Patents Examined by Lori Wu
  • Patent number: 11708871
    Abstract: A one-way clutch, including: an outer race including a first outer race plate defining a first rocker pocket and a second outer race plate non-rotatably connected to the first outer race plate and defining a second rocker pocket; an inner race axially disposed between the first outer race plate and the second outer race plate; and a rocker assembly including a rocker arranged to contact the inner race and including a first portion disposed in the first rocker pocket and a second portion disposed in the second rocker pocket, a spring guide retained by the first outer race plate and the second outer race plate, and a spring engaged with the spring guide and in contact with the rocker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Burke, Carsten Behler, Michael Hodge
  • Patent number: 11708868
    Abstract: A failsafe multimode clutch assembly positioned in a powertrain of a rotorcraft. The clutch assembly includes a freewheeling having a driving mode in which torque applied to the input race is transferred to the output race and an overrunning mode in which torque applied to the output race is not transferred to the input race. A bypass assembly has an engaged position that couples the input and output races of the freewheeling unit. An actuator assembly uses pressurized lubricating oil to shift the bypass assembly between the engaged position and a disengaged position. A lock assembly enables and disables actuation of the bypass assembly. In the disengaged position, the overrunning mode of the freewheeling unit enables a unidirectional torque transfer mode of the clutch assembly. In the engaged position, the overrunning mode of the freewheeling unit is disabled such that the clutch assembly is configured for bidirectional torque transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Stephen Olson, David Andrew Prater
  • Patent number: 11708905
    Abstract: An electric parking lock apparatus includes a parking mechanism, an electric actuator, an engagement member, a first urging member, and a first electromagnetic solenoid. The parking mechanism includes a parking gear and a parking pawl. The engagement member includes first and second engagement elements. The first engagement element includes a proximal end coupled to the first urging member. The second engagement element includes a proximal end coupled to a brake pedal of the vehicle. In a state of power supply failure, the first electromagnetic solenoid allows the first engagement element to swing in the direction for engaging with the second engagement element. In the state of power supply failure, the engagement elements engage with each other when the brake pedal is released from a depressed state, and the parking pawl is caused to swing in a direction for engaging with the parking gear as the brake pedal is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenta Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 11708872
    Abstract: A clutch device includes at least one first blocking element, at least one second blocking element at least one first actuation element, and at least one second actuation element. The second blocking element in a second release position is arranged completely outside of a recess and in the second blocking position engaging in the second recess by passing through the second through-opening in order thereby to fix together rotationally the components in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Etzel, Sebastian Liebert, Ulrich Ohnemus
  • Patent number: 11708869
    Abstract: Presented are clutch-type engine disconnect devices, methods for making/using such disconnect devices, and motor vehicles equipped with such disconnect devices. An engine disconnect device includes a notch plate, which has multiple notches and attaches to a torque converter, and a pocket plate, which has multiple pockets and attaches to an engine's crankshaft. A pawl is movably mounted within each notch; these pawls selectively engage the notches with the pockets. A notch plate insert is nested within each notch, supporting thereon one of the pawls. A selector plate interposed between the pocket and notch plates moves from a first position, to shift the pawls out of engagement with the pockets, and a second position, to move the notch plate inserts within the notches and allow the pawls to engage the notches with the pockets to thereby lock the notch plate to the pocket plate to rotate in unison with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Derek F. Lahr, Chunhao J. Lee, Farzad Samie, Dongxu Li, Dmitriy Bruder
  • Patent number: 11708904
    Abstract: A cable actuated multi-pawl park lock includes an actuator, a first park lock device arranged for engaging a first gear wheel, a first cable connecting the actuator to the first park lock device, a second park lock device arranged for engaging a second gear wheel, and a second cable connecting the actuator to the second park lock device. In some example embodiments, the actuator includes an actuator housing, the first park lock device includes a first park lock housing, the first cable includes a first outer jacket having a first end fixed to the actuator housing and a second end fixed to the first park lock housing, the second park lock device includes a second park lock housing, and the second cable includes a second outer jacket having a first end fixed to the actuator housing and a second end fixed to the second park lock housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Burke, Michael Hodge, Tobias Heumann
  • Patent number: 11708899
    Abstract: An improved park lock rod assembly is provided for a park lock mechanism of a vehicle transmission wherein the park lock rod assembly includes a spring-loaded lock rod captured by a guide member. The guide member includes a first bulbous open slot that is generally L-shaped and receives one end of the lock rod, and another open slot spaced axially from the first open slot that receives another end of the lock rod. This slot configuration allows the rod to pivot relative to the guide member and seat within the second open slot, which permits ready assembly of the lock rod to the guide member. The park lock rod assembly may be manually assembled without the need for crimping or other fasteners. Further, the rod is grooved to cooperate with keyhole shapes provided in the open slots wherein the groove and slot configurations permit the rod to be assembled into the guide member while preventing separation during reciprocating movement of the lock rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Linamar Corporation
    Inventors: Cameron P Williams, Jefferey Ziemba
  • Patent number: 11708902
    Abstract: A drive apparatus includes a power assembly rotatable about a first axis, a transmission to transmit power of the power assembly, and a parking assembly provided in the transmission. The transmission includes a first gear rotatable around a first axis, a second gear to mesh with the first gear and rotatable around a second axis, a third gear to rotate around the second axis together with the second gear, and a fourth gear to mesh with the third gear and rotatable around a third axis. The parking assembly includes a parking gear rotatable around the first axis together with the first gear, a parking pawl that includes a meshing portion and is rotatable around a fourth axis, and a drive assembly to rotationally move the parking pawl around the fourth axis and operate the parking pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideaki Matsuo, Shuhei Nakamatsu, Tsubasa Tamura, Keisuke Aso
  • Patent number: 11708155
    Abstract: A multimode clutch assembly is positioned in a powertrain of a rotorcraft. The clutch assembly includes a freewheeling unit having a driving mode in which torque applied to the input race is transferred to the output race and an overrunning mode in which torque applied to the output race is not transferred to the input race. A bypass assembly has an engaged position that couples the input and output races of the freewheeling unit. An actuator assembly shifts the bypass assembly between engaged and disengaged positions. An engagement status sensor is configured to determine the engagement status of the bypass assembly. In the disengaged position, the overrunning mode of the freewheeling unit is enabled such that the clutch assembly is configured for unidirectional torque transfer. In the engaged position, the overrunning mode of the freewheeling unit is disabled such that the clutch assembly is configured for bidirectional torque transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Andrew Goodwin, David Andrew Prater, Eric Stephen Olson, David Bryan Roberts, Chia-Wei Su, Michael David Trantham, Charles Eric Covington
  • Patent number: 11708866
    Abstract: A power transmission device has an interlocking member 9 moving a pressure member 5 from an inactive position to an active position. A release spring (m) applies an urging force, while allowing movements of the interlocking member 9 and the pressure member 5, until drive-side clutch plates 6 and driven-side clutch plates 7 reach an engaged state before the drive-side clutch plates 6 and the driven-side clutch plates 7 are pressed against each other. A clutch spring 11 is compressed in a process where the interlocking member 9 moves after the drive-side clutch plates 6 and the driven-side clutch plates 7 have reached the engaged state. The clutch spring applying a press-contact force between the drive-side clutch plates 6 and the driven-side clutch plates 7 while allowing movements of the interlocking member 9 and the pressure member 5. The set load of the clutch spring 11 is set to be smaller than the maximum load of the release spring (m).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Ozawa, Han Hiong Chen, Makoto Kataoka, Masataka Murai
  • Patent number: 11708012
    Abstract: A clutch unit used for a vehicle seat includes an input side clutch configured such that one member of an input side inner ring member and an input side outer ring member rotates with a rotation of an operation lever, and the other member is rotated via an input side transmission member, so that a rotation of the operation lever is transmitted to an output side clutch. A rotation suppressing member configured to apply a rotational resistance force greater than a force for the co-rotating is provided between the other member and a member that does not rotate during a return operation of the operation lever, so as to suppress co-rotation of the other member by the one member during the return operation to the neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignees: SHIROKI CORPORATION, NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kunihiro Mikasa, Kyohei Sasanuma
  • Patent number: 11703091
    Abstract: In some examples, a cone clutch assembly includes an inner cone member rotationally coupled to a first shaft, the inner cone member defining a first friction surface; and an outer cone member rotationally coupled to a second shaft, the outer cone member defining a second friction surface opposing the first friction surface. The inner cone member and outer cone member may be selectively engaged and disengaged from another. The inner cone member and/or the outer cone member may include a first metallic layer and a second metallic layer separated by an open structure core. The open structure core is configured to allow flow of a fluid between the first metallic layer and the second metallic layer to remove heat from the at least one of the inner cone member or the outer cone member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Mark E. Bartolomeo
  • Patent number: 11703125
    Abstract: An electric drive axle for a motor vehicle includes a first half shaft, a second half shaft, a first parking lock unit associated with the first half shaft, and a second parking lock unit associated with the second half shaft. The first parking lock unit and the second parking lock unit are mechanically connected to one another via a connecting linkage. A central actuator arrangement is adjustingly connected to the connecting linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN GMBH & CO KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Steiner, Herbert Steindl
  • Patent number: 11680640
    Abstract: A parking lock system for a motor vehicle has a housing, a drive shaft couplable to a wheel of the motor vehicle, a locking element for non-rotatably connecting the drive shaft to the housing, an actuating element for actuating the locking element, a first adjusting disc and a second adjusting disc, which are both arranged rotatably around a common axis of rotation. The system also has an adjusting device for a rotational adjustment of the first adjusting disc, a first actuator coupled to the actuating element and to the second adjusting disc. The adjusting device transmits an actuating force from the first adjusting disc, via the second adjusting disc, first actuator, and actuating element to the locking element. The parking lock system has at least one spring device, which has a first end supported at least indirectly with respect to the first adjusting disc, and a second end supported at least indirectly with respect to the second adjusting disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG
    Inventor: Jan Hasenkamp
  • Patent number: 11493099
    Abstract: A one-way clutch including: a driving force input member; a driving force output member; and a driving force transmitting member, wherein, when the driving force input member performs forward rotation, the second engaging part performs forward rotation in a state of being engaged with the first engaging part, so as to connect the first ratchet engaging part and the second ratchet engaging part, in order to make the driving force output member perform forward rotation, wherein, when the driving force input member performs reverse rotation, the second engaging part performs reverse rotation in a state of being engaged with the first engaging part, so as to make the driving force transmitting member and the first ratchet engaging part perform reverse rotation so that the first ratchet engaging part is separated from the second ratchet engaging part, in order not to make the driving force output member perform reverse rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Finetech Nisca Inc.
    Inventor: Masayoshi Sakuyama
  • Patent number: 11493097
    Abstract: The invention discloses a lower pair arc stop-block overrunning clutch comprising an outer rotating element, an inner rotating element, a friction block assembly, a wedge assembly, a first propeller assembly, a first elastic element and a synchronized push-block assembly, wherein a plurality of friction blocks of the friction block assembly are connected end to end and arranged between a first rotating ring and a second rotating ring; an drive element drives the first propeller assembly to press the synchronized push-block assembly to achieve synchronization of the friction block assembly; the first propeller assembly strikes the friction block assembly and is relatively stationary to push the friction block assembly for generating reverse rotation relative to a driven element; the wedge assembly is wedged to generate a radial pressure on the friction block assembly so that the friction block assembly can achieve lower pair arc stop, thereby achieving the transfer of torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Xining Kejin Industrial Design Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Ming Lin, Baohua Huang
  • Patent number: 11486454
    Abstract: A driving force transmission control device includes a driving force transmission device configured to press a friction clutch by an actuator and a controller configured to control the driving force transmission device. The controller calculates a torque command value indicating a driving force to be transmitted from a rotating member on an input side to a rotating member on an output side based on information of a vehicle. The controller sets an electric current command value according to a magnitude and an amount of time change of the torque command value. The electric current command value is a target value of an electric current. The controller performs electric current feedback control such that an electric current corresponding to the calculated electric current command value is supplied to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ichiro Oda, Go Nagayama, Tomonori Ono, Takashi Kouzai
  • Patent number: 11486468
    Abstract: A gearwheel for a gear system for a planetary gear system of a chassis assistance system. The gearwheel is divided into at least a first spur gear and a second spur gear which are spaced apart from one another along a common rotational axis. The gearwheel has, in addition, an open spring ring with a first end, which is supported in a circumferential direction against the first spur gear, and a second end, which is supported in the direction opposite to the circumferential direction against the second spur gear in such manner that by rotating the spur gears, relative to one another about the common rotational axis, the spring ring can be stressed in order to exert a restoring torque on the spur gears. A recess is formed on at least one of the spur gears for holding part of the spring ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Rene Schwarze, Christian Stephan, Marc Schieß, Ulrich Mair, Lars Schories, Karl Benkler, Carsten Stamm
  • Patent number: 11486493
    Abstract: A vehicular parking lock mechanism includes a parking gear, a parking pole, a lock member, and a lock releasing member. The parking pole includes a first parking pole member having a meshing tooth, and a second parking pole member having a cam protrusion. When the lock releasing member is pulled in one direction, and the second parking pole member is moved to a manually released position, the cam protrusion is disengaged from a second roller of the lock member, and the meshing tooth of the first parking pole member comes out of the parking gear, so that the parking lock mechanism is released from the parking locked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaru Morise
  • Patent number: 11473675
    Abstract: A method for holding a vehicle on a gradient. The vehicle has a transmission with an output, a first clutch and a second clutch. The primary sides of the first and second clutches are mechanically operatively connected to one another. The secondary sides of the first and second clutches are mechanically operatively connected to one another and to the output of the transmission. Different transmission ratios can be engaged by way of the first clutch and the second clutch, and the first clutch is in an engaged state. The method includes the additional closure of the second clutch in order to block the transmission and thus hold the vehicle at a standstill on a gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schwarz, Thomas Kurz, Sven Bieber