Ducts Or Conduits Patents (Class 296/208)
-
Patent number: 8894135Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 25, 2013Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Kubota CorporationInventors: Manabu Togo, Koji Masumoto, Ryuji Kitagawa, Norihide Iwata, Kengo Satoh
-
Patent number: 8888174Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Timothy J. Roggenkamp, Alan V. Parrett
-
Patent number: 8870020Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 13, 2012Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Frank Eckstein, Hubertus Goesmann
-
Patent number: 8870266Abstract: A vehicle rear outlet structure includes: an outer member constituting an outer surface of a rear vehicle body and defining a flow path space inside of the vehicle body; and a protrusion portion provided on an outer surface of the outer member to protrude in an outboard direction. The outer member is provided with an air outlet opening through which the flow path space and a space outside of the vehicle body communicate with each other. The protrusion portion is arranged forward of the air outlet opening in the vehicle longitudinal direction and continuously in a vertical direction of the vehicle, such that the flow of air flowing along the outer surface of the outer member sucks out air in the flow path space through the air outlet opening to an outboard side thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2011Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yusuke Iinuma, Hideyuki Kawamata, Makoto Iijima
-
Patent number: 8864217Abstract: A panel element is provided for arrangement on a water box of a front wall of a motor vehicle body, with a fastening edge for forming a fastening of the panel element arranged upstream of the water box in travelling direction of the motor vehicle and adjoining the water box and with at least one water-conducting depression for the controlled discharge of accumulating water.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2012Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Joerg Schneider, Joachim Lacroix
-
Patent number: 8857900Abstract: A water box, in particular for a motor vehicle, is provided. The water box includes a back wall, which rises from a lower side up to below a front window frame from where it continues as a covering the longitudinal direction of which is arranged transversely to a traveling direction in order to create an impact protection, and a front wall, which extends from the lower side in the direction of an engine compartment. The back wall, the covering and the front wall are embodied unitarily. A method for producing a water box is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2012Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Marc Juettner, Juergen Vollhardt
-
Publication number: 20140252792Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Timothy J. Roggenkamp, Alan V. Parrett
-
Patent number: 8821225Abstract: Condensation is suppressed from developing on a front face of an instrument panel main body. A instrument panel of the present invention is configured including: an instrument panel main body formed with a center air conditioning outlet and a center defroster outlet; a first panel that is joined to the instrument panel main body and is formed with a top side wall section that configures the vehicle top-bottom direction top side of a center air conditioning duct and a first wall section that configures part of a center defroster duct; and a second panel that is joined to the instrument panel main body and is formed with a bottom side wall section that configures the center air conditioning duct in combination with the top side wall section and a second wall section that configures the center defroster duct in combination with the first wall section.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2010Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takashi Niwa, Yasunobu Yamazaki, Toru Kondo
-
Patent number: 8783762Abstract: For facilitating mounting of a head section of a sleeve, which is used for guiding a line, in a mounting opening, a reinforcing part is provided. The reinforcing part is placed in the radial direction on the line only after the guiding-through of the line and the insertion of the head section in the mounting opening. The reinforcing part is divided at least into two mutually displaceable sections. After the placing of the reinforcing part on the line, the two sections of the reinforcing part are guided together. Subsequently, the reinforcing part is inserted in the axial direction into the head section of the sleeve. By use of the reinforcing part, the sealing effect of the sleeve is improved, and a twisting of the sleeve in the mounting opening is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2012Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Manfred Gaemmerler, Michael Gabriel, Johann Brunner
-
Patent number: 8777301Abstract: An instrument panel arrangement for a motor vehicle is provided. The instrument panel arrangement includes an instrument panel and a ventilation duct housing connected to the instrument panel. A middle region of the ventilation duct housing has, in an impact direction, a flexibility that is at least as great as 0.8 times a flexibility of the instrument panel.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2012Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Stefan Lummitsch, Andreas Marutschke
-
Patent number: 8740293Abstract: An acoustic insulator assembly for disposition adjacent a rear wall of a vehicle body, between the rear wall and a trim panel includes a substrate formed as a single unit from an acoustic fiber. The substrate includes a first portion, a second portion and a living hinge interconnecting the first portion and the second portion. The second portion is rotated about the living hinge into interlocking engagement with the first portion to define at least one air pocket with at least one baffle. The air pocket and the baffle limiting sound intrusion between a pressure relief valve in the wall of the body and a passenger compartment of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2013Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Joseph Hayes
-
Publication number: 20140117722Abstract: A drainage device is provided for a motor vehicle, which serves for discharging liquid out of the water box of a motor vehicle. The drainage device includes, but is not limited to a line portion, which is at least partially incorporated in an insulating structure for the front wall of the motor vehicle. A motor vehicle is also provided with a water box and a drainage device that is fluidically connected to the water box.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2013Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Joachim LACROIX
-
Patent number: 8695742Abstract: A vehicle includes a body outer panel; a battery; a second seat including a seatback; a seatbelt apparatus including a webbing; and a side trim positioned behind the seatback of the second seat in a vehicle front-rear direction. The side trim includes an insertion opening through which the webbing of the seatbelt apparatus is inserted, an exhaust opening through which exhaust air after cooling the battery is discharged into a space between the side trim and the body outer panel, and an inlet opening which is positioned behind the insertion opening in the vehicle front-rear direction, and through which the exhaust air in the space is drawn into a vehicle room.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Motor East Japan, Inc.Inventors: Atsuhisa Fujita, Kazuyuki Ueno
-
Patent number: 8684446Abstract: An energy-saving vehicle including a housing, a pair of front wheels, a pair of rear wheels, and a steering wheel. The housing includes an outer portion, an inner portion, an air-flow channel, at least a first air inlet, and at least an air outlet. The air-flow channel is disposed between the outer portion and the inner portion of the housing. The first air inlet is disposed in the front of the vehicle. The air outlet is disposed at the back of the vehicle. The first air inlet and the air outlet are connected to the air-flow channel. The front wheels and the rear wheels are driven by a power unit. The length of the air-flow channel is no less than that of the upper portion of the housing. The vehicle consumes less energy and travels more stably compared to conventional vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2013Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Inventor: Xiaoyi Zhu
-
Patent number: 8668245Abstract: A front underfloor structure of a vehicle (EV) includes a protruding member protruding downward from a front underfloor surface of the vehicle, and redirects a flow of traveling air that flows around a front underfloor while traveling. The protruding member is configured as a protruding member with curved surface (31) disposed at a position closer to the vehicle front than front tires (1L, 1R) and in a central portion of the front underfloor straddling a vehicle center line (CL). The protruding member with curved surface (31) has a circumference of protrusion in a vehicle longitudinal direction that is longest at the position of the vehicle center line (CL), and the circumference of protrusion in the vehicle longitudinal direction becomes gradually shorter with increasing distance from the vehicle center line (CL) on both sides in a vehicle width direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2011Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takeshi Kakiuchi, Masahiro Ataka, Youhei Ogawa, Kazuaki Nakajima, Yuji Ishihara
-
Patent number: 8668254Abstract: A vehicle underfloor structure includes under covers (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) that cover an underside of a vehicle, and drain members (D) provided in the under covers (3, 4, 5, 6, 7). The drain members (D) each include: a front inclined wall (21) provided with a water drain opening (33, 34, 42, 43, 44, 72, 74); and a rear inclined wall (22). A recess is formed in each under cover in a front-back direction of the vehicle in such a manner that a first interior angle (?1) formed by the front inclined wall is larger than a second interior angle (?2) formed by the rear inclined wall and a length of the front inclined wall is different from a length of the rear inclined wall.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2011Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takeshi Onodera, Yasutsune Terashima
-
Patent number: 8641134Abstract: An air duct for an automotive vehicle is blow molded with an elongated, hollow structural member to be used as a portion of a body of the vehicle. The structural member has an inner wall defining an elongated cavity communicating with first and second access holes at respective longitudinal positions along the structural member. A parison comprised of a thermally insulating material is inserted into the internal cavity. A source of inflation gas is connected to a mouth portion or the parison. The parison is heated and inflated within the internal cavity to an expanded shape to form the air duct disposed against the inner wall and spanning the first and second access holes. The air duct at one of the access holes is configured as an air inlet. The air duct at the other one of the access holes is configured as an air outlet.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2012Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert S. Sawyer, Mukesh Kumar, Martha E. Nefcy
-
Publication number: 20140015286Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Inventor: Joachim Lacroix
-
Patent number: 8616619Abstract: A suction duct (19) provided in a floor member (9) comprises an internal air duct portion (20) connected to the internal air inlet port (10A3), an external air duct portion (21) connected to an external air inlet port (10E3), and a common duct portion (22) for connecting the internal air duct portion (20) and the external air duct portion (21) to a blower fan 18B suction side of an air conditioner unit (18). The suction duct is constructed to form a hollow column (23) having a hollow closed section structure with the internal air duct portion and the common duct portion formed integrally in the upper and lower directions. Therefore, the hollow column formed of the hollow closed section structure can increase strength of the floor member as a strong column while circulating internal air between the internal air inlet port and the air conditioner unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shougo Kimura, Hajime Ishii, Hiroshi Tabeta
-
Patent number: 8608239Abstract: A precipitation management system for mobile equipment with multiple modules is provided. The precipitation management system may include a water-resistant seal coupled to a first module, and a seal housing bracket coupled to a second module. The precipitation management system may also include a seal housing assembly configured to receive the water-resistant seal. The seal housing assembly may have two sides, a first side coupled to the first module, and a second side coupled to the seal housing bracket. The water-resistant seal may be disposed within the seal housing assembly, and the precipitation management system may be configured to deter liquid from entering the mobile equipment.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2012Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLCInventors: Andrew F. Lawson, Douglas F. Zahn
-
Publication number: 20130306389Abstract: Vehicle wheels may be equipped with a stator and rotor to induce current to generate electricity as the vehicle wheels rotate or to slow down the vehicle wheels in response to the application of a brake of the vehicle. Air may be sucked through the vehicle wheels through mesh screens to create air flow that passes through ductwork to reach a turbine generator, which generates electricity in response to blade rotation from air flow. A roof mounted solar energy conversion system may generate electricity. A vehicle power supply boosts its energy from all the electricity generated.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2012Publication date: November 21, 2013Inventor: Krassimire Penev
-
Patent number: 8550510Abstract: A vehicle bumper is provided that can increase the rigidity while ensuring a superior drainage capability in the vicinity of the location where the bumper is attached to a side face member. A vehicle bumper includes a middle portion extending in vehicle width direction, two lateral portions extending from the two ends of the middle portion towards side face members (front fender panels), an upper flange protruding inward, with respect to a vehicle body, from an upper edge of the lateral portions, an attachment flange that is continuous with the upper flange near an end of the lateral portions and protruding further inside the vehicle body than the upper flange, a long groove formed by a depression in an upper face of the upper flange, at least one rib that partitions the long groove in vehicle width direction into depressions, and water drainage holes formed in the depressions.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2012Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Suzuki Motor CorporationInventors: Hiroo Mizoguchi, Yusuke Yamashita
-
Publication number: 20130257106Abstract: An air duct for an automotive vehicle is blow molded with an elongated, hollow structural member to be used as a portion of a body of the vehicle. The structural member has an inner wall defining an elongated cavity communicating with first and second access holes at respective longitudinal positions along the structural member. A parison comprised of a thermally insulating material is inserted into the internal cavity. A source of inflation gas is connected to a mouth portion or the parison. The parison is heated and inflated within the internal cavity to an expanded shape to form the air duct disposed against the inner wall and spanning the first and second access holes. The air duct at one of the access holes is configured as an air inlet. The air duct at the other one of the access holes is configured as an air outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Robert S. Sawyer, Mukesh Kumar, Martha E. Nefcy
-
Publication number: 20130257107Abstract: A wiper blade for a windscreen wiper of a motor vehicle includes a clamp for fixing a wiping element that wipes the screen during the wiping operation of the windscreen wiper. The clamp has a base plate with at least one contact element. The contact element is to be brought against a water deflector that restricts the wiping movement of the wiper blade during the wiping operation. The contact element is a cushioning element, which has a higher level of flexibility than the base plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2011Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: DAIMLER AGInventors: Andreas Zygan, Uwe Renz, Christina Nestler, Alexander Mittler
-
Patent number: 8544583Abstract: A cooling airflow intake structure that can efficiently channel an airflow for cooling from outside a vehicle to a body to be cooled is obtained. The cooling airflow intake structure includes: a power unit that generates a driving force for an automobile to travel; an undercover that covers, from a vehicle underside, a power unit chamber in which the power unit is placed; a cooling unit that is placed on a vehicle rear side of the power unit; a first duct that channels air to the cooling unit from a first inlet port that is formed opening toward a road surface in the undercover; and a second duct that channels air to the cooling unit from a second inlet port that is formed opening toward a vehicle front side in a bumper cover. The second duct is disposed between the power unit and the undercover in a vehicle vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2010Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Satoshi Ajisaka
-
Publication number: 20130249251Abstract: An air guide structure for a saddle type vehicle by which influence of exhaust air from a radiator on a fuel tank can be reduced effectively. A fuel tank is formed with a tank extension section extending to above the upper end of the radiator. A front wall of the tank extension section is inclined forward by obliquely extending rearwardly downward. A front lower cover disposed forwardly of the radiator and rearwardly of a front wheel is provided. The front lower cover is provided with a radiator opening section having a plurality of openings for guiding airflow to the radiator, and with a fuel tank opening section for guiding the airflow to the fuel tank inclusive of the tank extension section.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Masanori Nakamura, Hiroyuki Sasazawa
-
Patent number: 8540304Abstract: A rear aerodynamic device for a vehicle and vehicle equipped with such a device are provided. The aerodynamic device can be fastened under a rear end of a vehicle frame of a cargo body of an industrial vehicle, behind the wheels. It includes a nozzle having an inlet positioned on a lateral external face of the device and capable of canalising air flowing along the vehicle and an outlet positioned at the rear part of the device and capable of ejecting the air flow underneath a vehicle rear face.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2008Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Renault TrucksInventor: Laurent Kint
-
Patent number: 8534740Abstract: A motorcycle of a type having its front region covered with a fairing has an outer side surface of the fairing formed with a guide groove extending from a location in the vicinity of a front end of the fairing to a location downwardly of a grip of a handlebar then held at the zero steering angle. The guide groove guides the incoming air towards a position forwardly of and in the vicinity of the grip and then deflects the incoming air at the position forwardly of and in the vicinity of the grip so that the incoming air can be guided outside the motorcycle body.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2012Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masashi Yamada
-
Patent number: 8528965Abstract: The operator's cab 8 is provided with a floor frame 10 having an opening for maintenance 20 located at a floor base 10a and a lid body 23 for closing the opening for maintenance 20. The lid body 23 includes an upper inspection cover 22 and a lower inspection cover 21 which are aligned in a vertical direction with spacing so as to be attachable and detachable relative to the opening for maintenance 20. Disposed in a space between the upper inspection cover 22 and the lower inspection cover 21 is a floor duct 30 that can be disassembled and is provided for circulating supply air sent from an air conditioner 27.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2010Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.Inventors: Kouji Nagami, Makoto Yomogita, Masamichi Miyazaki, Shinji Hirose
-
Patent number: 8485593Abstract: A drain plug includes a head part arranged on a peripheral edge of a drain hole from a front side, and an engaging leg engaged with the peripheral edge of the drain hole from a back side. The engaging leg includes a frame wall extending in a direction in which a space between a pair of panels forming a body panel is widened; an opening part facing the a connecting part of the pair of panels of the body panel; engaging parts formed on both side walls of the frame wall, to be engaged with the peripheral edge of the drain hole from the back side; and a guide surface formed on a front wall of the frame wall, to guide the engaging parts to pass through the drain hole.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2010Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Piolax Inc.Inventors: Atsushi Ogawa, Tomoki Yamaguchi, Hajime Saito, Toshiya Ohba
-
Patent number: 8480166Abstract: An air duct for a vehicle includes a housing and a ductile member. The housing is formed from a first extrudable material having a first elastic modulus, and a second extrudable material having a second elastic modulus that is different from the first. The housing has a central longitudinal axis, defines a cavity therethrough along the axis, and is transitionable from a preform configuration in which the axis is substantially straight, to an installation configuration in which the axis is tortuous. The ductile member is embedded within the housing and is formed from a third extrudable material having a third elastic modulus that is greater than each of the first and second. The ductile member is bendable to transition the housing from the preform configuration to the installation configuration and is configured for retaining the housing in the installation configuration. A vehicle includes the air duct.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2012Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Michael J. Readwin, Richard E. Bartos, Michael G. Leffert, Michael E. Nishek
-
Patent number: 8469434Abstract: In a saddle-type vehicle having a structure for guiding a flow of air toward the rear side of a screen, to provide a technology by which thermal influences on the rider can be alleviated. A screen stay is integrally provided at its lower portion with a bridge-like section spaced upward from a front cover, and has left and right connection sections extending in the vehicle width direction from the bridge-like section and connected to the side of a body frame at positions on outer sides relative to a fork member in the vehicle width direction. This ensures that the flow of air guided in via a flow of air guide section is permitted to flow between an upper edge of the front cover and the bridge-like section toward the vehicle rear side. A meter for indicating operating conditions of the vehicle is supported on the screen stay.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2011Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroaki Tsukui, Yoshitaka Suzuki
-
Patent number: 8459727Abstract: A tractor cab has a floor (12) at least part of which is of a double layer construction having an upper layer (12a) and a lower layer (12b) spaced vertically below the upper layer to define a cavity (29,30) between the layers. The cavity being used for a) the passage of air associated with heating, ventilating, demisting or air conditioning the cab and/or b) the passage of electrical wiring or hydraulic pipes and hoses and/or c) the storage of fluids or other materials or equipment. Part of the floor supports an HVAC unit (11) whose output is directed between the upper and lower layers. The upper layer (12a) includes output apertures (27a, 28a) through which air from the HVAC unit can be discharged or recirculated.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2009Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: AGCO GmbHInventors: Stefan Mayr, Roland Pest, Hermann Geiss, Andreas Stieglitz
-
Patent number: 8444216Abstract: A vehicle wiring structure equipped with a pipe (20), the two ends of which are inserted into the vehicle through an electrical-load-side through-hole and a power-source-side through-hole provided in the floor, and power cables (40a, 40b, 41), which are inserted in the pipe (20) and connect a power source and electrical loads. The power cables pulled out of the end part of the pipe (20) inserted through the power-source-side through-hole (60) are restrained by a first cable guide (70) provided inside the vehicle and are wired to a power source connection part, while the end part of the pipe (20) inserted through the power-source-side through-hole (60) reaches as far as the position where the first cable guide (70) is provided. The pipe (20) is supported by a through-hole seal member (61) that has a pipe through-hole (62) through which the pipe (20) passes and that closes the power-source-side through-hole (60).Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2009Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroo Yamaguchi, Harumi Takedomi
-
Publication number: 20130088050Abstract: An arrangement of a water box and a drain is provided for draining off water from a region between a windshield and an engine hood in a motor vehicle. The water box can include a depression with an upwardly directed water-directing region. The drain can include a drain valve housing with a drain valve. The drain valve of the drain is arranged above the water-directing region.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2012Publication date: April 11, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
-
Patent number: 8408635Abstract: An energy-saving vehicle including a housing, a pair of front wheels, a pair of rear wheels, and a steering wheel. The housing includes an outer portion, an inner portion, an air-flow channel, at least a first air inlet, and at least an air outlet. The air-flow channel is disposed between the outer portion and the inner portion of the housing. The first air inlet is disposed in the front of the vehicle. The air outlet is disposed at the back of the vehicle. The first air inlet and the air outlet are connected to the air-flow channel. The front wheels and the rear wheels are driven by a power unit. The length of the air-flow channel is no less than that of the upper portion of the housing. The vehicle consumes less energy and travels more stably compared to conventional vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Inventor: Xiaoyi Zhu
-
Patent number: 8366166Abstract: An air duct assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The air duct assembly can include a U-shaped duct having a center portion with a first air duct and a second air duct extending therefrom. In addition, the center portion of the U-shaped duct can have a flange attached to and extending outwardly therefrom, the flange having a predetermined thickness. The U-shaped duct attaches to a console within the motor vehicle, the console having a surface with a first arm and a second arm extending outwardly therefrom. The second arm can be oppositely disposed and spaced apart from the first arm a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance between the first and second arms extending from the console can be generally equal to the predetermined thickness of the flange extending from the center portion of the U-shaped duct, for the purpose of attaching the U-shaped duct to the console.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2008Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Lauren M. Abro
-
Patent number: 8336679Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle can include a brake actuator, an equalizer operably connected to the actuator, and two brake wires that are each connected to the equalizer and extend to first and second brake assemblies. The first and second brake wires can extend in a first direction extending from a front of the vehicle toward a rear of the vehicle. The first brake wire can cross over the second brake wire at least once and possibly twice, each time in a direction transverse to the first direction. Additionally, the first and second brake wires can each include a cover that protects a respective wire. The covers can be in contact with each other at the crossover point for the wires to minimize noise, friction and to improve operating ability and durability of the brake wires. The various features, such as the cross-over configuration, the contacting wires, and/or the covers, also make it possible to minimize the space requirements for the wires in the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2006Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Joseph Aaron Mears, Hiroki Ishikawa, Kevin Scott Katerberg
-
Patent number: 8322782Abstract: Generally provided is a roof-liner assembly for attaching a wire harness to a roof liner, the assembly having a wire harness that is attached to a roof liner by a harness clip and a harness-clip base, wherein the harness clip has a substantially closed-loop element that substantially surrounds the exterior surface of a wire-harness longitudinal section, and wherein the harness-clip base is secured to the roof liner.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2007Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mark Shallcross, Todd Hemmert, Saeed Namakydoost
-
Publication number: 20120292949Abstract: A panel element is provided for arrangement on a water box of a front wall of a motor vehicle body, with a fastening edge for forming a fastening of the panel element arranged upstream of the water box in travelling direction of the motor vehicle and adjoining the water box and with at least one water-conducting depression for the controlled discharge of accumulating water.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2012Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Joerg SCHNEIDER, Joachim LACROIX
-
Publication number: 20120286541Abstract: Provided is a protective structure for vehicle electrical components that can prevent the infiltration of water from above and more reliably protect electrical components (high-voltage electrical components). As a representative configuration of the present invention, a protective structure for vehicle electrical components for protecting an electrical component mounted on the vehicle floor panel includes a lid that covers the electrical component from above, and a front panel, rear panel, and pair of side panels that are arranged around the lid and parallel to an upper face of the lid, and the panels have gutter-shaped edges that support the periphery of the lid.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: Suzuki Motor CorporationInventor: Katsufumi KASHIWAGI
-
Patent number: 8308226Abstract: A storage panel assembly for a vehicle includes a panel having a louvered exterior and internal surfaces. A vent structure is formed on a portion of the panel. At least one jack wrench clip assembly is formed on the portion of the panel including the vent structure. The exterior louvered surface of the panel remains unblemished.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2009Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Frank Parkinson, Robert Charles Steinbrecher
-
Publication number: 20120280538Abstract: An instrument panel arrangement for a motor vehicle is provided. The instrument panel arrangement includes an instrument panel and a ventilation duct housing connected to the instrument panel. A middle region of the ventilation duct housing has, in an impact direction, a flexibility that is at least as great as 0.8 times a flexibility of the instrument panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Stefan LUMMITSCH, Andreas MARUTSCHKE
-
Patent number: 8297687Abstract: In a vehicle body for a motor vehicle, a crossbeam is situated between two longitudinal girders of a front frame. The crossbeam is formed from the vehicle front wall, the cover plate and the bulkhead plate. The bulkhead plate is led up to a plate of a wheel arch laterally outside the longitudinal girders. The vehicle body thus has a particularly high stability at a low weight.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Udo Mildner
-
Publication number: 20120248867Abstract: An electric component (electric-power convertor) and a pair of air-conditioning ducts are arranged side by side in a vehicle width direction. In case in which a rear end portion of the electric component is located in back of an outlet of the air-conditioning duct, the electric component is formed in a notch shape such that a duct-side edge portion thereof extends obliquely rearward and in a specified direction, in the vehicle width direction, away from the air-conditioning duct. Accordingly, it can be properly prevented that a conditioning air toward a passenger seated in a rear seat is blocked with the electric component arranged between a seat cushion of a front seat and a floor panel and receives any improper influence of heat emitted by the electric component, or the electric component receives any damage from the conditioning air.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventor: Yuki YOSHIDA
-
Publication number: 20120248824Abstract: There is provided a cooling air introduction apparatus for a vehicle. A space that communicates with air introduction ports that are respectively formed in a bumper face of a front bumper and a front grille is partitioned by a vertical partition member. A space that communicates with the air introduction ports that are formed in the bumper face is partitioned by a horizontal partition member. Thus, streams of introduced cooling air are guided to heat exchangers without interfering with each other. The partition members are provided such that a bumper beam moves backward without any trouble upon a light collision.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yuji FUJIU, Yoshiyuki Shimizu, Atsushi Koizumi, Shiro Hasegawa
-
Patent number: 8272685Abstract: An automotive vehicle seat back adapted for movement between an upright position and a lowered position has an air duct with an intake located adjacent an upper portion of the seat back and an outlet located adjacent a lower portion of the seat back. The air duct takes in ambient cabin air at its upper end and that air is directed to an electronics compartment located behind the seat in order to cool the electronics regardless of whether the seat back is in the raised or the lowered position.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2010Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Marc Jonathon Lucas, Louis Paspal, Neil Robert Burrows
-
Patent number: 8262156Abstract: A wire harness guide for accurate placement of a wire harness onto a component and protection of the wire harness from rubbing against a surface in near proximity thereof is provided. The wire harness guide can include an elongated bracket having a channel portion extending along a length of the bracket, the channel portion located between an upper flange and a lower flange. The upper flange can extend along at least a portion of the elongated bracket, as can the lower flange. A side wall can extend between the upper flange and the lower flange and a bend extending transversely across the elongated bracket can be present.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2010Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Marta Ann Fabiilli
-
Patent number: 8251135Abstract: The invention relates to a fixing device (8) for a expansion valve (4) of a motor vehicle air-conditioning system (1), said expansion valve (4) being connected to two lines (5, 6). The two lines (5, 6) are positioned in relation to each other by means of a line positioning element (7) which is embodied as a sheet metal stamped part, said line positioning element comprising two slits which are used to receive the lines. The expansion valve (4) can be arranged on the housing (2), with the aid of the line positioning element (7), and can be fixed in an at least rotationally fixed manner, wherein one part of the motor vehicle air-conditioning system (1) is arranged.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2004Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Frape Behr S.A.Inventors: Francesc Santanach, Jorge Guzman, José Cremades Blasco
-
Patent number: 8240750Abstract: An air duct system which mates an air duct attached to the roof of an automotive vehicle and an air duct attached to a nonexposed surface of a headliner is provided. The air duct system is attached to an air supply which delivers directed air and is disposed between an inner surface of the roof and the nonexposed surface of the headliner. The headliner includes an opening into the passenger compartment of the automotive vehicle. The air duct system includes a first air duct and a second air duct. The first air duct is attached to the inner surface of the roof, and the second air duct is attached to the nonexposed surface of the headliner. Upon installation of the headliner to the roof a portal on the first air duct registers with a portal on the second air duct so as to provide an air flow passage between said first air duct and said second air duct.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Adam Michael Ludwig, Jeff Charles Hills, Donald Federico