Patents Examined by Frank B Vanaman
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Patent number: 11639092Abstract: Electric vehicles include adjustable battery positions and/or adjustable track widths for controlling vehicle stability. In some examples, an electric vehicle comprises a positioning mechanism configured to move the battery pack relative to the support structure (e.g., operable as the vehicle's frame) to change the vehicle's COG. The battery pack can be moved in response to other vehicle operations, e.g., COG changes caused by adding/moving loads, changes to the route grade, and the like. The battery pack can be slidably coupled to the support structure. In some examples, an electric vehicle comprises a track adjustment mechanism configured to move the vehicle's wheel axle relative to the support structure, along the wheel axle center axis, thereby changing the track width. The wheel axle can be coupled to a hub motor. In some examples, the battery is moved, and/or the track width is changed during the vehicle's operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2022Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: DIMAAG-AI, Inc.Inventor: Ian Wright
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Patent number: 11639110Abstract: An electrified drivetrain for a vehicle includes a first electric machine, a second electric machine, a clutch, an HVAC compressor, and a controller. The second electric machine is rotatably coupled to a geartrain, the first electric machine is rotatably coupled to the HVAC compressor, and is rotatably couplable to the geartrain via the clutch, and the clutch is operative in a first state and a second state. The first electric machine is rotatably coupled to the geartrain when the clutch is controlled to the first state, and is decoupled from the geartrain when the clutch is controlled to the second state. The controller is operatively connected to the first and second electric machines, the clutch, and the HVAC compressor to control operation of the electrified drivetrain. The first electric machine can be used as a heater element and to provide mechanical power to the drivetrain.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2020Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Neeraj S. Shidore, Madhusudan Raghavan, Norman K. Bucknor, Vicente Domenech-Llopis
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Patent number: 11633999Abstract: A hydraulic suspension system for a motor vehicle having at least a pair of road engaging wheels. The suspension system includes, a hydraulic cylinder coupled with the each of the pair of road engaging wheels, the hydraulic cylinder defining a cap end volume and a rod end volume separated by a piston. A hydraulic supply circuit for the hydraulic cylinder includes, a high pressure hydraulic source, a low pressure hydraulic drain, a pair of hydraulic sub circuits each coupled to one of the hydraulic cylinder cap and rod end volumes. Each hydraulic sub circuit includes, a proportional supply flow valve coupled with the high pressure hydraulic source and one of the cylinder volumes, a return flow control proportional valve coupled with the low pressure hydraulic drain and the one cylinder volume, and an accumulator coupled to the associated hydraulic cylinder volume through an accumulator fill control proportional valve.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2019Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: PRATT & MILLER ENGINEERING AND FABRICATION, LLCInventors: Kenneth J. Flory, Jesper Slattengren, Guido Francesco Ritelli
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Patent number: 11623608Abstract: A vehicle and a method of controlling the vehicle may include a seat belt apparatus to reduce the tension of the seat belt in the normal situation in which the collision does not occur by appropriately adjusting the tension of the seat belt based on the driving state of the vehicle, providing convenience to a passenger. In the collision situation, the safety of the passenger may be ensured by sufficiently increasing the tension of the seat belt. The vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a seat belt provided to adjust a tension; a driving assistance device configured to obtain vehicle driving information for assisting a driving of the vehicle; and a controller coupled to the driving assistance and configured to adjust the tension of the seat belt to correspond to a driving state of the vehicle based on the vehicle driving information obtained through the driving assistance device.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2019Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Hyunsu Kim
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Patent number: 11618279Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel rim for a vehicle wheel with cover elements.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2018Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: GV Engineering GmbHInventor: Konstantin Tsiberidis
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Patent number: 11607955Abstract: A tractor according includes a running vehicle body, a floor provided on the running vehicle body and serving as a floor surface of an operation part in which a driver is located, a floor bracket configured to support the floor, a fuel tank provided below the floor, and a pedal configured to move the running vehicle body forward or backward and having pivot shafts provided on the floor bracket between the floor and the fuel tank.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2020Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: ISEKI & CO., LTD.Inventor: Eiji Tomioka
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Patent number: 11607941Abstract: A propulsion drive system for a mobile machine includes an electric motor having a first range, in which a torque is constant as a rotational speed rises, and a second range, in which a power is constant as the rotational speed rises. The propulsion drive system further includes a transmission operatively connected mechanically to the electric motor. The propulsion drive system is configured to be transferred, via the transmission, from a state for relatively low driving speeds into a state for relatively high driving speeds of the mobile machine. The electric motor and the transmission are adapted to one another in such a way that the electric motor can be operated in the state for relatively low driving speeds exclusively in the first and second range.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2020Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Rico Gloeckner, Migen Bebeti, Jan Doering, Juergen Legner
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Patent number: 11602953Abstract: A housing unit for use in an axle end assembly including first and second housing parts, wherein one of the first and the second housing parts are disposed to be mutually rotatable and define a housing interior space, wherein the first housing part for establishing on a hub has a flange, wherein the second housing part for safeguarding against rotation in relation to a stator of a wheel suspension has an engagement portion, wherein a gear wheel assembly is disposed in the housing interior space to transmit a torque of a driveshaft to the first housing part, wherein one of the first and the second housing parts, when dismantling the housing unit from the wheel suspension, are mutually established that the housing interior space remains closed such that at least 70% of the outwardly protruding faces of the housing unit are closed in a fluid-tight manner.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2018Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND GmbHInventor: Olaf Drewes
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Patent number: 11603062Abstract: A protection system for a motor vehicle having a sensor for determining an angle of inclination of the motor vehicle about its longitudinal axis. An airbag attached on an outside of the motor vehicle. A processing device designed to detect a risk that the motor vehicle may tip over, on the basis of the inclination angle determined, and in that case activates the airbag. The airbag can be pivoted in the vertical direction from an area close to the ground.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2020Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventor: Marc Schieß
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Patent number: 11597451Abstract: In accordance with the disclosure provision is made for a vehicle. The vehicle is characterized in that a vehicle chassis of this vehicle includes a roughly tubular frame, a gearbox housing and underbody paneling. The frame, the gearbox housing and the underbody paneling are connected in such a manner that they form the vehicle chassis and hence a load-bearing frame for engine, bodywork and/or payload.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2020Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: SYN TRAC GMBHInventor: Stefan Putz
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Patent number: 11597249Abstract: A damper assembly has a longitudinal axis and includes a damper housing with a side wall portion and an end wall portion defining a damping chamber containing a quantity of damping fluid. A photon source and a photon receptor are operatively disposed in optical communication with the non-gaseous damping fluid in the damping chamber. The photon source is operable to direct a photon through the non-gaseous damping fluid toward an associated target surface. The photon receptor is operable to receive the photon reflected off the associated target surface through the non-gaseous damping fluid. A sensor suitable for such use as well as spring and damper assemblies and suspension systems are also included.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2019Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLCInventors: Samuel N. Mbugua, Graham R. Brookes, Brian S. DeBruler
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Patent number: 11584211Abstract: An electric vehicle comprises: a main battery which is disposed under the floor of a vehicle interior; a front seat which is provided for a front part of the vehicle interior; a front housing chamber which is formed under a seating surface of the front seat; and an air-suspension device including an air spring which is made to expand and contract by air pressure, an air compressor which compresses air, and one or more first surge tanks which store high-pressure air or low-pressure air, in which the first surge tanks and the air compressor are disposed in a front housing chamber.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2020Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Ryo Hattori, Yuchi Yamanouchi, Masaki Shitara
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Patent number: 11584473Abstract: A suspension control device is provided for a human-powered vehicle. The suspension control device includes a sensor and an electronic controller. The sensor is configured to detect information relating to a ground contact condition. The electronic controller is configured to selectively control a suspension of the human-powered vehicle in accordance with the information detected by the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2018Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Yasuhiro Tsuchizawa, Takuya Katsuki, Kenji Kamada
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Patent number: 11577766Abstract: A folding wagon comprising a collapsible wagon basket, a folding wagon frame comprising folding ends and folding sides, wherein the folding ends and the folding sides connect at four corners, each corner comprising a vertical frame element, wherein the vertical frame elements are extendable to enable the folding the wagon to transform from an extended configuration to a collapsed configuration, a folding base formed by a plurality of base support elements that are hingedly attached to the vertical frame elements and hingedly attached to a central base element, wherein the hinged attachments of the base support elements to the vertical frame elements are multi-directional hinges allowing multiple degrees of freedom in the movement of the base support elements when the folding wagon is transformed from the extended configuration to the collapsed configuration, a handle attached to the first folding end, and a plurality of wheels.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2017Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Inventor: Brian Horowitz
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Patent number: 11560052Abstract: A multipurpose vehicle includes an engine, a travel transmission device, a continuously variable transmission device, and a spacer housing capable of becoming attached to and detached from the engine, the continuously variable transmission device, and the travel transmission device. The spacer housing contains an engine output shaft, a transmission device input shaft of the continuously variable transmission device, a first connecting portion connecting the engine output shaft with the transmission device input shaft in an interlocking manner, a transmission device output shaft of the continuously variable transmission device, a transmission input shaft of the travel transmission device, and a second connecting portion connecting the transmission device output shaft with the transmission input shaft in an interlocking manner.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2020Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: Kubota CorporationInventors: Toshifumi Yasuda, Takashi Kuramoto, Kensuke Okabe, Hiroshi Takagi
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Patent number: 11548553Abstract: A vehicle underbody structure includes a pair of rockers that are provided on both vehicle width direction sides of a vehicle underbody and extend in a vehicle front-rear direction, a battery that is disposed centrally in a vehicle width direction center between the pair of rockers and is disposed above a vehicle floor and on the lower side of a seat, a fuel tank that is disposed in the vehicle width direction center between the pair of rockers and is disposed under the vehicle floor and further toward a rear side of the vehicle than the battery, and a waste pipe that is coupled to a drive unit provided at a vehicle front side of the battery and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction between the battery and one of the rockers.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2019Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Satoshi Ajisaka
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Patent number: 11524662Abstract: Systems and methods for manipulating the pitch and/or tilt of a trailer relative to a supporting surface. A trailer leveling system includes one or more telescopically adjustable support assemblies that are constructed to be pivotably connected to a frame of a trailer. Each support assembly includes a post that is pivotably connected to a trailer frame. A rack is formed along at least one side of the post. A tube slideably cooperates with the post and supports a pawl that cooperates with the rack to allow translation of the tube relative to the post in a first direction and selectively prevent translation of the tube relative to the post in the opposing direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2019Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Inventor: Steve Fischer
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Patent number: 11524612Abstract: An electric bus exhibiting a seat arrangement. The electric bus includes a side wall, a wheel with an electric engine disposed in the rim, a seat with a seat base and a leg area. The leg area is below the seat base and vertically level with the wheel. The electric bus also includes an electric energy storing device powering the electric engine of the wheel and arranged transversally between the side wall and the leg area of the seat.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2019Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: ALPHA EC INDUSTRIESInventor: Jørgen Hallundbæk
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Patent number: 11524723Abstract: A subframe for a vehicle, which comprises a first and second longitudinal member, wherein the longitudinal members extend in a longitudinal direction (x) and are relatively offset in a transverse direction (y) of the subframe, a transverse front member connectable to the first and second longitudinal member at a front section of the subframe, a transverse rear member connectable to the first and second longitudinal member at a rear section of the subframe.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2019Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: Volvo Car CorporationInventor: Johan Eklund
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Patent number: 11518207Abstract: Included are an electromagnetic actuator which generates drive forces for a damping operation and a telescopic operation; an information acquirer which acquires information about the drive forces of, and control mode selection information about, the electromagnetic actuator; a drive force arithmetic part which sets a predetermined control mode based on the control mode selection information about the electromagnetic actuator, and sets a target damping force and a target telescopic force of the electromagnetic actuator based on setting information about the control mode; and a drive controller which controls drive of the electromagnetic actuator using a target drive force based on the target damping and telescopic forces set by the drive force arithmetic part. The drive force arithmetic part performs an operation of switching a setting of the predetermined control mode from one to another while a driving force of the electromagnetic actuator is within a predetermined force range.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2020Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Satoshi Ohno, Atsuhiko Yoneda