Roof Structure Patents (Class 296/210)
  • Patent number: 12134865
    Abstract: The disclosure refers to a road construction machine, adapted in particular in the form of a road paver or a feeder vehicle for a road paver. According to the disclosure, the road construction machine comprises a first and/or a second air barrier device adapted to shield a driver and/or an operator of the road construction machine. Furthermore, the disclosure refers to a corresponding method for generating an air flow during operation of a road construction machine in order to shield a driver and/or an operator from vapors and/or aerosols rising during operation of the road construction machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Joseph Voegele AG
    Inventors: Klaus Oettinger, Bastian Fleischer, Tobias Boellert, Daniel Draxler, Ingo Herzberg, Maximilian Theobald, Thomas Seither, Frank Grimm, Helmut Kessler, Johannes Pontius, Stefan Weber, Bernhard Erdtmann
  • Patent number: 12128831
    Abstract: A motor vehicle, in particular for a passenger car, having a support structure, a roof skin, which is disposed on the support structure, and at least one sensor module having at least one environment sensor for detecting a vehicle environment and having at least one housing for accommodating the environment sensor. The housing of the sensor module is disposed on the support structure and has a construction which collapses or is deformed when defined external forces are applied such that deformation forces, which are exerted by the sensor module on the support structure or on another roof module component, are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventor: Michael Huelsen
  • Patent number: 12084118
    Abstract: There is provided an assembly of a first panel (1) and a second panel (2), wherein a head end surface (12) of the first panel is connected to a side surface (22) of the second panel, the assembly having an L-shape or T-shape when seen in a cross sectional view. The panels are bonded using at least a first adhesive (4) having a first elastic modulus (?1) and a second adhesive (5) having a second elastic modulus (?2) that is lower than the first elastic modulus (?1). The first adhesive bonds the panels in a first region, and the second adhesive bonds the panels in a second region, wherein the second region is arranged next to the first region, when seen in the cross sectional view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: EBUSCO B.V.
    Inventors: Luit Cornelis Zwaneveld, Bob Henri Maria Jan Fleuren
  • Patent number: 12054101
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle roof top sensor module includes a shell attached to a roof of an autonomous vehicle. The shell includes a top panel, a bottom panel, and a front panel, which are connected together to define an interior, in which an internal sensor bracket is arranged to support a front middle portion of the top panel and provides a structure for mounting a sensor. The sensor is mounted on the sensor bracket and detects a characteristic of the autonomous vehicle or a characteristic of an environment surrounding the autonomous vehicle. The sensor bracket connects the front middle portion of the top panel to the bottom panel, and thus inhibits sagging of the top panel, and also provides a structure for mounting sensors in the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Maeda, Leo Nakamura
  • Patent number: 12043318
    Abstract: In a vehicle body structure, an end portion of a first vehicle body member having a plate shape is coupled to a second vehicle body member having a plate shape. The first vehicle body member is made of a first metal and the second vehicle body member is made of a second metal. The vehicle body structure includes a third vehicle body member made of the first metal. The third vehicle body member includes an interposed portion having general portions and a convex portion. The convex portion has a weld-joint portion configured to be joined to the end portion of the first vehicle body member by welding. Each of the general portion has a swage-joint portion configured to be swaged and jointed to the second vehicle body member in a circular shape viewed from a thickness direction, and a cutout portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignees: SUBARU CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuichi Nakagawa, Keisuke Yokota, Tsukasa Hoshino
  • Patent number: 12012027
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a plurality of ground engaging members and a frame supported by the plurality of ground engaging members. The frame assembly extends generally along a longitudinal axis of the utility vehicle. The utility vehicle further includes a front seating section coupled to the frame. The front seating section is configured to support an operator and a first passenger. Additionally, the utility vehicle includes a rear seating section coupled to the frame. The rear seating section is configured to support a second passenger and a third passenger. The rear seating section has an angled panel configured as a dead pedal for the second and third passengers, and a portion of the rear seating section extends forwardly into the front seating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Eric D. Bjerketvedt, Jordy A. Reed, Gordon J. Steinmetz, Andrew T. Ives, Aaron D. Deckard, Austin L. Houkom, Anthony J. Kinsman, Michael D. Schneider, James J. Endrizzi
  • Patent number: 11970213
    Abstract: A reinforcement, joined by welding to a vehicle structural member having a closed cross section, comprising a curved section at least in part of its length, a top wall having opposite edges, and a pair of lateral walls extending from the edges to form ridge lines, wherein the top wall and the lateral walls form a U-shaped cross section. The lateral wall includes a base surface and a plurality of welding projections at intervals along its length, each welding projection having a raised surface for welding. Each welding projection is raised from the base surface of the lateral wall toward the vehicle structural member. The lateral wall further includes a bead between the welding projections within a curved section to prevent or suppress wrinkles from forming during press forming. The bead is raised from the base surface of the lateral wall toward the vehicle structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: TOYODA IRON WORKS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Kosaka, Daisuke Teramoto, Masanori Izumoto, Katsuya Igarashi
  • Patent number: 11958345
    Abstract: Techniques for an augmented media experience in a vehicle cable include a first display surface positioned on a ceiling of the vehicle cabin, a second display surface positioned on the ceiling of the vehicle cabin, a memory storing a media application and a processor coupled to the memory. The first display surface is movable relative to the second display surface. The processor, when executing the media application performs the steps of deploying the first display surface to a deployed position where the first display surface is positioned between a first glass panel in a ceiling of the vehicle cabin and an interior of the vehicle cabin and displaying media content in the vehicle cabin using the first display surface and the second display surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Riley Winton, Gorm Jorgensen, Christopher Ludwig, Christopher Trestain
  • Patent number: 11951913
    Abstract: A roof module for forming a vehicle roof on a motor vehicle has a panel component whose outer surface at least partially forms the roof skin of the vehicle roof, the roof module has at least one environment sensor, and the environment sensor being configured to send and/or receive electromagnetic signals for detecting the vehicle environment, and the panel component being made of a material which is impermeable to the electromagnetic signals of the environment sensor. The panel component has at least one cutout through which the electromagnetic signals of the environment sensor can pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Michael Huelsen, Cèdric Langlais, Michael Mailhamer, Juraj Lehotsky, Dirk Legler, Michael Deppe, Max Huber
  • Patent number: 11932094
    Abstract: A passenger car includes a roof with a roof opening. A roof module is disposed in the roof opening where the roof opening is delimited by transverse elements and longitudinal elements. The roof module includes a module frame that includes longitudinal frame parts spaced apart from one another in a transverse direction of the passenger car and transverse frame parts spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal direction of the passenger car where the longitudinal frame parts are connected to one another by the transverse frame parts. One of the transverse frame parts is directly connected to one of the transverse elements such that a profile component is formed which has a closed hollow cross section where the one of the transverse elements forms a lower shell of the profile component and the one of the transverse frame parts forms an upper shell of the profile component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz Group AG
    Inventors: Achim Demmer, Detlev Penczek
  • Patent number: 11912222
    Abstract: An embodiment vehicle panel assembly includes an inner panel configured to wrap a roof and opposite pillars of a vehicle body, the inner panel including a second inner assembly portion provided at pillar-side opposite side parts and a guide portion provided at an upper side of the second inner assembly portion, and an outer panel configured to be loaded from above the inner panel and coupled to the inner panel to wrap an outside of the inner panel, the outer panel including a second outer assembly portion provided at a side part, the second outer assembly portion configured to be guided downwards by the guide portion when loaded from above and facing the second inner assembly portion after loading, wherein the second outer assembly portion is fastened to the second inner assembly portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Hyun Cheol Yun, Dong Ho Kang, Jin Young Mo
  • Patent number: 11897389
    Abstract: A mold assembly, for an overhead console button carrier having a unitary body, includes a cavity side and a core side. The core side includes at least one zero draft core insert, a first buried retractor mechanism and a first slide mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Satyanarayana Raju Vemulapati, Todd Jared Konet, Derren Woods, Wei Xu, Alex Lince
  • Patent number: 11858621
    Abstract: A rotary blade aircraft includes an airframe, a rotor shaft driven about a rotor axis, and a plurality of rotor blades driven by the rotor shaft about the rotor axis. The rotary blade aircraft includes a swashplate assembly coupled to the plurality of rotor blades. The swashplate assembly is operable to move the plurality of rotor blades about a respective longitudinal axis. The rotary blade aircraft includes a hydraulic control servo coupled between the airframe and the swashplate assembly. The hydraulic control servo is operable to move the swashplate assembly relative to the rotor axis. The rotary blade aircraft includes a harmonic control actuator coupled between the airframe and the swashplate assembly. The harmonic control actuator is operable independently relative to the hydraulic control servo to move the swashplate assembly relative to the rotor axis to reduce vibration at selected frequencies in the airframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Welsh, Jason A. Satira
  • Patent number: 11858425
    Abstract: A vehicle sensor attaching structure in which a plurality of kinds of external sensors for detecting an external condition of a vehicle is attached on a roof of the vehicle, the vehicle sensor attaching structure including: a common sensor unit that is fixed to the roof of the vehicle and to which at least one kind of the external sensor is attached; and an option sensor unit that is attachable to the common sensor unit in at least two directions of a vehicle left side, a vehicle right side, a vehicle upper side, a vehicle front side, and a vehicle rear side, that is detachably attached to the common sensor unit, and to which at least one kind of the external sensor is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoya Higashimachi, Taro Hasegawa, Tsuyoshi Izuhara
  • Patent number: 11850987
    Abstract: The chassis assembly (3) includes a vehicle chassis (4) extending along a longitudinal direction (D1); a first supporting part (6) configured to support a first load unit (7.1) on a first longitudinal side (4.1) of the vehicle chassis (4); a second supporting part (8) configured to support a second load unit (7.2) on a second longitudinal side (4.2) of the vehicle chassis (4) opposite to the first longitudinal side (4.1); and a lifting device (5) secured to the vehicle chassis (4) and configured to lift up and down the first and second supporting parts (6, 8) with respect to the vehicle chassis (4) so as to vertically displace each of first and second load units (7.1, 7.2) supported by the first and second supporting parts (6, 8) between a loading/unloading position and a driving position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Denis Caux, Jean-Roch Barbier, Thierry Gronsfeld, Carole Fatet
  • Patent number: 11845494
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes: a roof panel, a rail disposed below the roof panel and extending in a left-right direction, a brace disposed below the roof panel and coupled to an end of the rail and extending from the rail toward in a front-rear direction, a reinforcing member reinforcing a connection portion where the rail is coupled to the brace. A first end of a main wall of the reinforcing member is welded to a first-end-side flange of the rail. A second end of the main wall is welded to a second-end-side flange of the rail and to an end of the brace on the first side in the front-rear direction. The reinforcing member includes flanges welded to the bottom wall of the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignees: SUBARU CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Keisuke Yokota
  • Patent number: 11845493
    Abstract: A body structure for a vehicle includes a roof side rail assembly, a vehicle pillar, a pillar reinforcement bracket and an intermediate reinforcement bracket. The roof side rail assembly includes an attachment plate and a rail secured to the attachment plate and configured to extend along a length of the vehicle. The vehicle pillar extends downward from the attachment plate. The pillar reinforcement bracket is secured to the rail and at least partially disposed within the vehicle pillar. The pillar reinforcement bracket includes a lower portion. The intermediate reinforcement bracket is disposed within and secured to the vehicle pillar. The intermediate reinforcement bracket also includes a connecting wall that is secured to the lower portion of the pillar reinforcement bracket. The connecting wall extends parallel to a surface of the attachment plate where the rail is secured to the attachment plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Prescott Hickey
  • Patent number: 11813992
    Abstract: A roof module for forming a vehicle roof on a motor vehicle, the roof module having a panel component whose outer surface at least partially forms the roof skin of the vehicle roof, the roof module having at least one environment sensor configured to send and/or receive electromagnetic signals for detecting the vehicle surroundings. The environment sensor can be disposed below the roof skin formed by the panel component, the roof module having at least one support module, and at least two environment sensors being jointly mounted on the support module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Michael Huelsen, Cédric Langlais, Michael Mailhamer, Juraj Lehotsky
  • Patent number: 11813923
    Abstract: A riding vehicle is provided with a downdraft fan assembly mounted on a vehicle roll bar for providing a flow of ambient air over the vehicle operator and a canopy carried by the fan assembly and providing solar and precipitation protection for the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Accu-Form Polymers, Inc.
    Inventor: William Russ
  • Patent number: 11801899
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle roof, the system includes a roof structure defining a roof opening and a functional type roof assembly, the functional type roof assembly including a functional type panel and an intermediate frame supporting the functional type panel, the intermediate frame having an outer peripheral edge configured to be mounted to the roof structure such that the roof opening is watertightly sealed by the functional type roof assembly, the outer peripheral edge of the intermediate frame having contour features consistent with those of an outer peripheral edge of a standard type panel, the outer peripheral edge of the standard type panel being configured to be mounted to the roof structure when the roof opening is watertightly sealed by the standard type panel in place of the functional type roof assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Hakan Runius, Malin Aronsson
  • Patent number: 11794666
    Abstract: A roof for a motor vehicle, in particular for a passenger car, the roof having a support structure, a roof skin at least partially covering the support structure, roof side beams which are part of a vehicle body, and at least one sensor module having an environment sensor for detecting a vehicle environment. The sensor module may be disposed on the support structure and is for a large part located below a reference roof indentation plane which is in tangential contact with one of the roof side beams and inclined relative to a horizontal plane by a first angle (?) in the transverse direction of the roof and by a second angle (?) in the longitudinal direction of the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventor: Michael Huelsen
  • Patent number: 11787273
    Abstract: A roof module for a vehicle roof of a passenger vehicle includes a module frame which includes a front module frame transverse element, a rear module frame transverse element, a first lateral module frame longitudinal element, and a second lateral module frame longitudinal element, where the first and the second lateral module frame longitudinal elements connect the front and the rear module frame transverse elements to each other. A cover element is mounted on the module frame. The front module frame transverse element is a first shell element and the first shell element is connectable to a second shell element of a roof frame of the vehicle roof. When the first shell element is connected to the second shell element they together form a roof crossmember of the vehicle roof which encloses a cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Achim Demmer, Eberhard Benz
  • Patent number: 11731705
    Abstract: A roof module for an autonomous vehicle comprising: an electronic unit containing a number of electronic components and/or environment recognition sensors; a carrier unit for accommodating the electronic unit; and fastening means for fastening the electronic unit to the carrier unit; wherein the carrier unit is designed as a roof structure component which can be fastened directly to a lateral body framework component and/or to a front body framework component and/or to a rear body framework component of the vehicle via fastening means and which forms a load-hearing receptacle for a roof outer skin of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: HBPO GmbH
    Inventors: Jonathan Friedrich, Steffen Hoewelkroeger, Tobias Tegethoff
  • Patent number: 11731555
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a roof panel, an opening defined by the roof panel and a movable panel assembly that is configured to move between a closed position and an open position with respect to the opening. A first track is located above the roof panel at a first lateral side of the movable panel, and a second track located above the roof panel at a second lateral side of the movable panel, wherein the movable panel is supported by the first track and the second track for movement between the closed position and the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Philipp J. Wolf, Samuel G. Fowle, Donald R. Monroe, John Raff, Antonio B. Martinez, Albert J. Golko, Ali Tavakoli Targhi, David J. Donohue, David E. Kingman, Ibuki Kamei
  • Patent number: 11685337
    Abstract: An airbag apparatus for protecting a pedestrian. An unfolded airbag cushion includes a roof chamber part unfolded to cover a front part of a roof panel, left and right pillar chamber parts unfolded to cover front pillars, and a windshield chamber part unfolded to cover the entire surface of a windshield glass. The airbag apparatus is configured to protect the head and upper body of the pedestrian maximally and efficiently by using the roof chamber part, the pillar chamber parts, the windshield chamber part in a contact accident between a vehicle and a pedestrian and a cyclist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seok Min Lee, Seok Hoon Ko
  • Patent number: 11648986
    Abstract: A vehicle roof having a fixed roof element having a glass, plastic or sheet metal panel provided with a circumferential molded section which is formed by a section foam molded to an edge or a section injection molded to the edge. A circumferential frame-like connecting plate may be fastened to the glass, plastic or sheet metal panel by means of the molded section and has a circumferential adhesive surface for attaching the fixed roof element to a vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Kevin Schluse, Guido Bott, Bernhard Harnischfeger, Peter Strohmayr
  • Patent number: 11648987
    Abstract: A resin roof is provided with a roof main body including an outer layer and an inner layer. The outer layer structures a roof panel of a vehicle. The inner layer is provided in a predetermined region that excludes a peripheral edge portion of the outer layer. A first joining portion is provided at the peripheral edge portion of the outer layer and is joined by a first adhesive to a first joined portion that is provided at a vehicle body side first base member. A second joining portion is provided at the inner layer and is joined by a second adhesive to a second joined portion that is provided at a vehicle body side second base member. One of the first adhesive or the second adhesive is configured with higher adaptability than another of the first adhesive or the second adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kouichirou Ueno, Taichi Minei, Masaro Kimba
  • Patent number: 11630365
    Abstract: An electrochromic element including: a laminated body including a support formed of a resin, a first electrode layer, an electrochromic layer, and a second electrode layer, the support, the first electrode layer, the electrochromic layer, and the second electrode layer being disposed in the laminated body in this order; and a gel electrolyte disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, wherein a phase separation temperature of the gel electrolyte is higher than a softening point of the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Keiichiroh Yutani, Fuminari Kaneko, Yuto Matsuoka, Kayato Ohya, Tohru Yashiro, Tomoo Fukuda, Takashi Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 11618507
    Abstract: The laminated glass panoramic roof is a popular although expensive option offered on a growing number of automobiles. Much of its appeal comes from the sleek modern appearance that it gives to the vehicle. The opaque laminated vehicle roof, by removing vision and optical requirements can be produced at a lower cost. The opaque laminated roof, by retaining a glass outer surface, maintains the same exterior appearance, aesthetic and much of the appeal of a conventional laminated glass panoramic roof. The opaque laminated vehicle roof also allows for the use of alternate materials which can further reduce cost and weight while adding additional features such as installation hardware, fasteners, lighting, antennas and solar cells to the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: AGP America S.A.
    Inventors: Mario Arturo Mannheim Astete, Charles Stephen Voeltzel, Juan Pablo Suarez
  • Patent number: 11597443
    Abstract: A vehicle frame structural member assembly method includes an elongated frame member and a reinforcement member. The reinforcement member is complementarily arranged adjacent the elongated frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Eric J. Boettcher
  • Patent number: 11566464
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a drive arrangement for a flap of a motor vehicle, comprising a linear drive for producing drive movements and comprising a transmission arrangement, which is coupled to said linear drive, for transmitting the drive movements, a compensating arrangement being provided which couples two drive elements of the drive arrangement to each other in terms of drive, and, when a limit load between the two drive elements is exceeded, the compensating arrangement permitting a guided compensating movement between the two drive elements. It is proposed that the transmission arrangement provides the compensating arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Michael Wittelsbuerger, Harald Krueger, Matthias Fischer, Andreas Gutgesell
  • Patent number: 11556132
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes: an electronic control system for automatic driving; and a cabin with which a boarding space is formed. The electronic control system includes an antenna unit for satellite navigation, and the antenna unit is attached to a central area of a roof of the cabin in a left-right direction. An upper surface of an area of the roof around the antenna unit is formed so as to be an inclined surface that is inclined in a front-rear direction. Left and right end portions of the roof are provided with left and right bulging edge portions that bulge upward from the left and right end portions and have a length that spans between front and rear ends of the roof, and water drain grooves that guide water on the roof toward the left and right bulging edge portions such that water detours the antenna unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keishiro Nishi, Atsushi Shinkai, Tomofumi Fukunaga, Takahiro Nakatsuka, Yushi Matsuzaki, Kazuo Sakaguchi, Takafumi Morishita
  • Patent number: 11511810
    Abstract: Provided is a method for assembling a vehicle roof structure capable of suppressing occurrence of distortion of a roof panel. The method includes an application portion forming step, a roof panel disposing step, a roof panel mechanically fixing step, and a mastic adhesive curing step. In the application portion forming step, a plurality of application portions is formed such that among the plurality of application portions, a central application portion disposed at a center of a cross member in a vehicle width direction has a length that is shorter than a length of an end-side application portion disposed on opposite sides of the center in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masayoshi Asai, Masaki Nitta, Koji Amemiya, Yusaku Hamuro, Kazuhiro Morita
  • Patent number: 11453333
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a moodroof media application provides media content into a vehicle cabin. In operation, the moodroof media application determines at least one state associated with the vehicle cabin based on sensor data from at least one sensor. The moodroof media application then receives media content associated with the at least one state. The moodroof media application further causes visual content associated with the media content to be displayed on at least one display surface positioned on a ceiling of the vehicle cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Riley Winton, Gorm Jorgensen, Christopher Ludwig, Christopher Trestain
  • Patent number: 11376933
    Abstract: A sunroof panel for a vehicle includes a mounting surface at which a first roof element is mounted, a first frame including a first plate that includes a first mounting surface, the first frame including a first stepped plate that extends from a longitudinal end portion of the first plate to generate a step relative to the first plate, a second frame including a second plate that includes a second mounting surface, a joining portion joining the first frame and the second frame in a state where the first stepped plate and an end portion of the second plate overlap each other to cause the first mounting surface and the second mounting surface to be coplanar with each other, and a film attached to the first mounting surface and the second mounting surface to cover a gap formed between the first plate and the second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Aisin Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotaka Yoshikawa, Makoto Muranaka, Tatsuya Matsui, Satoshi Kono
  • Patent number: 11346379
    Abstract: An article-fixing device includes an adjustment mechanism and a protruding portion. The adjustment mechanism is interposed between a first plate and a second plate and is joined to a lower surface side of the first plate. The protruding portion is provided integrally with the adjustment mechanism. The protruding portion fixes an article to an upper surface of the first plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazunori Hida
  • Patent number: 11325666
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an aluminum alloy vehicle body includes the following steps: vehicle body part molding, including: profile stretch-bending and machining; vehicle body frame assembly welding, including: performing assembly welding on a lower vehicle body, left and right side panels, and front and rear roof crossbeams; outer panel manufacturing, including: manufacturing an outer panel by injection molding; and whole vehicle assembling, including: assembling interior trim parts and the outer panel to a vehicle body frame, and assembling chassis parts to the vehicle body frame. The vehicle body parts and the vehicle body frame are made of an aluminum alloy material, and the outer panel is made of a non-metallic composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Chery New Energy Automobile Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Weidong Mao, Junfeng Zhou, Chengwen Wang, Xinwen Xi, Fagui Wu, Hao Yuan, Yajun Lu, Qiang Tang
  • Patent number: 11318996
    Abstract: A vehicle roof structure includes a roof bow, a vibration dampening plate and a weighted member attached to the vibration dampening plate. The roof bow has a forward flange section, a rearward flange section and a central section, the central section defining a recessed area. The vibration dampening plate is installed to an upper surface of the roof bow proximate the central section. A weighted member is fixedly attached to a lower surface of the vibration dampening plate such that the weighted member is at a level above the upper surface of the recessed area of the roof bow and has a non-contacting relationship with the roof bow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignees: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC., NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Gouma, Patrick Grattan
  • Patent number: 11235701
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a roof, an opening in the roof, and a window that is located forward from the opening, wherein the window has an upper end and the window is free from non-translucent structures near the upper end. A movable panel is connected to the roof for movement forward and rearward relative to the roof between a closed position and an open position. A seal is connected to the movable panel. The seal engages the window when the movable panel is in the closed position and the seal is disengaged from the window when the movable panel is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Philipp J. Wolf, Samuel G. Fowle, Donald R. Monroe, John Raff, Antonio B. Martinez, Albert J. Golko, Ali Tavakoli Targhi, David J. Donohue, David E. Kingman, Ibuki Kamei
  • Patent number: 10933834
    Abstract: A vehicle roof structure includes a reinforcement extending in a width direction of a vehicle between two roof side rails on the opposite sides in the width direction. The load transmission member includes a first coupling portion that couples the load transmission member to the reinforcement and a second coupling portion that couples the load transmission member to one of the roof side rails. A load transmission portion is located between the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion when the load transmission member is viewed in the front-to-rear direction. The load transmission portion includes a part extending straight in the width direction. An inflator supporting portion extends from the load transmission portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akira Chiba, Yoshio Ichishita, Takafumi Hasegawa, Toyohisa Kodama
  • Patent number: 10882563
    Abstract: An anti-flutter structure, or reinforcement panel, for a roof panel supported on transversely extending roof bows. The reinforcement panel is attached to at least one of the roof bows with the flanges being disposed above the roof bow. The flanges extend longitudinally, and are resiliently compressed by the roof panel. The reinforcement panel has a body and flanges laterally flanking the body. The body is attached to one of the roof bows with the flanges being disposed above the roof bow. The anti-flutter material is disposed between the flanges and the roof panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Edgar Edward Donabedian, Darrin Neil Wagner
  • Patent number: 10800346
    Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a vehicle body including two roof rails spaced from one another. The vehicle assembly further includes a roof panel which is releasably attached to the vehicle body. The roof panel extends from one roof rail to the other roof rail. The roof panel defines a sensor window. An object-detection sensor is aligned with the sensor window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Taylor, Robert McPhail, Martyn Swain, Geoff John Cooper, Venkatesh Krishnan
  • Patent number: 10745053
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle body upper section structure including: a pair of roof side rails that are spaced apart in a vehicle width direction and that extend along a vehicle front-rear direction; a roof reinforcement that extends along the vehicle width direction between the pair of roof side rails; extensions that each join a vehicle vertical direction lower side of a respective one of the pair of roof side rails to a respective vehicle width direction inward side of the roof reinforcement; and a beaded section that is provided at each extension, the beaded section projecting toward a lower side in the vehicle vertical direction and extending in the vehicle width direction such that a projection depth of the beaded section toward the lower side becomes deeper on progression from an inner side toward an outer side in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shin Terada, Hiroyuki Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 10737639
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle trim bar, in particular a roof trim bar, for covering a channel, in particular a roof channel, in a vehicle structure having a trim bar profile which is formed with a fixing leg for fixing the vehicle trim bar within the channel to the vehicle structure and a support leg for supporting the vehicle trim bar on a channel bottom of the channel, the support leg being formed with a support web which projects from the trim bar profile in a manner extending along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle trim bar and which is manufactured from a plastic material. Furthermore, the invention relates to a fixing arrangement for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising such a vehicle trim bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: MOTHERSON INNOVATIONS CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Peter Wittmann
  • Patent number: 10699687
    Abstract: A motor vehicle roof shell having a rigid composite component having an inner side facing a vehicle interior, and an acoustic insulation layer disposed on the inner side of the composite component. The panel-type rigid composite component has at least one tray-like recess on its inner side, said recess being filled with an open-pored foam material which forms the acoustic insulation layer and whose surface is flush with a surface of the composite component surrounding the recess. A motor vehicle roof shell motor vehicle having a panel-type rigid composite component having an inner side, which faces the vehicle interior, and an acoustic insulation layer disposed on the inner side of the composite component, wherein the acoustic insulation layer is formed by at least one rigid-foam or semi-rigid-foam plate which is bonded to the inner side of the composite component and compressed that its volume is reduced compared to preassembly state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Matthias Baumann, Matthias Altendorfner
  • Patent number: 10688936
    Abstract: A roof rail (20) is adapted to be attached to the roof (21) of a vehicle, to allow items to be carried on the roof via a crossbar (22) clamped thereto. The roof rail (20) includes a trim attachment portion (23), to which a trim (24) formed of brightware or the like can be attached. The trim attachment portion (23) extends between a top wall and a projecting portion of an outboard sidewall of the rail (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: BENTLEY MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventor: Iain Tough
  • Patent number: 10543776
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a go-kart which is equipped with an LED light fixture that can efficiently shine light below the vehicle. This go-kart is equipped with: a vehicle body frame that supports an engine, front wheels, and rear wheels, and is exposed to the exterior; and elongated strips of LED tape that are affixed to both the left and right sides of the vehicle body frame extending in the front-rear direction, and shine light below the vehicle body frame. In addition, the front wheels and rear wheels are supported on the outer side of the vehicle body frame. When the front-side end of the vehicle is viewed from the left-right direction, the LED tape and the LED tape extend to positions which overlap with the front wheels, and when the rear-side end of the vehicle is viewed from the left-right direction, the LED tape and the LED tape extend to positions which overlap with the rear wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Mari Mobility Dev Inc.
    Inventor: Ryutaro Matsushima
  • Patent number: 10526021
    Abstract: An anti-flutter structure, or reinforcement panel, for a roof panel supported on transversely extending roof bows. The reinforcement panel is attached to at least one of the roof bows with the flanges being disposed above the roof bow. The flanges extend longitudinally, and are resiliently compressed by the roof panel. The reinforcement panel has a body and flanges laterally flanking the body. The body is attached to one of the roof bows with the flanges being disposed above the roof bow. The anti-flutter material is disposed between the flanges and the roof panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Edgar Edward Donabedian, Darrin Neil Wagner
  • Patent number: 10513296
    Abstract: Structure including joint structure of dissimilar materials comprises a roof panel and a skeletal body. The roof panel has a bent portion at its end and is a panel member made of an aluminum alloy. The skeletal body has a support portion for supporting the first member and is made of steel. The roof panel and the skeletal body are joined by continuous welding of a vicinity of an apex of the bent portion of the roof panel and the support portion of the skeletal body, a reinforcing plate is joined to the roof panel at least partially along the joining portion with the skeletal body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Hashimura, Junya Naitou, Ryohei Yukishige
  • Patent number: 10479415
    Abstract: A vehicular panel structure includes an inner panel disposed on an inner side of a vehicle; an outer panel disposed on an outer side of the inner panel in the vehicle, having a linear expansion coefficient different from a linear expansion coefficient of the inner panel, and having an adhesive surface joined by an adhesive to an adhesive surface of the inner panel; and an affixed member affixed to a part of the adhesive surface of the outer panel. The affixed member is configured to adhere less to the adhesive than to the adhesive surface of the inner panel or the adhesive surface of the outer panel to which the affixed member is affixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Adachi