Patents Examined by David J Hlavka
  • Patent number: 11198358
    Abstract: A motor vehicle drive apparatus includes a device configured to connect an internal combustion engine to an electromechanical energy converter, and first and second drive trains. The second drivetrain is arranged parallel to the first drivetrain in relation to torque transmission between the electromechanical energy converter and the internal combustion engine. The first drivetrain has a one-way clutch which is set up in such a manner that torque is transmittable via the first drivetrain from the electromechanical energy converter to the internal combustion engine during starting of the internal combustion engine. The second drivetrain has a speed-sensitive clutch which in a first state is open until a first speed threshold is reached, so that in the first state no torque is transmittable with the second drivetrain from the internal combustion engine to the electromechanical energy converter. The speed-sensitive clutch is closed from the crossing of this first speed threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Georg Koetzinger
  • Patent number: 11192440
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, an electric-power generator, an electric motor and a transmission device. The transmission device includes an input gear, an output gear, an intermediate gear, a case and a connection-disconnection device. The connection-disconnection device is configured to switch between connecting and disconnecting a path along which the drive force is inputted to the input gear. When viewed from a direction long a rotational axis, a rotational axis of an intermediate gear is positioned vertically higher than a straight line that links a rotational axis of the input gear and a rotational axis of the output gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Tsukizaki
  • Patent number: 11192449
    Abstract: A drive force transfer device is mounted on a four-wheel-drive vehicle having main drive wheels and auxiliary drive wheels. A cam mechanism presses a main clutch in the axial direction. An electromagnetic clutch mechanism actuates the cam mechanism and has an electromagnetic coil and a pilot clutch. When the electromagnetic coil is not energized, the pressing force of the cam mechanism, which is generated because of drag torque of the pilot clutch in the case where a output rotary member rotates faster than a input rotary member, is smaller than that generated because of drag torque of the pilot clutch in the case where the input rotary member rotates faster than the output rotary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Niikawa, Kenji Korenaga
  • Patent number: 11187283
    Abstract: In an overrunning clutch, a clutch link axially overlaps another clutch link and a control element of a control mechanism, via which the axial displacement of a connecting link acting between the clutch links is initiated, is arranged on the radial inside of the overlap on the connecting link. The overrunning clutch is particularly suitable for use in a drive train of a motor vehicle and which can transmit high torque despite compactness in structure, operates extensively without noise in the overrunning direction, and has only low mass to be moved during a shifting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Ltd.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Beigang, Thomas Weckerling
  • Patent number: 11187306
    Abstract: A two-speed pulley assembly for an engine accessory drive includes a planetary gear, a pulley, a friction clutch, and a one-way clutch. The planetary gear has a ring gear, a sun gear, a planet carrier, and a planet gear. The planet gear is rotatable relative to the planet carrier and is drivingly engaged with the ring gear and the sun gear. The pulley circumscribes the ring gear and is in driving engagement with the ring gear. The friction clutch is arranged to selectively prevent rotation of the sun gear. The one-way clutch is arranged between the sun gear and the ring gear to permit rotation of the sun gear relative to the ring gear in a first rotational direction, and prevents rotation in a second rotational direction, opposite the first rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Nicholas Hrusch, Brian Lee
  • Patent number: 11187312
    Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover arranged to receive torque; an impeller including an impeller shell fixed to the cover; a turbine including a turbine shell; a stator including at least one stator blade axially disposed between the impeller shell and the turbine shell; and a lock-up clutch. The lock-up clutch includes: a piston plate non-rotatably connected to the cover; a dam plate; a centering plate axially disposed between the cover and the dam plate; a first chamber bounded at least in part by the cover and the piston plate; a second chamber bounded at least in part by the piston plate and the dam plate; a first channel connected to the first chamber and bounded at least in part by the cover and the centering plate; and a second channel connected to the second chamber and bounded at least in part by the centering plate and the dam plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kyle Nelson, Victor Norwich, Justin Persinger
  • Patent number: 11187287
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling engagement of an engine clutch in a hybrid electric vehicle in which an engagement control method of the engine clutch is accurately determined so as to minimize a determination error and a sense of discontinuity caused by conversion of the engagement control method resulting therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chun Hyuk Lee, Kwon Chae Chung, Seong Ik Park
  • Patent number: 11181193
    Abstract: A multi-speed planetary transmission is operable in at least nine forward speed ratios, at least one reverse speed ratio, and at least one neutral speed ratio. A hydraulic control system for the transmission includes a hydraulic default control system and is operable to a default configuration when a default condition occurs during operation of the transmission. The hydraulic control system defaults to a forward default gear ratio during operation of the transmission in a first forward speed ratio and defaults to a default neutral speed ratio during operation of the transmission in a reverse speed ratio when a default condition occurs. The default condition may be a transmission control module (“TCM”) power failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth P. Dick, Bryan H. Hagelskamp
  • Patent number: 11181173
    Abstract: A powertrain for an electric vehicle, may include: an input shaft and an output shaft mounted in parallel to each other; first and second power transmission mechanisms provided to transmit power from the input shaft to the output shaft at two gear ratios different from each other; a one-way clutch included in the first power transmission mechanism; a friction clutch included in the second power transmission mechanism; and a bypass mechanism provided to form a power transmission path that bypasses the one-way clutch and a power transmission path that bypasses the friction clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jong Yun Park, Hang Chul Cho, Sang Bum Baek, Byung Dae Choi, Seong Eun Yun, Joon Lee, Sung Wha Hong, Hyeon Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 11180017
    Abstract: A device for driving a vehicle including an engine that serves as a power source of the vehicle, and a transmission that is connected to the engine, the engine and the transmission being arranged transversely such that an axial direction of an output shaft of the engine accords with a right-left direction of the vehicle includes a motor generator (MG) that serves as a power source of the vehicle, and a speed reducer that is connected to the MG. The MG and at least a part of the speed reducer are arranged outside of an engine compartment that accommodates the engine and the transmission. An output shaft of the speed reducer is connected to a power transmission system, which transmits power of an output shaft of the transmission to a drive shaft of a vehicle wheel to be capable of transmitting its power to the power transmission system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Shinkai, Takashi Sato, Takurou Nakaoka, Takeo Maekawa, Keiji Kondou
  • Patent number: 11174905
    Abstract: A transmission for a machine is disclosed. The transmission may comprise a first torque path for transmission of torque from an input shaft to an output shaft, and a single clutch element along the first torque path. The transmission may further comprise a clutch actuator configured to actuate engagement of the clutch element, and a clutch pressure control (CPC) valve configured to permit a flow of hydraulic fluid to the clutch actuator when in an open position to cause the clutch actuator to actuate engagement of the clutch element. The transmission may further comprise a FMR valve having a failure position obstructing flow of the hydraulic fluid from the CPC valve to the clutch actuator when the CPC valve is in the open position. The FMR valve actuated by pilot pressure from a CPC valve that controls actuation of other clutch elements that are not on the first torque path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Konrad Garrett, Aaron Benjamin Crabtree, Michael David Beyer, Gaurav Vasudeva, Brian Eugene Lister
  • Patent number: 11173779
    Abstract: A drive unit for a powertrain of an electrically driveable motor vehicle is disclosed having a first electrical machine and a second electrical machine and an output shaft, wherein a rotor of the second electrical machine is connected to the output shaft for conjoint rotation. The drive unit also has a disconnect clutch, by which a rotor of the first electrical machine for torque transmission is connectable to the output shaft, wherein the rotor of one of the electrical machines is at least indirectly supported radially on the rotor of the other electrical machine by at least one bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Benjamin Stober, Lionel Huber
  • Patent number: 11168749
    Abstract: A clutch (10) for selectively preventing rotatory movement of a cogged gear (12) about an axis may include an actuator (20) and a pivotally moveable pawl (40) that is interactive with the cogged gear (12). A plunger (24) may be radially movable within and by the actuator (20). A pair of axially spaced sidewalls (16, 18) may include an opposed radially extending slot (52). A pawl pusher (50) may be radially movable between the plunger (24) and the pawl (40). The pawl pusher (50) may include a pair of axially extending wing portions (54, 56) that may be slidably supported in one of the opposed slots (52) to limit movement of the pawl pusher (50) to radial, only. Axial and/or circumferential force loads transmitted to the pawl pusher (50) by the pawl (40) may not be transferred to the radially movable plunger (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Peglowski, Calahan Campton, Michael W. Campbell
  • Patent number: 11168751
    Abstract: A driving force transmission device includes an input rotation member, an output rotation member, a multiple-disc clutch, a pressing mechanism, and a control device including a current supply circuit. The control device is configured to compute a torque command value, to compute a current command value, to correct the current command value, and to control the current supply circuit such that an electric current depending on the current command value is supplied to the pressing mechanism. The control device is configure to correct the current command value by a correction amount in a constant-torque state after the torque command value changes, the constant-torque state being a state where a change rate of the torque command value is in a predetermined range, the correction amount depending on a duration of the constant-torque state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ichiro Oda, Go Nagayama, Tomonori Ono, Takashi Kouzai
  • Patent number: 11167762
    Abstract: This vehicle transmission system includes a transmission (21) in which a gear is shifted by an operation of a driver of a vehicle (1), a clutch device (26) that is disposed in a motion transfer path between the transmission (21) and an engine (13) of the vehicle (1), and is disconnected and connected by an action of a clutch actuator (50), and a clutch control unit (61) that is configured to control disconnection and connection of the clutch device (26) by the clutch actuator (50). In a case where the vehicle (1) is started with a gear position of the transmission (21) located at or above a gear that is set in advance, and a vehicle speed (V) is less than or no higher than a set value (v2) that is set in advance, the clutch control unit (61) transitions to clutch capacity-limiting control in which a clutch capacity is reduced below that during normal clutch control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Ryuzaki, Junya Ono
  • Patent number: 11167747
    Abstract: A drive unit for a drivetrain of a hybrid motor vehicle comprises a first electric machine and a second electric machine, which, in respect of its rotor, is arranged coaxially with an axis of rotation of a rotor of the first electric machine. A first transmission stage is arranged between a drive component, which is configured to be selectively coupled for conjoint rotation to an output shaft of an internal combustion engine, and a power shaft of the first electric machine and/or of the second electric machine. A transmission component unit is provided, via which the power shaft of the respective electric machine is configured to be selectively coupled to wheel driveshafts. The drive component of the internal combustion engine is coupled to an intermediate gear unit via a second transmission stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Trinkenschuh, Steffen Lehmann
  • Patent number: 11162546
    Abstract: This clutch control device includes an engine (13), a transmission gear (21), a clutch device (26), a clutch actuator (50), a control unit (60), a control parameter sensor (58), a clutch operator (4b), and a clutch operation amount sensor (4c), wherein the control unit (60) is configured to enable intervention of a manual clutch operation according to the clutch operator (4b) during automatic control of the clutch device (26) according to the clutch actuator (50), and the control unit (60) is configured to set a control target value of a clutch capacity to a connection preparation target value (Py) acquired by causing an operation target value (Pv) corresponding to an amount of operation of the clutch operator (4b) to approach a disconnection determination value (Pz) in a case in which a control parameter detected by the control parameter sensor (58) reaches the disconnection determination value (Pz) set in advance at a time of performing a clutch disconnection operation through intervention of the manual clu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junya Ono, Tatsuya Ryuzaki, Go Morita, Kohei Matsuura
  • Patent number: 11162544
    Abstract: A freewheel for blocking or interrupting a torque transmission of a motor vehicle comprises a first ring configured for the input and/or output of a torque and a second ring that is arranged substantially coaxially to the first ring and configured for the output and/or input of the torque. The freewheel includes a plurality of first blocking elements, movable between a blocking position and a freewheeling position, for blocking the first ring with the second ring in a circumferential direction in the blocking position and for interrupting a torque transmission between the first ring and the second ring in the freewheeling position. A decoupler is coupled to the second ring or to the first ring for damping rotational irregularities. The decoupler has a housing, mounted on the first ring or the second ring via a housing bearing, for providing a restoring torque directed against the rotational irregularity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Benjamin Stober, Philipp Rasch
  • Patent number: 11161404
    Abstract: A drivetrain unit for a motor vehicle comprises a hybrid module, which includes an electric machine having a stator and a rotor, with at least two clutches having clutch parts that are respectively connectable to one another. A rotor carrier is provided, to which the rotor is attached and to which in each case one clutch part of the at least two clutches is connected for conjoint rotation therewith. A transmission device interacts with the hybrid module by a first transmission input shaft and the rotor carrier is mounted on the first transmission input shaft so as to be rotatable relative thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dierk Reitz
  • Patent number: 11148526
    Abstract: Methods and systems for an electric drive axle of a vehicle are provided. A gear train in an electric drive axle system includes, in one example, an input shaft configured to rotationally couple to an electric motor-generator and including a first gear and an intermediate shaft including a second gear rotationally coupled to the first gear and a third gear and a fourth gear each configured to rotationally couple to a separate gear on an output shaft. In this example, the second gear, the third gear, and the fourth gear have different sizes, the third gear includes an axial extension having at outer surface, and an interior surface of the second gear circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the outer surface of the axial extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventor: Eric M. Engerman