Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.

Toyota Technical Center, U.s.a., Inc.

Daniel K Lim

Luke Alan Rippelmeyer

Christopher M Bulpitt

Laura E Bower

Arlo C Eitzer

Jonathan J Sander

Scott A Friedman

Jared Michael Farnsworth

Daniel Charles Folick

Takehito Yokoo

Andrew G Sata

Nicholas Earl Merkel

Andi J Song

Systems and methods are provided to modularizing a device. In various embodiments, the harness in provided that accommodates many different configurations of the modules. The harness may function as a single element that needs to be replaced and/or connected to accommodate different configurations of modules. The harness may be modular. In various embodiments, unused lines of the harness are capped. In various embodiments, the cap completes a circuit, so that the control system interprets the systems as functioning despite the unused line, whereas the control system may shutdown the system is the unused line is left uncapped. In various embodiments, the harness is used to send control signals to elements of parallel power systems that have high voltage systems that are electronically isolated from one another.

Modular fuel cell system architecture and harness

Systems and methods are provided for modularizing a system. Parallel power systems having electronically isolated high voltage systems facilitate modulization. A control system is provided that optimizes the distribution of a power demand and/or a torque request so as to keep the efficiency, durability, drivability and/or safety of the system within an optimum range. In some cases, the distribution of power is uneven, so as to extend the battery life, while in other cases, the power draw on battery systems are kept equal and constant so as to properly manage the state of charge of the parallel power systems. In still other cases, the chosen power distribution keeps the power demand and/or torque request between minimum and maximum levels/capacity, and the power distribution avoids on/off of an individual power system.

Modular fuel cell system architecture and a control system for distributing power to the modules

Systems and methods provide a drive system control architecture that comprises a seamless interface between original equipment manufacturer (OEM) vehicle systems or components (e.g., accelerator pedal, brake pedal, accessory components, etc.) and third-party (or non-OEM) vehicle systems or components (e.g., motor/generator (MG) and inverter systems, fuel cell and battery systems, transmission, etc.). A universal interface implemented in a vehicle may receive a request for a specified amount of torque from one or more components of a first set of vehicle components, and may determine a balance between one or more components of a second set of vehicle components for delivering the specified amount of torque. The universal interface may then instruct the one or more components of the second set of vehicle components to deliver a commensurate portion of the specified amount of torque.

Drive system controls architecture for OEM interface and services

A console assembly for an automotive vehicle having a housing secured to the vehicle which defines a cavity open at one end of the housing. A drawer support extends outwardly from a lower end of the open end of the housing and at least one track is attached to the drawer support. A drawer has a portion dimensioned to fit within the housing cavity and the drawer is movable between a closed position in which the drawer is positioned within the housing cavity, and an open position in which the drawer overlies the drawer support. At least one shoe is attached to the drawer and slidably mounted to the track so that the shoe slides along the track as the drawer is moved between its open and closed positions. At least one elongated bearing slide assembly is also provided between the drawer and the housing to slidably support the drawer.

Console assembly for an automotive vehicle

The present invention provides a control knob assembly for a register that is used in a blower of an HVAC system of an automobile. The assembly includes a knob portion having an open side for receiving a vane of the register in snap fit engagement. The vane of the register includes a notched portion disposed on a rear edge thereof. A compressively resilient pad is disposed in the notched portion and extends outwardly beyond the rear edge to contact an inner surface of the knob portion and provide a snug fit between the vane and the knob portion. During manipulation of the vane by the user, the compressively resilient pad does not compress resulting in a consistently stable and robust feeling experienced by the user.

Vent control knob for an automotive vehicle air vent

Growing community of inventors

Canton, MI, United States of America

Daniel K Lim