Adam M Ludwig

US Patent:

7938482, May 10, 2011

Filed:

Nov 30, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/627151

Inventors:

Adam Michael Ludwig - Ann Arbor MI, US
Stephen Bie Khoe - Dearborn Heights MI, US
Jim Scheerhorn - Holland MI, US

Assignee:

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Erlanger KY

International Classification:

B60J 7/00

US Classification:

29621607, 296223

Abstract:

A moon roof assembly for a vehicle includes an actuator-driven panel having an open position and a closed position. A moon roof trim ring at least partially surrounds the panel. The moon roof trim ring includes a control housing for supporting a control system. A control system is located in the control housing. The control system includes a control member that is exposed through an opening in the moon roof trim ring for actuating the control member and moving the panel between the open position and the closed position.

US Patent:

7967486, Jun 28, 2011

Filed:

Dec 1, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/628570

Inventors:

Adam Michael Ludwig - Ann Arbor MI, US
Jim Scheerhorn - Holland MI, US
Ralph Spooner - Holland MI, US

Assignee:

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Erlanger KY

International Classification:

F21V 33/00

US Classification:

362490, 362511

Abstract:

The present invention provides a lighting assembly wherein a trim ring, containing a lighting assembly, is mounted on a vehicle headliner. The lighting assembly contains a lighting element having a light engine. The light engine having a housing and a light source mounted within the housing. The housing optionally containing a circuit board adapted to control light emitting from the light source. The light source contained within the housing may either be an LED or a traditional light bulb. The light source may optionally be colored, or textured, to provide unique ambient mood light options. The assembly further provides a light pipe having at least one light pipe aperture. The lighting element positioned adjacent, or connected to, the light pipe aperture. The light source in the lighting element directs light down the light pipe thereby creating a uniform output of light along the light pipe. Light from the light pipe is directed into the vehicle interior, mainly onto the vehicle headliner, thereby creating ambient mood lighting within the automotive interior.

US Patent:

8141940, Mar 27, 2012

Filed:

Dec 1, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/628685

Inventors:

Adam Michael Ludwig - Ann Arbor MI, US
Jeff Charles Hills - Grand Rapids MI, US

Assignee:

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Erlanger KY

International Classification:

B60R 13/02

US Classification:

296214, 296 108

Abstract:

A headliner assembly for covering an inner surface of an automotive vehicle roof having an opening is provided. The headliner assembly includes a dimensionally stable substrate having an upper surface facing the inner surface of the roof, and an opposite lower surface. The substrate is secured to the opening of the roof at an attachment point. A reinforcement member having a top surface and an opposite bottom surface fixedly secured to the top surface of the substrate. The reinforcement member is disposed adjacent the attachment point to provide additional rigidity to a region of the substrate surrounding the attachment point.

US Patent:

8240750, Aug 14, 2012

Filed:

Dec 1, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/628694

Inventors:

Adam Michael Ludwig - Ann Arbor MI, US
Jeff Charles Hills - Grand Rapids MI, US
Donald Federico - Grass Lake MI, US

Assignee:

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Erlanger KY

International Classification:

B60H 1/24
B60J 7/00

US Classification:

296208, 296214

Abstract:

An air duct system which mates an air duct attached to the roof of an automotive vehicle and an air duct attached to a nonexposed surface of a headliner is provided. The air duct system is attached to an air supply which delivers directed air and is disposed between an inner surface of the roof and the nonexposed surface of the headliner. The headliner includes an opening into the passenger compartment of the automotive vehicle. The air duct system includes a first air duct and a second air duct. The first air duct is attached to the inner surface of the roof, and the second air duct is attached to the nonexposed surface of the headliner. Upon installation of the headliner to the roof a portal on the first air duct registers with a portal on the second air duct so as to provide an air flow passage between said first air duct and said second air duct.

US Patent:

8366303, Feb 5, 2013

Filed:

Dec 1, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/628651

Inventors:

Adam Michael Ludwig - Ann Arbor MI, US
Jeff Charles Hills - Grand Rapids MI, US
Jim Scheerhorn - Holland MI, US

Assignee:

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Erlanger KY

International Classification:

F21V 21/14

US Classification:

362490, 362488, 362489

Abstract:

The present invention provides an automotive interior lamp assembly mounted to an automotive headliner further including a curtain side airbag mounted about the headliner. As the curtain side airbag quickly deploys and forces through the vehicle headliner, the lamp assembly can be forcibly detached from the headliner at a high rate of speed. The present invention provides an improved retainer to better attach the light assembly to the headliner thereby preventing detachment of the lamp assembly from the headliner. The lamp assembly includes a lamp housing having a lamp receiving configured to accept a lamp. The housing further includes a retainer receiving side configured to accept a retainer. The retainer attached to the housing by means of a plurality of attachment members provided on the retainer, and at least one snap member also provided on the retainer. The housing has a plurality of attachment member receiving cavities and at least one snap member receiving cavity.

US Patent:

20070046073, Mar 1, 2007

Filed:

Aug 23, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/209428

Inventors:

Adam Ludwig - Ann Arbor MI, US
Anica Felton - Canton MI, US

International Classification:

B60J 7/00

US Classification:

296214000

Abstract:

A headliner includes a substrate defining an inner surface. A cup extends outwardly from the inner surface of the substrate. The cup defines an end wall spaced apart from the substrate. The cup has a tubular side wall extending between the end wall and the inner surface of the substrate. The end wall defines an aperture for receiving a fastener therethrough for securing the headliner to an inner surface of a vehicle roof. The side wall defines a first slot for receiving and engaging a portion of the fastener therethrough to maintain the fastener within the aperture of the end wall.

US Patent:

20070182216, Aug 9, 2007

Filed:

Nov 9, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/558038

Inventors:

Adam M. Ludwig - Ann Arbor MI, US

Assignee:

Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Erlanger KY

International Classification:

B60J 7/00

US Classification:

296214

Abstract:

An energy absorbent and stiffening assembly for an automotive headliner. The assembly includes at least one energy absorbent cone and at least one stiffening rib joined with and extending outwardly from the energy absorbent cone which stiffens the headliner.

US Patent:

20110028077, Feb 3, 2011

Filed:

Jul 28, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/510752

Inventors:

Adam Michael Ludwig - Ann Arbor MI, US
Donald Federico - Grass Lake MI, US
Yan Liu - Canton MI, US

Assignee:

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Erlanger KY

International Classification:

B60H 1/24

US Classification:

454143

Abstract:

A headliner duct for a heating-venting-air conditioning (HVAC) system in a motor vehicle is provided. The headliner duct can include a headliner and an elongated thermoformed aircap that has a wall and is bonded to a top side of the headliner. The thermoformed aircap and the headliner form an air duct, the air duct having an inlet and being operable to have an air flow pass therethrough. The elongated thermoformed aircap has an air-kick that is integral with the wall of the aircap and extends into an air flow region thereof.