Patents Examined by Dirk Wright
  • Patent number: 11254303
    Abstract: A method of controlling gear shifting of a hybrid vehicle including an engine, a motor, and a stepped transmission includes predicting a requested torque reduction amount requested by the engine and the motor when there is a request to shift gears of the transmission, determining whether to realize the predicted requested torque reduction amount by reducing motor torque or applying counter torque, as a result of the determining, when it is not possible to realize the predicted requested torque reduction amount, determining an operating point correction amount for increasing an available torque reduction amount of the motor, and determining whether to perform first gear-shifting control in consideration of efficiency of the first gear-shifting control of increasing the motor torque and reducing engine torque by the operating point correction amount before an actual requested torque reduction amount is input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Joon Young Park
  • Patent number: 11254199
    Abstract: A transmission (G) includes an input shaft (GW1), an output shaft (GW2), an electric machine (EM), a plurality of planetary gear sets (P1-P3; 2P1-2P5), and gear-implementing shift elements (S1-S6; 2S1-2S5). Via engagement of a first of the gear-implementing shift elements (S1, 2S1), which is a force-locking shift element having a variable torque transmission capacity, the input shaft (GW1) and an element (E1, 22E1) of one of the planetary gear sets (P3; 2P4) can be brought into a fixed rotational speed relationship with respect to each other. Another element (E2, 22E2a, 22E2b) of one of the planetary gear sets (P1, 2P3, 2P5) is permanently connected to a rotor (R) of the electric machine (EM). By engaging an auxiliary shift element (ZS, 2ZSa, 2ZSb), which is a form-locking shift element, the rotor (R) and the input shaft (GW1) can be brought into a fixed rotational speed relationship with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Martin Brehmer, Stefan Beck, Anton Fritzer, Suryanto Hendrawan, Matthias Horn, Johannes Kaltenbach, Raffael Kuberczyk, Jens Moraw, Gerhard Niederbrucker, Martin Rattay, Matthias Reisch, Wolfgang Rieger, Thomas Rosemeier, Lara Ruth Turner, Bernd Unseld, Viktor Warth, Michael Wechs, Peter Ziemer, Oliver Bayer
  • Patent number: 11247558
    Abstract: A transmission arrangement for the controllable distribution of a drive torque from an input element to at least one output element in an all wheel drive train of an all wheel drive motor vehicle, comprising an additional drive unit, a first transmission part region, the first transmission part region being drive-connected directly or indirectly to the additional drive unit, a second transmission part region, the first transmission part region being connected indirectly via the second transmission part region to the output element, and a selector element, it being possible for the selector element to be moved into three shifting positions, namely a first shifting position, in which the first transmission part region is drive-connected to the input element, a second shifting position, in which the first transmission part region is drive-connected to the second transmission part region, and a third shifting position, in which the first transmission part region is drive-connected neither to the input element nor
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN GMBH & CO KG
    Inventor: Gerhard Hofer
  • Patent number: 11248701
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission structure for a hybrid vehicle with an internal combustion engine, a first electric machine, and a second electric machine. In this case, a first electric machine shaft which is assigned to the first electric machine can be driven by a drive shaft which can be driven by the internal combustion engine via a first gear set. In this case, a travel drive gear of a differential gearing of the vehicle can be driven by a second electric machine shaft assigned to the second electric machine via a second gear set. The transmission structure can thereby be compactly designed and in particular, the use of the installation space and/or the efficiency of the electric machines can be improved in that the first gear set has a ring gear with inner teeth and a spur gear which engages with the inner teeth of the ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Frank Müller
  • Patent number: 11241950
    Abstract: A powertrain for a hybrid vehicle may include a complex planetary gear set including four rotation elements having first, second, third, and fourth rotation elements; a motor-generator fixedly connected to the first rotation element of the complex planetary gear set; a first brake configured to selectively connect the second rotation element of the complex planetary gear set to a transmission housing; an input shaft connected to an engine and configured to be selectively connectable to each of the first rotation element and the third rotation element of the complex planetary gear set; and an output shaft connected to the fourth rotation element of the complex planetary gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hyu Tae Shim, Bong Hyun Cho, Jae Young Jeon, Byung Dae Choi, Hyung Min Kim, Jin Yong Kim, Gwang Soo Hwang, Jun Seong Kang
  • Patent number: 11235654
    Abstract: A method and system for an axle assembly are provided. The axle assembly, in one example, includes a cover at least partially circumferentially surrounding a shaft, a bearing coupled to the shaft and the cover, the bearing including an outer race, and a bearing adjuster including a first axial side adjacent to the outer race and configured to set a bearing preload and/or end play. The assembly further includes a lubricant seal spaced axially away from the bearing adjuster and sealing a lubricant bore and the lubricant bore traverses the cover and extends axially toward the bearing adjuster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventor: Mark W. Leber
  • Patent number: 11226030
    Abstract: A motor apparatus having an oil circulation structure may collect churning oil inside a housing and efficiently disperses the collected oil in each drive system, smoothly performing cooling and lubrication of the drive system including a motor and a reduction gear. Furthermore, even under low or high load conditions of the drive system, the oil level inside the housing is maintained at a constant level to maintain desired lubrication and cooling performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Shin Jong Kim, Sang Jin Park, Seung Jae Kang, Jong Hyun Kim, Byoung Hoon Choi
  • Patent number: 11220168
    Abstract: An electric axle assembly includes a suspension frame and drive assemblies coupled to opposing sides of the suspension frame. The electric axle assembly engages with wheels of a vehicle for rotating the wheels to move the vehicle along a ground surface. A drive unit transfers motive force to the wheels through one or more gearsets and axle shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.
    Inventor: Shaun Mepham
  • Patent number: 11215268
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling transmissions having CVTs are disclosed with multiple modes and gearing arrangements for range enhancements, where embodiments include synchronous shifting to allow the transmission to achieve a continuous range of transmission ratios, while minimizing “empty” cycling of the CVT during mode shifts. Embodiments provide for wide ratio range and performance and efficiency flexibility, while maximizing CVT usage through synchronous shifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC
    Inventor: Brian Schoolcraft
  • Patent number: 11215277
    Abstract: The present invention is a torque reduction system comprising: a planetary gear set comprising; a sun gear, planetary gears, and a ring gear having at least one mount, a linkage arm having a first end and second end connected to the ring gear and a housing, wherein the linkage arm has one aperture at a first end and at least two apertures at the second end, and a slot positioned between the first and second end relative to the at least one mount of the ring gear; and at least one bearing positioned between the housing and the ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Inventor: John Matthew Hawkins
  • Patent number: 11209071
    Abstract: A planetary transmission includes at least two planetary stages. A sun shaft of a planetary stage of the at least two planetary stages is connected for transmission of torque via a coupling toothing system to a planetary carrier of a second transmission stage of the at least two planetary stages that follows the first transmission stage. The coupling toothing system is a flat notch toothing system. A drive train of a wind power plant, in which a corresponding planetary transmission is used as transmission, is also provided. A wind power plant that is equipped with a corresponding drive train is provided. An industrial application that has a corresponding planetary transmission as transmission is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: FLENDER GMBH
    Inventors: Ralf Gettler, Dirk Holweger
  • Patent number: 11203341
    Abstract: A method to control a road vehicle for the execution of a standing start; the control method comprises the steps of: engaging a gear in a transmission while a corresponding clutch is open; progressively closing the clutch causing the clutch to transmit a torque that causes the rotation of at least a pair of drive wheels; determining a target slip of the drive wheels; cyclically determining a real slip of the of the drive wheels; and continuously modulating the torque transmitted by the clutch during the closing of the clutch based of a difference between the target slip of the drive wheels and the real slip of the of the drive wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: FERRARI S.P.A.
    Inventors: Alessandro Barone, Andrea Nannini, Giacomo Senserini, Stefano Marconi
  • Patent number: 11198356
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a drive arrangement for a vehicle including a housing, a double planetary gear set partially or fully contained within the housing, an input shaft selectively engaged with the double planetary gear set, a first clutch assembly coupled to the input shaft and selectively engaged with the double planetary gear set, a second clutch assembly coupled to the input shaft and selectively engaged with the double planetary gear set, and a sliding spline coupled to the input shaft and selectively engaged with the double planetary gear set. The double planetary gear set including a first sun gear, a second sun gear, a first set of planetary gears, a second set of planetary gears, a planetary gear carrier, and a ring gear, wherein components of the double planetary gear set are lockable thereby providing three different gear ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew T. Brammer, Michael D. Cook
  • Patent number: 11198355
    Abstract: A hybrid power driving system includes an engine, a planetary gear device, a first motor, a clutch gear, a brake device, a first clutch, a second clutch, an intermediate shaft, and a second motor, wherein the engine and the first motor are connected by the planetary gear device, the planetary gear device includes a first rotating element, a second rotating element and a third rotating element, the first rotating element is connected to the first motor, and the second rotating element is connected to the engine, and the clutch gear is connected to the intermediate shaft; the brake device is configured to brake or unlock the third rotating element; and the second motor is connected to the intermediate shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: GUANGZHOU AUTOMOBILE GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Yang, Jiangling Zhao, Yang Shang, Zeqing Dong, Guoqiang Zu, Qianru Su
  • Patent number: 11192441
    Abstract: A powertrain for a hybrid vehicle may include a planetary gear set including five rotation elements, an input shaft connected to an engine and configured to be selectively connectable to a first rotation element and to a fourth rotation element of the planetary gear set, a motor generator connected to a second rotation element of the planetary gear set, an output shaft connected to a third rotation element of the planetary gear set, and a brake configured to selectively fix the fifth rotation element of the planetary gear set to a transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hyung Min Kim, Bong Hyun Cho, Jae Young Jeon, Byung Dae Choi, Jin Yong Kim, Hyu Tae Shim, Gwang Soo Hwang, Jun Seong Kang
  • Patent number: 11180133
    Abstract: A hybrid-vehicle system includes an internal combustion engine configured to deliver a first rotational torque to a crankshaft. The first rotational torque is a maximum torque deliverable by the internal combustion engine. The hybrid-vehicle system also includes a transmission selectively rotatably coupled to the crankshaft, and an assembly including an electric machine rotatably coupled to the transmission and configured to deliver a second rotational torque directly to the transmission. The assembly also includes a one-way clutch configured to rotationally couple the crankshaft and the transmission. The assembly further includes a friction clutch moveable between an engaged state where the crankshaft and the transmission are rotationally coupled, and a disengaged state where the crankshaft and the transmission are rotationally decoupled. In the engaged state, the friction clutch is limited to delivering 85% or less of the first rotational torque to the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Borg Warner Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Campbell, Calahan B. Campton
  • Patent number: 11180016
    Abstract: The present invention provides a power system for a hybrid vehicle, relating to the field of hybrid vehicles. The power system mainly includes an engine, a first motor, a second motor, a first planetary gear mechanism, a second planetary gear mechanism, a first input shaft, a first clutch, a brake, and a second clutch. Since the second motor is connected to the first input shaft through the second planetary gear mechanism, the planetary gear mechanism can reduce the speed of the second motor and increase the torque to effectively reduce the size of the second motor or improve the acceleration performance of the vehicle. Since the first clutch between the first input shaft and the engine is disengaged when driven by the second motor, the drag resistance of the engine is reduced, and the fuel economy of the vehicle is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignees: NINGBO UMD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CO., LTD., ZHEJIANG GEELY HOLDING GROUP CO., LTD
    Inventors: Zhiling Qiu, Tejinder Singh, Weiqian Xie
  • Patent number: 11174933
    Abstract: A transmission for a motor vehicle has an input shaft, an output shaft, a ratio-changing device by which different transmission ratios are made available, a housing, a hub connected to a torsional damper, and a separating clutch including a first clutch half and a second clutch half. The hub is connected to the first clutch half. The input shaft is rotationally fixed to the second clutch half and extends axially into the ratio-changing device. A first axial end of the input shaft is directly or indirectly supported on the housing in a radial direction via a first bearing. A second axial end of the input shaft is supported directly on the hub in the radial direction via a second bearing. Additionally, the hub is directly supported on a bearing shield in the radial direction via a third bearing, the bearing shield being rotationally fixed to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Thomas Riedisser, Kim Führer
  • Patent number: 11168762
    Abstract: A planetary gearbox with two rows of planets between an inner race and a coaxial outer race. An input gear may also mesh with the inner planets or the outer planets. To avoid unmeshing of the gears due to twisting from the applied torque, a camming effect may be used in which applied torque generates a radial preload. The gears that mesh with the input gear may do so at portions of the gears that also mesh with a corresponding one of the inner or outer race. The planets may be geared with axial portions with different helix angle. The inner race or outer race may be formed of two components geared with different helix angle to mesh with the different axial portions of the planets. By using these different components, assembly is eased as the components can be slid onto the planets axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Genesis Advanced Technology Inc.
    Inventors: James Brent Klassen, Richard Bos
  • Patent number: 11167634
    Abstract: A drive train for a hybrid vehicle, in particular for a temporarily four-wheel-driven motor vehicle, wherein the drive train comprises a first partial drive train assigned to a primary axle and a second partial drive train assigned to a secondary axle, and wherein the first partial drive train comprises a first drive unit configured as an internal combustion engine and a second drive unit configured as an electric machine and a change transmission, is refined in that the hybrid drive train is inexpensive to produce, has low CO2 emissions in operation, and may be used in a drive train of a temporarily four-wheel-driven motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN GMBH & CO KG
    Inventors: Gerhard Hofer, Hansdieter Wiedner, Stefan Tischlinger