Patents Examined by Justin Holmes
  • Patent number: 11679673
    Abstract: A gear transmission having a speed changing section includes a speed changing gear for setting a speed stage and a shift gear slidably mounted on a rotation support shaft and operated to engage and disengage with the speed changing gear, the speed changing section configured to speed-change inputted power and to output the resultant power via the rotation support shaft. An arrangement is provided for facilitating engagement of the shift gear with the speed changing gear even when respective end faces of the shift gear and the speed changing gear hit each other. A transmission mechanism (20B) is provided for outputting power of a rotation support shaft (24) to a traveling device. The transmission mechanism (20B) has a transmission flexibility portion (80) which allows free rotation of the rotation support shaft (24) by a set rotation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Toshifumi Yasuda, Yusuke Morita
  • Patent number: 11680639
    Abstract: A method of controlling a drive axle system. The method may include executing a gear upshift or a gear downshift after decreasing the torque that is provided by an electric motor to a transmission of an axle assembly and increasing the torque that is provided by another electric motor to a transmission of another axle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Edvin Godo, Banuchandar Muthukumar
  • Patent number: 11674569
    Abstract: The invention relates to a toothed belt (10a, 10b) with two mutually oppositely arranged running surfaces (2, 4), wherein, on the running surfaces (2, 4), there are arranged toothings (12, 14) arranged obliquely with respect to the axial direction (X), wherein the obliquity is defined in each case by helix angles (16, 18) between the axial direction (X) and the direction of the tooth flanks of the respective toothings (12, 14). It is provided that the helix angle (16) of the first toothing (12) is oriented oppositely to the helix angle (18) of the second toothing (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: ContiTech Antriebssysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Konya, Thomas Melz, Peter Marx, Mirko Traue, Thomas Knopp, Ernst Wilske, Eberhard Rulf
  • Patent number: 11674576
    Abstract: A speed-changing device (21) is provided with an input shaft (22), an output shaft (23), a planetary gear mechanism (29), a first variator (33), a second variator (34), and a controller (25). The planetary gear mechanism (29) is configured to include a carrier (29A) connected to the input shaft (22), a first sun gear (29B) connected to the first variator (33), and a second sun gear (29C) connected to the output shaft (23). The second variator (34) transmits power transmitted from the first variator (33) to the output shaft (23), or transmits power transmitted from the output shaft (23) to the first variator (33). The controller (25) changes the rotation speed of the first variator (33), thereby changing the rotation speed of the output shaft (23) in relation to the rotation speed of the input shaft (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takuma Koinuma
  • Patent number: 11674578
    Abstract: A vehicle has an engine, a limited slip differential (LSD) mounted on an axle driven by the engine, and left and right wheels operably connected to the LSD. At least one parameter indicative of a riding condition of the vehicle is determined. A slippery driving condition is detected based on the at least one parameter. The LSD is selectively locked in response to the detection. The slippery driving condition is detected when a torque requested by a user is above a load line of the engine, upon successive wheel slips occurrences, and/or when a wheel slip is detected while a preload is applied to the LSD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Francois-Charles Dumas, Jean-Philippe Houle
  • Patent number: 11674594
    Abstract: A transmission structure of electric clutchless motorcycle includes an electric motor, a variable speed gear set, a variable speed gear box and a gear position sensing unit. The arrangement of the gear position sensing unit is so configured that the transmission structure of electric clutchless motorcycle mechanism not only maintains the inertial energy recharge of the electric motor to increase the endurance of the vehicle, but also allows the driver to accurately control the speed control knob when switching gears, and furthermore can increase the automatic gear shift function of the electric gear shift design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Inventors: Kuo-Hsin Su, Ta-Yu Su
  • Patent number: 11667189
    Abstract: Methods and systems for an electric drive axle are provided. An electric drive axle, in one example, includes an electric machine rotationally coupled to a gearbox which includes a higher range planetary gear set coupled to a lower range planetary gear set via a clutch. The clutch is configured to selectively rotationally couple an input gear to a sun gear in each of the higher range planetary gear set and the lower range planetary gear set in different positions or selectively rotationally couple a carrier in the higher range planetary gear set to a carrier and a sun gear in the lower range planetary gear set in different positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Eric M. Engerman, Andy Perakes
  • Patent number: 11662007
    Abstract: A power divider unit including an input shaft, a drive gear disposed around the input shaft, an inter-axle differential assembly coupled to the input shaft, an output side gear coupled to the input shaft, and a locking system for the power divider unit. The locking system is configured to passively lock the inter-axle differential assembly. The locking system includes a ramped first clutch member in selective engagement with the drive gear, a mating second clutch member configured to engage the first clutch member, a clutch pinion, and a slip clutch assembly. The second clutch member and the first clutch member rotate at different speeds, the clutch pinion rotates and causes the slip clutch assembly and second clutch member to rotate at a speed of the input shaft, causing the first clutch member to mate with the first clutch member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Mastroianni, Aaron D. Gries, Martin D. Fairchild
  • Patent number: 11662015
    Abstract: An arrangement for lubricating a gear in a toothed gearing comprising a shaft on which the gear is arranged is provided. An engaging ring with a central portion is arranged around said shaft and comprises a surface facing and spaced from an end surface of the gear creating a gap for guiding lubricant to the gear, and at least one first duct for lubricant, whereby said duct has at least one opening into the gap. The component comprises an annular portion with an inner peripheral surface mounted onto an outer peripheral surface of a shoulder on the gear; where axial discontinuities are provided between the shoulder and the annular portion of the component for guiding and distributing lubricant to the roots of the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Henrik Hagerman, Anders Hedman, Anna Wikström
  • Patent number: 11661892
    Abstract: A planetary gear box for a gas turbine engine, has a planet carrier with a carrier element and a planet gear. The planet gear is mounted rotatably via a plain bearing on the carrier element. An oil feed pocket is provided in the region of an outer side of the carrier element, via which feed pocket oil can be passed into a bearing gap between the outer side of the carrier element and an inner side of the planet gear. In the circumferential region of a main load direction of the plain bearing, the carrier element is formed with at least one channel carrying transmission oil. The channel extends in the carrier element radially inside the outer side of the carrier element, extending in the axial direction of the carrier element, and includes a cross section closed with respect to the bearing gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignees: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG, ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Stephan Uhkötter, Rens Douma, Uwe Kracht, Mark Binnington
  • Patent number: 11655882
    Abstract: An electric drive module (e-drive module) for an electric motor vehicle and chain driven electric-drive (e-drive) gearbox therefor is provided. The e-drive gearbox has first and second chain members operably coupling an output shaft of an electric motor to a shaft of a driven output member. A first drive gear is rotatable with the output shaft of the electric motor. A first driven gear is coupled to the first drive gear via the first chain member. A second driven gear is coupled to the first driven gear via a common shaft and co-rotatable with the first driven gear. A second drive gear is coupled to the second driven gear via the second chain member. The respective rotational axes of the first and second drive gears and the first and second driven gears are parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Gerd Schlager
  • Patent number: 11655893
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising an interface and a processor. The interface may be configured to receive pixel data of an exterior environment of a vehicle. The processor may be configured to process the pixel data arranged as video frames, perform computer vision operations to detect objects in the video frames, extract characteristics about the objects detected, determine driving conditions in response to an analysis of the characteristics and generate a control signal. The control signal may be configured to perform a gear shift. The driving conditions may be used to predict a future drivetrain configuration of the vehicle. The gear shift may be performed if a comparison of the future drivetrain configuration with a current drivetrain configuration of the vehicle meets a threshold condition. The gear shift may not be performed if the comparison does not meet the threshold condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Ambarella International LP
    Inventor: Shimon Pertsel
  • Patent number: 11642959
    Abstract: A transfer for a four wheel drive vehicle includes first and second distribution mechanisms that respectively include first and second clutches configured to be controlled to a half-engaged state. The first and second distribution mechanisms distribute a portion of power outputted from a power source to a second transmission mechanism respectively through the first and second clutches. A first difference is different from a second difference. The first difference is a difference between a gear ratio from an input shaft of the first clutch to a first driving wheel and a gear ratio from an output shaft of the first clutch to a second driving wheel. The second difference is a difference between a gear ratio from an input shaft of the second clutch to the first driving wheel and a gear ratio from an output shaft of the second clutch to the second driving wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayuki Ushiki, Katsuya Higuchi
  • Patent number: 11639102
    Abstract: An axle including a housing having a first cavity and a second cavity formed therein. The first cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of an axle assembly therein, and the second cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of a power source assembly therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Peter A. Beesley, Gerald L. Kinsey, Andy Perakes
  • Patent number: 11639752
    Abstract: Transmissions, control systems for transmissions, and methods of operating transmissions are disclosed herein. A transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft, one or more clutches, and a control system. The input shaft is configured to receive rotational power supplied by a drive unit. The output shaft is coupled to the input shaft and configured to provide rotational power supplied to the input shaft to a load. The one or more clutches are coupled between the input shaft and the output shaft to selectively transmit rotational power between the input shaft and the output shaft in one or more operating modes of the transmission. Each of the one or more clutches is selectively engageable in response to one or more fluid pressures applied thereto. The control system is configured to control operation of the one or more clutches to select the one or more operating modes of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Shultz, Bruno Re, Scott Kluemper
  • Patent number: 11635131
    Abstract: A transmission having input and output shafts and planetary gear sets. Each planetary gear set has multiple elements. The input and output shafts and planetary gear sets are designed so torque introduced via the input shaft is distributed to the output shafts in a defined ratio and a sum torque is prevented. An element of a first planetary gear set is rotationally fixed to another element of a second planetary gear set and another element of the second planetary gear set is secured to a rotationally fixed component. A torque vectoring superposition unit has an epicyclic gearing and two switching elements. The epicyclic gearing has four connection shafts. A first connection shaft is rotationally fixed to the linking shaft. A second connection shaft is rotationally fixed to an output shaft of the first planetary gear set. The switching elements secure a third and fourth connection shaft to a fixed component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Matthias Reisch
  • Patent number: 11624433
    Abstract: A downsized differential assembly having a simple structure, which can be mounted easily on automobiles. The differential assembly comprises a set of first to third gears arranged coaxially while being allowed to rotate relatively to one another. A first eccentric gear meshes with the first gear, a second eccentric gear meshes with the second gear, and a third eccentric gear meshes with the third gear, while being supported by an eccentric member in such a manner as to rotate around an eccentric axis which is offset from a rotational axis. Gear ratios between the first to third gears and the first to third eccentric gears are set to different values so that rotational speeds of the first gear and the second gear are reduced slower than that of the eccentric member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Isono
  • Patent number: 11618318
    Abstract: A transmission having an input and first and second output shafts and first and second planetary gear sets. Torque introduced via the input shaft is distributed to the two output shafts in a defined ratio. An element of the first planetary gear set is connected to another element of the second planetary gear set and an element of the second planetary gear set is secured to a rotationally fixed component. A torque vectoring superposition unit has a third planetary gear set. A first element of the third planetary gear set is rotationally fixed to a linking shaft. A second element of the third planetary gear set is connected to a machine rotor. A third element of the third planetary gear set is rotationally fixed to an element of the second planetary gear set, which is fixed to the first output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Matthias Reisch
  • Patent number: 11618459
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain, an inertial measurement unit configured to measure inertial forces exerted onto the vehicle, and a controller. The controller is programmed to control the torque at the powertrain based on a mapped relationship between the inertial forces and a vehicle velocity, wherein the mapped relationship utilizes at least one mapping parameter. The controller is further programmed to estimate a mass of the vehicle based on the mapping parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yuji Fujii, Ankit Saini, Yijing Zhang, Weitian Chen, Akshay Bichkar, Conor Edward Sullivan, Hong Jiang, Thirumal Nagadi, Jose Velazquez Alcantar
  • Patent number: 11614151
    Abstract: A power split and power convergence combined hydro-mechanical hybrid transmission device includes an input member, a power split mechanism, a mechanical transmission mechanism, a power convergence mechanism, an output member, a hydraulic transmission mechanism, a clutch assembly, and a brake assembly. The input member is connected to the power split mechanism, the power convergence mechanism is connected to the output member, and the clutch assembly connects an output end of the power split mechanism to an input end of the mechanical transmission mechanism and an input end of the hydraulic transmission mechanism and connects an input end of the power convergence mechanism to an output end of the mechanical transmission mechanism and an output end of the hydraulic transmission mechanism. The clutch assembly and the brake assembly provide a continuous transmission ratio between the input member and the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: JIANGSU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Zhen Zhu, Yingfeng Cai, Long Chen, Xiang Tian, Juncheng Wang, Changgao Xia, Jiangyi Han, Feng Wang, Xing Xu, Dehua Shi