Dashboards Patents (Class 296/70)
  • Patent number: 11955037
    Abstract: A display apparatus for a vehicle comprising: a display panel configured to display an image on one surface and to be rolled around a shaft; a shaft driving unit configured to rotate the shaft; an image processing unit configured to determine a size and a position of an image, which is to be displayed by the display panel, based on input image information; an image output unit configured to output the image to the display panel according to the size and position of the image determined by the image processing unit; and a driving control unit configured to control the shaft driving unit to adjust an amount of exposure of the display panel according to the size and position of the image o be displayed by the display panel so that an image blank is not generated on the display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shin Yeong Kim
  • Patent number: 11938866
    Abstract: Disclosed are vehicle cockpit module assembly including an actuator module to provide power, and fixed to an interior of a dashboard assembly, a main housing fixed to the interior of the dashboard assembly to fix the actuator module at one side and to accommodate a pulley, a timing belt, and a timing belt clip, a motor using power from the actuator module to provide a rotational force to a motor rotating shaft, a slip gear module connected to the motor rotating shaft through a center between a rear slip gear and a front slip gear and configured to transmit the rotational force transmitted from the motor rotating shaft through a frictional force between the rear slip gear and the front slip gear, the pulley rotates due to the rotational force transmitted through the slip gear module, and the timing belt connected to the pulley converts rotary motion into linear motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Won Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 11919569
    Abstract: An aluminum cast part of a motor vehicle includes at least two upper walls rising from a bottom wall to form a passage, and at least two lower walls extending the upper walls beyond the bottom wall. The upper and lower walls form, with the bottom wall, a cross-section transverse to the passage which is generally H-shaped. In one or more predetermined cross-sections, at least one upper inner rib extends inside the H and transversely to the upper walls and the bottom wall, at least one outer rib extends outside the H to form an extension of the upper inner rib, and at least one lower inner rib extends inside the H to form an extension of the upper inner rib. A height of the upper inner rib in a central area of the H is compensated for by a height of the lower inner rib in the central area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jean-Baptiste Roy
  • Patent number: 11753081
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid cowl cross bar manufactured through an improved method of performing an insert injection molding without applying hydraulic pressure to the inside of a metal pipe during injection molding in order to simplify a manufacturing process of a hybrid cowl cross bar and to secure rigidity of the cowl cross bar. According to an aspect of the present invention, a reinforcing material is inserted into a metal pipe that is a material of a cowl cross bar. The metal pipe may be made of a material such as aluminum, magnesium, or steel, like a conventional cowl cross bar. The reinforcing material may be manufactured by extruding a synthetic resin or a composite material (for example, PP+GF50%). A rib may be formed inside the reinforcing material to increase a capability to resist injection pressure when the metal pipe is insert-injected and to secure rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ik Keun Choi
  • Patent number: 11675781
    Abstract: Embodiments include methods and systems for configuring a dashboard with a plurality of components. Data sets populated by a plurality of data attributes and associated data attribute values can be received, where the dashboard is configured to display data from the data sets. A plurality of components can be provided on the dashboard including a guided discovery component that displays suggested filters for the dashboard according to one or more of the received data sets. A selection of a filter for the dashboard can be received at one of the components and the components can be dynamically filtered based on the received filter. The suggested filters displayed by the guided discovery component can also be dynamically adjusted based on the received filter, where one or more suggested filters are dynamically hidden and one or more suggested filters are dynamically displayed based on the received filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventor: Muhannad Turki Obeidat
  • Patent number: 11554670
    Abstract: A display and an adjustment device are included in a display adjustment system for an instrument panel of a vehicle. The adjustment device adjusts the display from an original position in the instrument panel into a central position in a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The adjustment device moves the display from the original position of the display in the instrument panel along a central longitudinal axis of the vehicle in the direction of a rear part of the vehicle and transversely with respect to the longitudinal central axis of the vehicle in the direction of a driver's seat so that the display is adjusted into the central position in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Jacques Hélot, Yunzhou Wu
  • Patent number: 11548455
    Abstract: A vehicle floor silencer includes at least one first wall, at least one second wall positioned opposite the first wall, and at least one floor extending between the at least one first wall and the at least one second wall. The at least one first wall, the at least one second wall, and the at least one floor combine to define a receptacle structured to open in an upward direction and to receive a wire harness therein after the floor silencer has been positioned on the floor of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Abhijeet Anil Hoshing, Taylor E. Darling
  • Patent number: 11472126
    Abstract: An attachment part for connecting to a structural part. The attachment part has an attachment part longitudinal axis, and a weld portion to be welded to the structural part by torsional ultrasonic welding. The weld portion has a contact surface for contact with a torsion sonotrode, and a weld surface for connecting to the structural part. The weld portion is delimited, at least portionally, by an inner vibration decoupling zone. The inner vibration decoupling zone, at least portionally, surrounds an inner portion of the attachment part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Telsonic Holding AG
    Inventor: Claus Regenberg
  • Patent number: 11465503
    Abstract: Disclosed is an interior structure (1, 100, 200) for a vehicle, which comprises a vehicle interior structural component (12, 114, 216) arranged within a field-of-view of a driver, wherein at least one outline (12a, 114a, 216a) of the vehicle interior structural component is approximately coincident with an axis line (Ab, Af, Ad) oriented toward a vehicle interior of the vehicle, among a plurality of axis lines radially extending from a vanishing point (P) defined when the driver visually views forwardly while being seated in a driver seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seishi Nakamura, Tomonori Ohtsubo, Taro Oike, Masaki Chiba
  • Patent number: 11370494
    Abstract: A side bracket includes at least one body fastening portion to be fastened to a body of a vehicle, an inner fastening portion, an outer fastening portion, an inner joining part, and an outer joining part. The inner joining part is provided in a rim surrounding a through hole in the inner fastening portion, and in a position closer to a central side in a vehicle-width direction than at least one body fastening portion, the inner joining part is joined to an outer circumferential surface of the steering member penetrating the through hole. The outer joining part is provided in the outer fastening portion, and in a position closer to an end side in the vehicle-width direction than at least one body fastening portion, the outer joining part is joined to a front portion of the outer circumferential surface of the steering member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignees: FUTABA INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masatoshi Tanabe, Daisuke Setoguchi
  • Patent number: 11358653
    Abstract: A member attachment structure, in which an attachment member is attached to an attachment receiving plate portion formed on an attachment receiving member, is provided. The attachment member includes an attachment body portion, and an insertion portion configured to be inserted into a wide hole of the attachment receiving plate portion. The insertion portion includes an insertion body portion, and a sandwiching portion configured to sandwich a sandwiched portion of the attachment receiving plate portion together with the attachment body portion from both sides in the height direction. A recess n is formed in one of the attachment member and the attachment receiving plate portion, and a protrusion is formed in the other. One of the attachment member and the attachment receiving plate portion is provided with a locking portion locked to a locked portion provided on the other of the attachment member and the attachment receiving plate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Taichi Iwahashi
  • Patent number: 11345402
    Abstract: A cross car beam assembly for use with a vehicle includes first and second beam sections that are connected together by a tapered joint. The tapered joint includes an engagement structure formed on the first beam section, and a socket formed on the second beam section that receives the engagement structure. Furthermore, the engagement structure is tapered in a first direction and a second direction different than the first direction, and the socket is also tapered in the first direction and the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: POLESTAR PERFORMANCE AB
    Inventors: Ross Kelk, Lee Cashman
  • Patent number: 11332195
    Abstract: A pair of reinforcing members that extend along the extending direction of the cowl panel and that face each other in the vehicle width direction are attached to the cowl panel, and the pair of reinforcing members in the cowl panel are attached to the cowl panel. A head-up display device is provided at a position corresponding to between the two. That is, since the head-up display device can also act as a reinforcing member, the reinforcing structure is continuously provided in the extending direction of the cowl panel. Therefore, the bending rigidity of the cowl panel can be enhanced. Thereby, securing of the installation space of a head-up display apparatus and the enhanced of the bending rigidity of a cowl panel can be made compatible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirotaka Ishioka, Taichi Minei
  • Patent number: 11326374
    Abstract: An operating arrangement for at least one motor vehicle latch, in particular a flap operating arrangement for two motor vehicle flap latches placed at a distance from one another and provided with a drive train. Furthermore, a lever arrangement interacting with the drive train is provided. Moreover, there is provided at least one transmission attached to the lever arrangement to act upon the at least one motor vehicle latch. The lever arrangement has an operating lever to act upon the transmission and a locking lever that blocks the operating lever at least when in a “locked” position, wherein the drive train works upon the locking lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Stelian Borlodan, Mandya Rajagopal
  • Patent number: 11318993
    Abstract: A modular cross car beam assembly for use with a vehicle includes an intermediate beam section, a driver side beam section, and a passenger side beam section. Furthermore, the driver side beam section and the passenger side beam section are attachable on either side of the intermediate beam section depending on whether the vehicle is a left-hand-drive vehicle or a right-hand-drive vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: POLESTAR PERFORMANCE AB
    Inventors: Ross Kelk, Lee Cashman, David Palmer
  • Patent number: 11254037
    Abstract: A method of forming a cross-car beam is provided. A composite is melted to form a viscous polymer. The polymer is injected into a mold. Pressurized fluid is injected into the mold to evacuate a portion of the viscous polymer from the mold and to form a channel therethrough. The remaining viscous polymer is cooled within the mold to form a cross-car beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dan Busuioc, Bernard Gerard Marchetti, Gary D. Mullen, Nicholas Andrew Mazzocchi
  • Patent number: 11002964
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and apparatuses for a heads up display (HUD) unit assembly. The HUD unit assembly includes a HUD guard device. The HUD guard device has a first elongated member. The first elongated member is position on one or more surfaces of the HUD unit and along an edge of the HUD unit and is configured to protect the one or more surfaces of the HUD unit and the edge of the HUD unit during installation of an instrument panel. The HUD guard device has a first leg member and a second leg member. The first leg member and the second leg member each have a first end and a second end. The first ends are coupled to the first elongated member and the second ends are configured to couple and interface with the HUD unit to support the first elongated member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew W. Harvey, Jonathan Joseph Quijano, Thomas Edward Whitaker
  • Patent number: 10967901
    Abstract: A gap concealing structure for a vehicle includes an instrument cluster frame, a steering column, a steering column cover, and a flexible concealing member that conceals the gap between the instrument cluster frame and the steering column cover in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The instrument cluster frame includes a curvilinear recess that is recessed upward away from the steering column and an attachment wall that extends in the up-down direction and the left-right direction of the vehicle from the lower surface of the recess. The concealing member has a first end and a second end in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The first end of the concealing member is attached to the attachment wall of the instrument cluster frame. The second end of the concealing member is attached to the steering column cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Nagai, Atsushi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 10946808
    Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel assembly includes a display screen positioned within a housing, wherein the housing includes first and second protrusions. The vehicle instrument panel assembly includes a cross-car beam and a first bracket coupled to the cross-car beam. A second bracket is coupled to the first bracket and the first and second protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sreenivas Kuchibhatla, Kalyanaraman Bharathan, Tim R. Beard, Julian Garby, II, Dan G. Busuioc, David Warren Wilson
  • Patent number: 10909521
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a vehicle settlement system and method, and more particularly, a vehicle settlement system and method that utilize object recognition information as settlement authentication information. The vehicle settlement system according to an embodiment includes a vehicle control system, a financial settlement server, and a store system. Here, the vehicle control system includes an object recognition module that is provided to collect object information for settlement authentication, and a vehicle control system control unit that recognizes an object based on the object information collected by the object recognition module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Daeyun An
  • Patent number: 10906250
    Abstract: An add-on part (10) for connecting to a component (30). The add-on part (10) has a longitudinal axis (A) and a welding section (11) to be welded to the component (30) by torsional ultrasonic welding. The welding section (11) has a contact surface (12) for contact with a torsion sonotrode (70) and a welding surface (13) for connecting to the component (30). The welding section (11) is delimited, at least in some sections, by an inner vibration-decoupling zone (14). The inner vibration-decoupling zone (14) extends, at least in some sections, at an inclination to or parallel to the longitudinal axis (A). The method comprises a) bringing the welding surface (13) in contact with a welding region (31), b) applying a force to the contact surface (12) such that the welding surface (13) is pressed against the welding region (31), and c) introducing a torsional ultrasonic vibration into the welding section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: TELSONIC HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Claus Regenberg
  • Patent number: 10739592
    Abstract: A vehicle with a front windshield and a dashboard, which has a ventilation device with a defroster air outlet, and which has a head-up display integrated into the dashboard and has a front windshield projector, and a shielding frame, which delimits a projection passage, through which the front windshield projector projects optical information onto the front windshield and/or onto a combiner screen disposed in the region of the front windshield. The shielding frame is formed closed in the form of a frame with a front frame part, facing the front windshield, and a rear frame part facing away therefrom, which are connected to one another via side frame parts. The front frame part of the shielding frame is made double-walled with an inner wall, delimiting the projection passage, and an outer wall facing the front windshield, which form the defroster air outlet therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Eike Boettcher, Matthias Lemke, Martin Mokry, Rainer Spieckermann
  • Patent number: 10723285
    Abstract: A dashboard of a vehicle has a structure that includes at least one first element and at least one second element, and a skin covering at least part of the first element and the second element. The structure and the skin together define an outer surface of the dashboard. The first element and the second element are able to be moved relative to one another, with the movement causing a deformation of the outer surface of the dashboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: FAURECIA INTERIEUR INDUSTRIE
    Inventors: Nicolas Pegorier, Fernandez Rayar
  • Patent number: 10647430
    Abstract: A latch system that includes a paddle button assembly having a button that is movable between home and actuation positions, a latch assembly that includes a striker assembly with a striker and a hook assembly, and a cable that extends between the paddle button and latch assembly. The hook assembly includes a hook, a pivotal trigger arm, and a manual override switch that is movable between first and second positions when the trigger arm is moved from an engaged position to a disengaged position. Movement of the button from the home position to the actuation position pushes or pulls the cable, thereby pivoting the trigger arm from the engaged to the disengaged position and disengaging the hook from the striker. Pivotal movement of the trigger arm from the engaged to the disengaged position results in linear movement of the manual override switch from the first to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: C&D ZODIAC, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Long, Stephen Kearsey, Scott Savian
  • Patent number: 10583739
    Abstract: An interior structure for a vehicle includes an instrument panel disposed below a windshield, an air conditioning duct provided inside the instrument panel, and a head-up display device having a housing structure and mounted to the instrument panel, the head-up display device being configured to project information on the windshield. The head-up display device has a heat dissipating portion on an outer peripheral face of the housing. The air conditioning duct has a facing portion that faces the heat dissipating portion so as to be able to exchange heat with the heat dissipating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiteru Yoshimura, Masato Sadano
  • Patent number: 10516259
    Abstract: A method and a device provide protection for a multi-terminal HVDC grid against faults. The method includes measuring a DC displacement voltage having a polarity and a value, determining if a short circuit fault exists by comparing the DC displacement voltage with a threshold displacement voltage and identifying a fault type based on the polarity and the value of the DC displacement voltage. The disclosed device contains a converter having a positive pole and a negative pole, a DC-switch substation, a DC line connecting the converter and the DC-switch substation and a transient fault detector. The transient fault detector contains a positive voltage sensor sensing a positive transient voltage of the positive pole and a negative voltage sensor sensing a negative transient voltage of the negative pole and a control unit which is adapted to derive a DC displacement voltage from the positive and the negative transient voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Blug, Guenter Ebner, Li Shang-Jaeger, Kai Trunk, Klaus Wuerflinger, Marcus Zeller
  • Patent number: 10447933
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a motor vehicle body having an interior forming a passenger compartment. At least one camera is arranged on the outside of the motor vehicle body for imaging an area to the side and behind of the motor vehicle. In the interior of the motor vehicle, particularly in the region of an instrument panel, a monitor or display is arranged in or on an air outlet. The monitor is connected to the camera for continuously displaying the imaged area to occupants, and in particular a driver, in the passenger compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Matthias Wirth, Martin Schaufler, Jong-Won Kim, Borris Ilse, Boris Jacob, Friedhelm Engler, Michael Richter, Tom Woods, Andrew Bradbury, Ralf Meyer, Frank Leopold, Thorsten Schurna
  • Patent number: 10261317
    Abstract: The image display device includes a light source, screens on which images are formed by being irradiated with light from the light source, a scanning unit that scans the screens by using the light from the light source, an optical system that generates a virtual image by using light from the screens, and a drive unit that includes a holder for integrally supporting the screens and moves the screens together with the holder The screens are aligned in a direction perpendicular to a movement direction of the holder caused by the drive unit, and are installed at positions that are shifted from each other by a certain distance in the movement direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Furuya, Akira Kurozuka, Yuta Yamamoto, Susumu Uragami
  • Patent number: 10142824
    Abstract: A communication system 20 includes a short-range wireless communication device 45 installed in a vehicle 10. The short-range wireless communication device 45 is a device capable of performing short-range wireless communication with a portable communication terminal 46. The short-range wireless communication device 45 is provided in the vicinity of a surface 12c of an instrument panel 12. A first groove portion 35 and a second groove portion 36 are formed in the surface 12c of the instrument panel 12, in the vicinity of the short-range wireless communication device 45.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoya Hagihara, Arata Isobe, Fuyuto Takeyama, Yosuke Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10093149
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body and an HVAC unit. The vehicle body has a first structure and a second structure that define a gap. The HVAC unit is fixed to the vehicle body and includes a motor and a case housing the motor. The case is disposed in the gap, abuts the first structure and the second structure, and reinforces the vehicle body between the first structure and the second structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Allen Bodey, Jr., Michael James Freeman, Kevin Brohl
  • Patent number: 10076957
    Abstract: An assembly structure for assembling the cluster panel with a vehicle body, the cluster panel being integrated with onboard equipment, the vehicle body including a receiving portion that can receive the onboard equipment integrated with the cluster panel, and a sliding surface disposed below the receiving portion, the sliding surface extending for a prescribed length from a position on a vehicle interior side to a position on a farther side of the receiving portion; and the onboard equipment including a sliding contact portion that can come in sliding contact with the sliding surface when the onboard equipment integrated with the cluster panel is put into and taken out from the receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuya Inagaki, Toshinao Wada
  • Patent number: 9950745
    Abstract: A cockpit cross beam for a motor vehicle includes at least one structured metal section arranged on the driver's side, wherein the metal section exhibits cross-sectional areas varying in the axial direction and has connection elements for connecting the metal section to other structural parts of a motor vehicle body. A cockpit cross beam that permits variable steering column angles of inclination with identical steering column connection is achieved in that the metal section arranged on the driver's side in each case has rotationally symmetric cross-sectional areas as connection elements at its ends and the cross-sectional areas of the ends have a common rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG
    Inventors: Mark Hirt, Martin Hinz, Detlef Steinhöfer
  • Patent number: 9688147
    Abstract: An instrument cluster assembly is provided and includes a case assembly having a visor attached to a front side of the case assembly, the visor having at least one sound hole. The instrument cluster assembly also includes a dial sheet having at least one indicator. The instrument cluster assembly also includes a lens mounted to the visor such that the at least one indicator of the dial sheet is viewable through the lens. The instrument cluster assembly also includes a speaker that generates sound waves and a sound tube that directs the sound waves from the speaker to the at least one sound hole of the visor such that the sound waves generated by the speaker travel through the sound tube and exit the at least one sound hole of the visor without traveling through the dial sheet and the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignees: Denso International America, Inc., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Koch, Ryo Kunitachi, Brandon Peterson, Joseph Falzon, Amol Deshmukh
  • Patent number: 9573627
    Abstract: An instrument panel reinforcement structure has: a housing (24), that is made of metal and is disposed within an instrument panel (16), of a head-up display device (20) that projects image information onto a front windshield glass (14); and an instrument panel reinforcement (18) that is made of metal, and extends along a vehicle transverse direction within the instrument panel, and is joined to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shizuo Sanjo
  • Patent number: 9547172
    Abstract: A heads up display system includes a computer that is programmed to receive data from one or more sources in a vehicle. The computer is further programmed to identify respective subsets of the data to be provided to respective ones of a plurality of display devices, and to provide the respective subsets of the data to the respective display devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Thomas Remillard, Anthony Gerald King, Jeff Allen Greenberg
  • Patent number: 9510482
    Abstract: A wire harness fixing structure includes a cooling medium tank provided with a cooling medium relief valve; a sensor that is installed in the cooling medium tank; a connection terminal that is located beyond the cooling medium relief valve as viewed from a position where the sensor is installed; a wire harness that electrically connects the sensor to the connection terminal; and a bracket that is fastened to the cooling medium tank and that fixes the wire harness. The bracket includes a fastened portion that is fastened to the cooling medium tank, and a retention portion that has a substantially U-shaped form closed at a side facing the cooling medium relief valve and that retains the wire harness in the U-shaped form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki Tsuboi, Taketo Takeuchi, Takafumi Ogisu
  • Patent number: 9368001
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for handling banknotes. The device comprises a display unit having a display surface for displaying at least one graphical user interface. Moreover, the device comprises a drive unit for tilting the display unit about the axis of rotation. The display unit is connected to a gear segment formed along a circular arc, the axis of rotation extending through the center of curvature of the circular arc. A gear which is operatively connected to the drive unit engages with the teeth of the gear segment formed along the circular arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH
    Inventors: Rophie Rabanos, Hengky Wirawan, Lutz Bernhard
  • Patent number: 9266430
    Abstract: A multi-gauge pod integratable with a motorcycle windscreen includes a front panel having an upper edge of a curved configuration conforming to the curvature of a semi-conical wedge-shaped shell portion of the windscreen, a lower edge below and spaced from the upper edge, and plural openings formed in the front panel spaced apart from one another and disposed in a clustered arrangement between and spaced from the upper and lower edges such that the front panel provides a dashboard that integrates within the motorcycle windscreen with the openings providing sites for mounting gauges thereto. The pod also includes a base and may include a tunnel both rigidly connected along front edges thereof to the lower edge of the front panel and extending rearward therefrom so as to rigidly support the front panel in an upright position relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Inventor: Carlos Ariel Perez
  • Patent number: 9254808
    Abstract: An inflatable active bolster for a vehicle occupant, the active bolster comprising a front wall and a rear wall, the front and rear walls being interconnected to form a hollow chamber. The front wall has deformable features that permit the hollow chamber to volumetrically expand upon inflation of the hollow chamber by an inflator. The active bolster further includes a reaction plate for attachment of the active bolster to a suitable vehicle mount structure. The hollow chamber is attached to the reaction plate through a releasable engagement mechanism. The active bolster provides for snap-in installation, and easier detachment for servicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Salflex Polymers Limited
    Inventor: Raj S. Roychoudhury
  • Patent number: 9227671
    Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel reinforcement capable of raising ease of vehicle installation is provided. The instrument panel reinforcement is formed with a cross-section profile of square shaped closed cross-section profile from an upper member and a lower member, is disposed along a vehicle width direction at the inside of a vehicle instrument panel. Plural first protruding portions are formed to one end portion of the upper member, and plural first projection portions are formed to another end portion thereof. Similarly, plural second protruding portions are formed to one end portion of the lower member and plural second projection portions are formed to another end portion thereof. The first protruding portions and the second projection portions, and the first projection portions and the second protruding portions, are projection welded together at plural points simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Aoki, Masayuki Azuma
  • Patent number: 9174600
    Abstract: An impact absorbing device includes a plate and a panel having a panel thickness. An intermediate portion has a portion thickness and extends between the plate and the panel. The intermediate portion defines a chamber between the plate and the panel. A port is in communication with the chamber. The portion thickness is less than the panel thickness. The impact absorbing device is movable to a deployed position to contact an occupant during a collision. Since the portion thickness is less than the panel thickness, the intermediate portion expands more quickly, providing an impact surface for the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mangala A. Jayasuriya, Robert William McCoy, James Chih Cheng
  • Patent number: 9140284
    Abstract: An apparatus that includes a datum. The datum has a first portion configured to interface with a work-piece having a critical surface associated with a fit-and-finish surface, and a second portion configured to interface with a mating structure. The datum is adjusted in such a way that the datum facilitates placement of the critical surface within acceptable tolerance to the fit-and-finish surface once the datum is placed between the work-piece and the mating structure, and the work-piece is installed to the mating structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dave Black
  • Patent number: 9056685
    Abstract: A method for mounting interior components in an aircraft includes premounting a first interior component and premounting a second interior component. At least one of the first and the second interior component is secured to a mounting device and the first and second interior components are connected to form an individual module. A plurality of individual modules secured to the mounting device are interconnected to form a large module which is secured to the mounting device. The large module is detached from the mounting device and transported to a final-mounting position in an aircraft fuselage element. The detached large module is then mounted in the aircraft fuselage element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Umlauft, Niklas Halfmann, Dieter Krause
  • Publication number: 20150123420
    Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel assembly includes a center stack assembly that has a main trim surface and an attachment surface with a peripheral edge surrounding the main trim surface. The peripheral edge includes a lower first side portion and a lower second side portion laterally opposite the lower first side portion. A first side trim surface extends from the lower first side portion of the peripheral edge and a second side trim surface extends from the lower second side portion of the peripheral edge. The first side trim surface and the second side trim surface are inclined toward one another such that the first side trim surface and the second side trim surface converge toward one another in a direction moving away from the main portion in a vehicle longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael EBERLEIN, Aaron ANDERSEN
  • Patent number: 9022450
    Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel assembly includes a center stack assembly that has a main trim surface and an attachment surface with a peripheral edge surrounding the main trim surface. The peripheral edge includes a lower first side portion and a lower second side portion laterally opposite the lower first side portion. A first side trim surface extends from the lower first side portion of the peripheral edge and a second side trim surface extends from the lower second side portion of the peripheral edge. The first side trim surface and the second side trim surface are inclined toward one another such that the first side trim surface and the second side trim surface converge toward one another in a direction moving away from the main portion in a vehicle longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Eberlein, Aaron Andersen
  • Patent number: 8997433
    Abstract: A trim assembly having a trim element and a first concealing element extending away from the trim element and being movable relative to the trim element. The trim assembly further includes at least one second rigid concealing element, extending from the trim element to the first concealing element and designed to conceal the space between the trim element and the first concealing element. The second concealing element is secured to the trim element and is biased against part of the first concealing element so as to bear against that part of the first concealing element in all positions of the first concealing element with respect to the trim element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie
    Inventors: Stéphane Fabris, Jacques Bergerioux
  • Patent number: 8993091
    Abstract: A foam-filled panel is provided. The foam-filled panel can have a substrate layer with a padded area, an unpadded area, an opening within said unpadded area, and a bounding region between the padded area and the unpadded area. A skin can extend across the padded area of the substrate layer and a foam layer can be present between the padded area of the substrate layer and the skin. In addition, a disposable foam injection port is attached to the substrate layer at the bounding region of the padded area and can extend into and be an obstruction to the opening. The disposable foam injection port can be in fluid communication with the foam layer and unattaching the disposable foam injection port from the substrate layer can remove the obstruction to the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kerry Scott Zellner, Jr., Chase Nelson
  • Patent number: 8991772
    Abstract: A multimedia assembly and an instrument panel assembly for use in an automotive vehicle are provided. The multimedia assembly includes a multimedia device and an auxiliary device. The multimedia device has a faceplate which is disposed on the outer surface of the instrument panel so as to be exposed to the cabin space of the vehicle. The auxiliary device is disposed beneath the multimedia device and hidden behind the outer surface of the instrument panel of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Joseph King, II
  • Patent number: 8985679
    Abstract: An instrument panel crossmember for vehicles that have different configurations is intended to extend between two front pillars of a vehicle. The crossmember has a first portion extending opposite the vehicle driving seat. One end of the first portion connects to a front pillar of the vehicle, and another end of the first portion is connected to a fixing device. The fixing device is designed selectively to support a second portion of the crossmember that extends facing the vehicle passenger seat and/or to support a strut designed to connect the crossmember to the floor of the vehicle, depending on the configuration of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie
    Inventors: Sergio Da Costa Pito, Christian Brancheriau, Laurent Baudart, Albin Descamps
  • Patent number: 8979163
    Abstract: A holding device for fixing a portable driver information unit in the interior of a motor vehicle is provided. The holding device includes a first part and a second part. The first part and the second part are swivelable with respect to one another. The first part or the second part has, or both have, a material section through which the portable driver information unit is fixed between the first part and the second part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Alexander Heil