Motor-reversing Patents (Class 318/280)
  • Patent number: 11754669
    Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for transmitting and receiving a plurality of encoded information bits on a radar signal. In an aspect, a transmitter radar generates a first set of modulated phase-coded symbols to convey the plurality of encoded information bits, generates a second set of modulated phase-coded symbols as reference symbols having a known phase modulation, phase codes a plurality of chirps of the radar signal according to the first and second sets of modulated phase-coded symbols, and transmits the plurality of chirps according to the phase coding. A receiver radar determines a phase difference between the receiver and transmitter radars based on a phase of the plurality of chirps, equalizes the phase based on the determined phase difference, determines a phase code of the first set of symbols based on the equalized phase, and decodes the encoded information bits based on the phase code of the first set of symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Kapil Gulati, Khurram Usman Mazher, Junyi Li
  • Patent number: 11693107
    Abstract: According to an aspect, a radar system comprising a transmitter operative to transmit a first set of chirps on a single transmit antenna and a second set of chirps on a plurality of transmit antennas, in that, the first set of chirps forming a first part of a chirp frame and the second set of chirps forming a second part of the chirp frame, a first receiver segment operative to generate a first set of parameters from a first set of received chirps that is reflection of the first set of chirps from one or more objects and a second segment operative to generate a second set of parameters from a second set of received chirps that is reflection of the second set of chirps from the one or more objects part of the received chirp frame and the first set of parameters, wherein, first set of parameters and second set of parameters comprise at least one of range doppler and angle of one or more objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Inventors: Gireesh Rajendran, Ankit Sharma, Sai Gunaranjan Pelluri, Apu Sivadas
  • Patent number: 11686146
    Abstract: An automated window mechanism having a motor and a force measuring component. A movement path is defined for the window movement relative to a window frame. The force-measuring component measures the force required to move the window along the movement path. The force required is stored as a force map and is a function of position along the path. Deviations from the force map cause the motor to take measures which may include stopping the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: David R Hall, Jerome Miles
  • Patent number: 11581832
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a controller. To control current through a motor winding, the controller monitors a magnitude of current supplied through the motor winding. The controller compares the magnitude of current to a threshold value. In response to detecting that the magnitude of current crosses the threshold value, the controller terminates a flow of the current through the motor winding. In one application, termination of the current through the motor winding supports more efficient use of energy to drive the motor winding. For example, via the controller, terminating the current through the motor winding to prevent the current from flowing in a reverse direction through the motor winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Pablo Yelamos Ruiz, Tao Zhao
  • Patent number: 11565210
    Abstract: A method of removing debris from a screen cover has a first mode of operation which includes: activating first and second fans to move first and second portions of air through screen cover and into a plenum, and moving the first and second portions of air from the plenum into a heat exchanger. A second mode of operation includes: deactivating the first fan for a first time period, activating the second fan for the first time period to move a third portion of air into the plenum, moving a first part of the third portion of air from the plenum into the heat exchanger during the first time period, and moving a second part of the third portion of air from the plenum through the screen cover during the first time period such that the second part of the third portion of air removes debris from the screen cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Thomas L. Kennedy, Steven R. Sass, Sean P. West, Aaron J. Whalen
  • Patent number: 11539312
    Abstract: The present invention provides a motor driver and a motor driving system capable of suppressing power consumption when a motor is in a brake state. The motor driver of the present invention includes: a half-bridge power output section, including a high-side transistor and a low-side transistor; a high-side driving circuit, driving the high-side transistor; and a control portion. When switching to a brake mode, the low-side transistor is turned on and the control portion turns off the high-side driving circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Yamato, Noboru Takizawa
  • Patent number: 11261649
    Abstract: A vehicle window control system is provided. The vehicle window control system includes a window switch that generates a first signal, a first computer that reads a state of the window switch and generates a second signal, and a second computer that controls movement of the vehicle window based on either the first signal or the second signal. The second computer receives the second signal from the first computer through serial communication and the first signal from the switch portion through a hardwire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eric E. Helligrath, David G. Peterson, Kentaro Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 11236539
    Abstract: In a door trim assembly for a vehicle door having an opening fitted with a vertically moveable window pane and a drive unit for driving the window pane for selectively closing the opening, the door trim assembly includes: a door trim main body configured to be attached to an inboard side part of the vehicle door under the opening; at least one transmitter provided in an upper part of the door trim main body; at least one receiver provided in an upper part of the door trim main body and configured to receive a signal emitted from the transmitter and reflected by an object positioned near the window pane; and a control unit connected to the receiver to compute a position of the object according to the signal received by the receiver and control the drive unit according to the computed position of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Yogo
  • Patent number: 11204386
    Abstract: A relay diagnosis circuit capable of diagnosing whether a relay connected to a negative electrode of a battery pack normally operates using voltage applied from a positive electrode of the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventors: Jaedong Park, Hyunki Cho, Sang Hoon Lee, Yean Sik Choi
  • Patent number: 11146198
    Abstract: The invention suppresses the generation of an excessive current in a SR motor during switching between drive control and brake control. This motor control device is for controlling rotation of a multiphase SR motor, and is provided with a control unit that controls the rotational speed of the SR motor while switching between drive control for generating drive torque in the SR motor and brake control for generating braking torque in the SR motor, wherein the control unit performs switching from the drive control to the brake control or vice versa under the condition that the current flowing through a winding wire of an energized phase is less than a prescribed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBA Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroaki Okada
  • Patent number: 11101647
    Abstract: An overvoltage protection circuit which can be applied to a motor controller is provided. The overvoltage protection circuit comprises a voltage controller, a comparator, and a switching circuit so as to prevent damage to a driving circuit. The driving circuit is configured to supply a driving current to a motor coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Global Mixed-mode Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Yu Chen, Guang-Nan Tzeng
  • Patent number: 11050240
    Abstract: A circuit for ground disconnection protection is provided herein. In an embodiment, the circuit includes power transistor elements in a common-source arrangement coupled between a first ground and a second ground. The power transistor elements are configured to turn on during a ground disconnection event in an electric motor system. This allows a current to pass between the first ground and the second ground, bypassing a control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: John R. Broze, Garret R. Walker
  • Patent number: 10946679
    Abstract: An electric apparatus for controlling movement of a target object by performing first and second feedback controls, based on a detection signal obtained from detecting the movement of the target object, generates an operation quantity on the target object based on first and second operation quantities for the second feedback control if one of a predetermined target value and an estimated first state quantity of the target object is higher than a first threshold value, and generates the operation quantity on the target object using only the first operation quantity from among the first and the second operation quantities if one of the target value and the first state quantity of the target object is lower than the first threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kota Kiyama, Yuichiro Suzuki, Isao Iwai, Haruhiko Tanami
  • Patent number: 10938227
    Abstract: A vehicle winch mechanism includes a drum, a motor and transmission, at least one drum and motor side support, at least one battery, and a motive trickle charge mechanism. The drum pays out and takes in a line. The motor and transmission drive the drum. The side supports couple the drum, the motor, or both to the vehicle. The battery provides power to the motor. The motive trickle charge mechanism charges the battery. In one embodiment, the motive trickle charge mechanism includes a permanent magnet, an enclosure housing the magnet, and two or more sets of conductive coils wrapped around the enclosure and electrically coupled to the battery. The enclosure houses the magnet such that the magnet freely moves and changes orientation within the enclosure. The coils of an individual set of coils are aligned along parallel planes, and the coils of separate sets are aligned along intersecting planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Daniel Madsen, Benjamin Taylor, Jedediah Knight, Spencer Call
  • Patent number: 10927584
    Abstract: It is provided an adjustment device for the power-operated adjustment of a vehicle part that is adjustable on a vehicle along an adjustment path between a closed position and at least one open position, comprising a sensor device by means of which an obstacle in the adjustment path of the vehicle part can be detected in a contactless way and upon detection of an obstacle in the adjustment path of the vehicle part an obstacle signal can be generated, and comprising an electronic control device coupled to at least one drive for the adjustment of the vehicle part, at least one actuating element for generating an adjustment signal and the sensor device, by means of which on the basis of the adjustment signal the at least one drive can be actuated for the power-operated adjustment of the vehicle part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignees: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co., Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Florian Pohl, Joachim Nusser
  • Patent number: 10911631
    Abstract: An apparatus detects movement of a target object, estimates a control quantity for first feedback control for the target object at a first period based on a detection signal, estimates a first state quantity of the target object and a second state quantity obtained by time differentiation of the first state quantity for second feedback control for the target object at a second period, shorter than the first period, based on the detection signal, generates a first operation quantity for the first feedback control based on the control quantity, generates a second operation quantity for the second feedback control based on the first and second state quantities, determines a sign of the second operation quantity from a relationship between the first and second state quantities, and generates an operation quantity on the target object from the first and second operation quantities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruhiko Tanami, Yuichiro Suzuki, Isao Iwai, Kota Kiyama
  • Patent number: 10855872
    Abstract: An apparatus detects movement of a target object, estimates a control quantity for first feedback control for the target object at a first period based on a detection signal, estimates a first state quantity of the target object and a second state quantity obtained by time differentiation of the first state quantity for second feedback control for the target object at a second period, shorter than the first period, based on the detection signal, generates a first operation quantity for the first feedback control based on the control quantity, generates a second operation quantity for the second feedback control based on the first and second state quantities, determines a sign of the second operation quantity from a relationship between the first and second state quantities, and generates an operation quantity on the target object from the first and second operation quantities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruhiko Tanami, Yuichiro Suzuki, Isao Iwai, Kota Kiyama
  • Patent number: 10774573
    Abstract: A window control system includes a switch and a motor controller. The switch is manipulated by an operator and transmits signals based on the manipulation. The motor controller receives signals from the switch, determines a preset position from the signals, and commands a motor to move a window to the preset position. The preset position is one of at least three preset positions either programmed by a manufacturer or customized by the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gareth Webb, Dustin Garrett
  • Patent number: 10760319
    Abstract: An open-close body driving device includes a motor configured to open and close an open-close body included in a vehicle and a controller controlling a movement speed of the open-close body driven by the motor. The controller is configured to move the open-close body at a normal speed based on a vehicle-side operating signal output by operation of an operating switch installed on the vehicle and at a speed lower than the normal speed based on a remote operating signal output by operation of a mobile device. The controller is configured so that in a shutting region having a predetermined dimension from a fully-closed position toward an open side, closing movement of the open-close body based on the remote operating signal is slower than closing movement of the open-close body based on the vehicle-side operating signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Shibata, Nobuo Mizutani
  • Patent number: 10731399
    Abstract: In a door trim assembly for a vehicle door having an opening fitted with a vertically moveable window pane and a drive unit for driving the window pane for selectively closing the opening, the door trim assembly includes: a door trim main body configured to be attached to an inboard side part of the vehicle door under the opening; at least one transmitter provided in an upper part of the door trim main body; at least one receiver provided in an upper part of the door trim main body and configured to receive a signal emitted from the transmitter and reflected by an object positioned near the window pane; and a control unit connected to the receiver to compute a position of the object according to the signal received by the receiver and control the drive unit according to the computed position of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Yogo
  • Patent number: 10689896
    Abstract: The assembly includes a drive unit and an ECU connectable to the drive unit in an assembly direction Y, transverse to a rotary shaft of the motor. The ECU includes an L shaped support having a first part parallel to the assembly direction Y and a second part transverse to the first part Y and coupled in a sealing manner to an L shaped opening of the drive unit housing. The assembly includes a seal with a second sealing part which, when the ECU is coupled to the housing, is compressed in the assembly direction Y between the second part of the support and a second perimeter edge of a second opening of the housing and a first sealing part which, when the ECU is coupled to the housing, is housed in a gap defined between the first part and a first perimeter edge of a first opening of the housing, the gap and the first sealing part in a plane parallel to the assembly direction Y.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: GRUPO ANTOLIN INGENIERÍA, S.A.U.
    Inventors: Ricardo Iglesias Sedano, Darío Soto Romero, César Marcos Conzález
  • Patent number: 10584889
    Abstract: A magnetic switch controlled circuit for an electrical appliance includes a voltage input terminal, a voltage output terminal, a magnetic switch, a relay circuitry and a turn-off delay circuitry. When the magnetic switch detects a first change in the magnetic field from an idle status, the relay circuitry is configured to output an output voltage to the voltage output terminal so as to supply power to the electrical appliance. When the magnetic switch detects a second change in the magnetic field from the first change in the magnetic field, the turn-off delay circuitry is configured to control the relay circuitry to continue outputting the output voltage to the voltage output terminal for a predetermined period of time, the relay circuitry being switched off by the turn-off delay circuitry after the predetermined period of time elapses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Inventor: Hua Fu Situ
  • Patent number: 10570656
    Abstract: A door assist system for a vehicle comprises an actuator configured to control a position of a door about a hinge assembly and an interference sensor. The interference sensor is configured to generate an electromagnetic field in an interference zone between the door and a body of the vehicle. Based on changes or fluctuations in the electromagnetic field, the interference sensor is configured to detect an obstruction in the electromagnetic field and generate a detection signal. The system further comprises a controller configured to control the actuator in response to the detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Larry Elie, Timothy J. Potter
  • Patent number: 10533362
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a movement of a window of a vehicle to a selected position. The method includes receiving, by a processor, an input from a source that indicates the selected position for the window, and determining, by the processor, a coordinate location value based on the selected position. The method also includes determining, by the processor, a position for the window based on the coordinate location value and outputting, by the processor, one or more control signals to a motor associated with a window regulator of the window to move the window to the position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: David T. Renke, Michael A. Faucett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10479402
    Abstract: A method for supplying power to an inductive load including an H-bridge switching structure coupled to a power supply and including a first, a second, a third and a fourth switch and current measurement means designed to measure a current through each switch, the power supply method including: a) supplying power to the inductive load, b) reducing an accumulated current in the inductive load. Upon detection of an anomaly: c) identifying the switch that caused a circuit break, d) identifying whether the anomaly was detected during step a) or step b). If an anomaly is detected in step a): e) performing step b) for a third duration, f) identifying the origin of the anomaly, g) if an anomaly is detected in step b): h) identifying the origin of the anomaly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignees: Continental Automotive France, Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Angelo Pasqualetto
  • Patent number: 10422163
    Abstract: An electronic sensor and key operated lock is disclosed which provides users with the option to use at least one of a manually operated mechanism or for example a biometric sensor to unlock the lock. The lock integrates both the manually operated mechanism and a biometric sensor into one device. The manually operated mechanism and a biometric sensor are coupled to a common toggle switch so that operation of at least one of the manually operated mechanism and the biometric sensor moves the toggle switch and a shackle from locked and unlocked positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Inventor: Roberto Abelardo Cabral Herrera
  • Patent number: 10273736
    Abstract: The invention relates to a braking mechanism (10) for a movable door wing (1) with an electric motor (14) operating as a generator, the at least one drive shaft of which can be rotated by a movement of the door wing (1), and at the terminals thereof, a movement-dependent output voltage is produced, which is applied to an evaluation and control unit (20), and a stop spring (12) which damps a manual opening movement of the door wing (1) between a predetermined opening angle and a maximum opening angle with a constant first damping, and a corresponding door with a braking mechanism of this type. In accordance with to the invention, the evaluation and control unit (20) performs a pulse width modulation (PWM) of the motor current cooperating with the output voltage and establishes an effective sequence of braking force, which generates a variable second damping of the opening movement of the door wing (1), so that the door wing (1), when released, stops upon reaching the maximum opening angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Geze GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias Hucker
  • Patent number: 10270268
    Abstract: A vehicle winch mechanism includes a drum, a motor and transmission, at least one drum and motor side support, at least one battery, and a motive trickle charge mechanism. The drum pays out and takes in a line. The motor and transmission drive the drum. The side supports couple the drum, the motor, or both to the vehicle. The battery provides power to the motor. The motive trickle charge mechanism charges the battery. In one embodiment, the motive trickle charge mechanism includes a permanent magnet, an enclosure housing the magnet, and two or more sets of conductive coils wrapped around the enclosure and electrically coupled to the battery. The enclosure houses the magnet such that the magnet freely moves and changes orientation within the enclosure. The coils of an individual set of coils are aligned along parallel planes, and the coils of separate sets are aligned along intersecting planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Daniel Madsen, Benjamin Taylor, Jedediah Knight, Spencer Call
  • Patent number: 10253544
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a control device of an opening and closing member for a vehicle including a control portion outputting a control signal that switches a connection of a switch portion to control a drive motor closing and opening the opening and closing member mounted on the vehicle and a detection portion outputting a signal indicating the rotary direction of the drive motor to the control portion, wherein the control portion determines whether or not the switch portion is stuck on a basis of the signal from the detection portion, and in a case where the control portion determines that the switch portion is stuck, the control portion outputs the control signal for switching the connection of the switch portion so as to stop the drive motor and to maintain the drive motor in a stop state is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Kikuta
  • Patent number: 10227812
    Abstract: An opening and closing body control device for a vehicle includes a drive control portion operating a drive control of an opening and closing body by controlling an operation of a drive device, an information communication portion acquiring control information being used for the drive control by a network communication, and a communication state determination portion determining whether the network communication is established. The drive control portion operates a retention control of the opening and closing body in order to retain the opening and closing body at a moved position in a case where the network communication is not established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Kaino, Hirotoshi Nakamura, Yasuhiro Awata
  • Patent number: 10218297
    Abstract: An adjustment device for a closure element on a vehicle, such as e.g. a window pane, a sunroof or a convertible top, is provided. The closure element is adjustable between an open and a closed position by means of the adjustment device, wherein the adjustment device includes a drive motor and an electronic control unit for adjusting the closure element and the control unit comprises a bridge circuit, in order to supply the drive motor with electric power and control the rotational speed and the direction of rotation of a drive element of the drive motor to be coupled with the closure element. The bridge circuit is connected with at least one additional load of the vehicle, such as e.g. a window heater, and is formed and provided to control the energization of the at least one additional electronic load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GMBH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Manuel Griesmann, Olaf Kriese, Roland Kalb
  • Patent number: 10106145
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling backlash in a vehicle powertrain includes the step of controlling a torque request of the powertrain with a first control strategy after an occurrence of a backlash predictor and prior to an occurrence of backlash. The first control strategy is modified when backlash occurs during the first control strategy. The torque request is controlled with the modified first control strategy after another occurrence of a backlash predictor and before another occurrence of backlash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Craig Reed, Joshua Nicholas Dewalt, Mary Catherine Farmer, Terry Gene Feldpausch, Dimitar Petrov Filev, Peter Douglas Kuechler
  • Patent number: 10077042
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling backlash in a vehicle powertrain includes the step of controlling a torque request of the powertrain with a first control strategy after an occurrence of a backlash predictor and before an occurrence of a backlash. Another step may be employed whereby the torque request is controlled with a second control strategy after the first control strategy and before the occurrence of the backlash such that a torque request level is below a highest torque request level obtained during the first control-strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Craig Reed, Joshua Nicholas Dewalt, Mary Catherine Farmer, Terry Gene Feldpausch, Peter Douglas Kuechler
  • Patent number: 10060171
    Abstract: In a power window apparatus, when a controller determines that a captured foreign object, which is captured between a window glass and a window frame of a door, is present, the controller executes an interrupting process that interrupts a current operation of a drive mechanism. The controller does not determine whether the captured foreign object is present in an initial mask period that is a time period from a time point of starting rotation of the electric motor to a time point, at which a rotational speed of the electric motor reaches a stable state. The initial mask period is variable based on an operational load of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroki Aoshima
  • Patent number: 9915586
    Abstract: A method and device for processing a signal (CRK) provided by a bidirectional sensor, the method includes the following steps: generation of a first signal (CRK_CNT) utilizing all the slots of the signal provided by the sensor, generation of a second signal (CRK_DIR) utilizing the slots corresponding to a first direction of transit, connection of the first signal (CRK_CNT) to the input of the first electronic component, connection of the second signal (CRK_DIR) to a second component, detection by the second component of edges of the signals received, determination of the direction of transit as a function of the presence or otherwise of an edge on the second signal (CRK_DIR) when a rising and/or falling edge is detected on the first signal, change of the value of the predefined threshold (THMI) in the first component upon each detection of an edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GmbH
    Inventor: Jerome Hou
  • Patent number: 9880526
    Abstract: A motor controller coupled to a motor for a pump is described. The motor controller is configured to determine a first mode of operation for the motor, based on at least one of a predefined schedule stored by the motor controller and an input signal received by the motor controller from at least one ancillary device. The motor controller is additionally configured to transmit a first control signal to the motor to operate the motor in the first mode, and to transmit a second control signal to change an operation of the at least one ancillary device, wherein the at least one ancillary device includes one or more of a heater, a chlorine generator, and an ozone generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yilcan Guzelgunler, Jason Jon Kreidler, Stephen D. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 9874215
    Abstract: A fan motor control unit includes sensor units that each detect a rotational position of the fan motor, a switching unit that selectively connects each of stator coils of the fan motor to a rectifier circuit, a current sensor that detects a current flowing in the fan motor, and a switching control unit that advances, in the case where the current detected by the current sensor exceeds a threshold, a energization timing from the rectifier circuit to the stator coils with respect to the energization timing applied while the current detected by the current sensor is lower than the threshold, on the basis of the rotational position detected by the sensor units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yo Muramatsu, Takahisa Toda, Kenta Nishimaki
  • Patent number: 9827681
    Abstract: A human cooperation robot system includes: an external force detecting unit that detects an external force acting on a robot; a retreat operation commanding unit that commands a retreat operation for causing the robot to be moved in a direction such that the external force is decreased when the external force detected by the external force detecting unit is greater than a first threshold value; and an external force variation monitoring unit that stops the retreat operation when a variation width of the external force at a predetermined time after the retreat operation is commanded by the retreat operation commanding unit is smaller than a second threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Naitou, Soichi Arita, Hiromitsu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9793715
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for portable load balancing and source optimization are described herein. One portable load balancing and source optimization system, includes one or more electric generators that supply three phase electrical power, at least one sensor to sense whether the three phases have become unbalanced beyond a threshold amount, a set of contactors that enable the contacts of the three phases to be changed to adjust the balance of the three phases, and a controller to determine which reversible contactors of the set of contactors to change to adjust that balance of the three phases based on information from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Fischer, J. Rick Martin, Gregory Brainard, Robert Harris, Jonathan Gray Tugwell
  • Patent number: 9794465
    Abstract: A network camera includes a pan driving unit and a tilt driving unit for changing a shooting direction of an imaging unit. A detection unit detects rotation angles of movable units to be driven by the pan driving unit and the tilt driving unit. A pan/tilt control unit corrects a target position of the movable unit according to a correction value according to the detected rotation angle and controls each of the driving units using a value after the correction. In addition, when masked image drawing for processing an image is performed so that a partial image of a predetermined position is not visible in the image captured by an imaging unit, an image processing unit performs a process of correcting a rotation angle detected by the detection unit according to the correction value and drawing a masked image at a mask drawing position after the correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Ashitani
  • Patent number: 9784016
    Abstract: An electronic sensor and key operated lock is disclosed which provides users with the option to use at least one of a manually operated mechanism or for example a biometric sensor to unlock the lock. The lock integrates both the manually operated mechanism and a biometric sensor into one device. The manually operated mechanism and a biometric sensor are coupled to a common toggle switch so that operation of at least one of the manually operated mechanism and the biometric sensor moves the toggle switch and a shackle from locked and unlocked positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Inventor: Roberto Abelardo Cabral Herrera
  • Patent number: 9777518
    Abstract: The invention relates to a collision protection device for a pivotable hatch of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one sensor for detecting an obstacle in the pivoting range of the hatch, and comprising a control unit, which is designed to output, in dependence on sensor signals of the at least one sensor, control commands for stopping an opening movement of the hatch, wherein the at least one sensor is an optical visibility sensor, which is designed for capturing an optical visibility in an environment of the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignees: VALEO SCHALTER UND SENSOREN GMBH, AUDI AG
    Inventors: Ulf Warschat, Jürgen Hartmann, Thomas Schuler
  • Patent number: 9765464
    Abstract: A method for washing articles in a wash chamber of the washing machine appliance is provided. The method includes receiving user input of a user-selected water fill amount for a wash cycle, the user-selected water fill amount being the largest water fill amount available for selection by a user. The method also includes determining a characteristic of a load of the washing machine appliance and determining that an amount of water associated with the user-selected water fill amount is inadequate for the load. In response, the method includes providing the wash chamber of the washing machine appliance with an amount of water greater than an amount associated with the user-selected water fill amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Edward Hettinger, Ryan Ellis Leonard
  • Patent number: 9742342
    Abstract: A motor driving apparatus includes: a switch having a first terminal that receives an external voltage, and a second terminal; a driving circuit coupled to the first terminal of the switch, and powered by the external voltage; a control circuit coupled to the second terminal of the switch; and a power circuit coupled across the switch, and outputting an internal voltage associated with the external voltage to power the control circuit to control the driving circuit to drive a motor of a power tool to rotate in a first direction when the switch operates in the ON state and to rotate in a second direction for a predetermined time period counting from each instance the switch transitions to the OFF state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Jelley Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Feng-Ho Wang
  • Patent number: 9656490
    Abstract: An external table height adjustment technique for a printer system is disclosed. An operator can align an image gap between a printer table of the printer system and a printhead carriage via a height adjustment mechanism. The operator can perform the table height adjustment while a belt is installed on the printer table and media is loaded on top of the printer table. A height adjustment assembly is secured onto a supporting frame of the printer table such that an adjustment component exposed beyond an edge of the belt can raise or lower a portion of the printer table where the height adjustment assembly is secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS FOR IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Gregg King, Rob Whitten, Timothy Madan
  • Patent number: 9657632
    Abstract: A system for controlling an aerodynamic shutter of a vehicle includes an ambient temperature estimation module that determines an ambient temperature. A shutter control module that determines whether to actuate the shutter based on the ambient temperature. The shutter control module also determines a predetermined period before selectively applying a predetermined torque value to the shutter. The predetermined period is selected based on the ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Abeska, David J. Verbrugge, Scott P. Charnesky, John C. Remy, Brian A. Macfarlane, John F. Larsen, David W. Turner
  • Patent number: 9652977
    Abstract: A method for calibrating an automated window covering includes electromechanically actuating a window covering and measuring electrical current required to actuate the window covering. The method further measures movement of the window covering, where such movement includes one or more of a change in position and velocity of the window covering. The method estimates a size (e.g., height, width, area, etc.) of the window covering and/or an amount of force required to actuate the window covering based on the measured electrical current and movement. A corresponding apparatus is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Inventor: David R. Hall
  • Patent number: 9647587
    Abstract: A system for determining the position of a moving part driven by an electric motor: a single position sensor, coupled to the electric motor, incrementally detects an amount of movement thereof; a direction switching arrangement controls a direction of movement of the electric motor; and a control unit, coupled to the single position sensor and the direction switching arrangement, at each incremental amount of movement detected by the single position sensor, determines a current position of the moving part based on a previous position thereof and the current direction of movement controlled by the direction switching arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marco Marlia, Marco Bartalucci
  • Patent number: 9573394
    Abstract: A printing mechanism having an engaging body that is rotatable between an engaging position, in which it retains a printing roller in a position facing a thermal printing head, and a disengaging position wherein it enables the printing roller to be removed; a reversible drive shaft rotating in one direction rotates the printing roller and rotating in the opposite direction moves the engaging body to the disengaging position, owing to a unidirectional joint that connects the drive shaft to the engaging body only when the drive shaft rotates in an opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: CUSTOM S.P.A.
    Inventor: Alberto Campanini
  • Patent number: 9423785
    Abstract: A tool trajectory display device capable of displaying an inversion position of a servo axis on a tool trajectory. The display device has a position information obtaining part and velocity information obtaining part which obtain position information and velocity information of at least one servo axis, respectively, from numerical controller; a tool coordinate calculating part which calculates a coordinate value of a tool center point based on the position information and information of a mechanical constitution of the machine tool; an inversion position calculating part which calculates an inversion position where a polarity of a velocity of the servo axis is changed, based on the velocity information and the calculated coordinate value; and a displaying part which displays a trajectory of the tool center point based on the calculated coordinate, and displays the inversion position of the servo axis on the trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junichi Tezuka, Hajime Ogawa