Patents Examined by Stacey A Fluhart
  • Patent number: 11815164
    Abstract: Disclosed is a configurable seamless shift gearbox (100, 506). Configurable seamless shift gearbox comprises input shaft (102, 508) and output shaft (104, 510); gear arrangement (106) engaged between input and output shafts, configured to drive torque from input to output shaft. Gear arrangement comprises first gear member (202), second gear member (108), third gear member (118), and fourth gear member (110A, 110B) that rotationally arranges third gear member thereon; first clutch (112) configured to variably engage and disengage with fourth gear member to transfer input torque from input shaft to gear arrangement; and second clutch (114) configured to variably engage and disengage with second gear member to transfer input torque from gear arrangement to output shaft, wherein first and second clutch selectively engage and disengage with fourth and second gear member, respectively, at same time to enable variable gear ratios for providing a seamless torque from input to output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Norrhydro Oy
    Inventor: Timo Lehto
  • Patent number: 11815136
    Abstract: A rotational translation unit includes a rotation portion that rotates relative to a housing upon receiving an input of torque output from a speed reducer, and a translation portion that moves relative to the housing in an axial direction according to rotation of the rotation portion relative to the housing. A clutch is provided between a first transmission portion and a second transmission portion that are rotatable relative to the housing, and the clutch allows transmission of the torque between the first transmission portion and the second transmission portion in an engaged state of the clutch, and interrupts the transmission of the torque between the first transmission portion and the second transmission portion in a disengaged state of the clutch. A return spring is capable of urging the rotational translation unit in a direction away from the clutch relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Souichirou Hayashi, Takumi Sugiura, Akira Takagi
  • Patent number: 11808307
    Abstract: A prime mover includes a stator fixed to a housing, and a rotor rotatable relative to the stator. The prime mover outputs torque from the rotor by being supplied with electric power. A speed reducer reduces the torque of the prime mover and outputs the reduced torque. The speed reducer includes a sun gear to which the torque from the rotor is input, and a planetary gear that revolves in a circumferential direction of the sun gear while rotating in a state of meshing with the sun gear. The rotor and the sun gear are formed separately, and are disposed coaxially so as to be integrally rotatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akikazu Uchida, Takumi Sugiura, Akira Takagi
  • Patent number: 11807094
    Abstract: Systems and methods for an electric drive unit are provided. A transmission system in an electric drive unit includes first, second, and third input shafts rotationally coupled to first, second, and third electric machines, respectively, wherein the first and third electric machines are arranged on a first side of the transmission and the second electric machine is arranged on a second opposing side of the transmission. The transmission system further includes an idler shaft that connects the first, second, and third electric machines and couples to a sun gear of a planetary gear set. The planetary gear set is arranged between a first and second clutch wherein the first clutch couples to a carrier and the second clutch couples to a ring gear. An output shaft is spaced away from the planetary gear set via gear and includes two flanges to couple the transmission to outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Belgium N.V.
    Inventors: Kurt Cattoor, Filip D. Schacht, Filip Van Raepenbusch, Joachim Van Dingenen, Jan Markey
  • Patent number: 11808306
    Abstract: Torque of a prime mover is input into a sun gear. A planetary gear revolves in a circumferential direction of the sun gear while rotating and meshing with the sun gear. A carrier has an annular shape, rotatably supports the planetary gear, and is rotatable relative to the sun gear. A first ring gear is fixed to a housing, and meshes with the planetary gear. A second ring gear meshes with the planetary gear, is different from the first ring gear in number of teeth of a tooth portion, and outputs torque to a rotation portion. At least a part of the sun gear in an axial direction is located radially inward of the carrier. At least a part of the first ring gear and at least a part of the second ring gear in the axial direction are located radially outward of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryo Ishibashi, Takumi Sugiura, Akira Takagi
  • Patent number: 11808351
    Abstract: A mechanical unlocking mechanism for electronic parking is provided, which comprises a parking cam assembly, a pawl assembly, a pull rod assembly and a parking gear; the parking cam assembly comprises a parking guide shaft and a parking cam, the parking cam is sleeved on the parking guide shaft, at least a first convex part and a second convex part are provided at two sides of the parking cam, and a connecting part is provided on the second convex part; the pull rod assembly is connected with the parking cam via the connecting part, and the pull rod assembly pulls the second convex part to drive the parking cam to rotate; the parking gear can be fixed or rotatable according to the pawl assembly being in a first position where the parking gear parks in or a second position where the parking gear parks out as the parking cam rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: JING-JIN ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Defeng Hou, Ran Sun, Jianwen Li
  • Patent number: 11802597
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a differential disconnect assembly of a vehicle, the differential disconnect assembly including a dog clutch used to engage and disengage a gear of a differential of the vehicle from a transmission of the vehicle. In one example, a method for operating a dog clutch comprises de-energizing a solenoid coupled to the dog clutch to initiate dog clutch disengagement; and during disengagement of the dog clutch when a return spring coupled to a first toothed interface of the dog clutch applies a first force on the first toothed interface in a first direction away from a second toothed interface, transiently re-energizing the solenoid that applies a second force to the first toothed interface in a second direction which is opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Sagar B. Bangar
  • Patent number: 11802594
    Abstract: A state changing unit is capable of contacting a clutch, and being configured to receive a force along the axial direction from a translation portion and change a state of the clutch to an engaged state or a disengaged state according to a position of the translation portion in an axial direction relative to a housing. A fixed end is non-rotatable relative to the housing. A return spring is disposed on a side of the fixed end opposite to the clutch, and capable of urging the translation portion in a direction away from the clutch with respect to the fixed end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryo Ishibashi, Takumi Sugiura
  • Patent number: 11796012
    Abstract: A state changing unit is provided radially outward of a translation portion and movable in an axial direction relative to the translation portion. The state changing unit is in contact with or separated from the clutch. The state changing unit receives a force in the axial direction from the translation portion such that the state changing unit is pressed against the clutch. The state changing unit is capable of changing a state of the clutch to an engaged state or a disengaged state according to a position of the translation portion in the axial direction relative to the housing. A movement restriction portion is provided on the translation portion and located between the state changing unit and the clutch. The movement restriction portion contacts the state changing unit and restricts movement of the state changing unit relative to the translation portion toward the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Souichirou Hayashi, Takumi Sugiura, Akira Takagi
  • Patent number: 11780316
    Abstract: A hybrid module for a drive train of a motor vehicle includes an electrical machine, a dry friction clutch for coupling the electrical machine with the drive train, an input shaft arranged to be coupled to an internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle, and an output shaft arranged to be coupled to a vehicle transmission of the motor vehicle. The dry friction clutch is designed to lead away or secure wear debris of the dry friction clutch. The hybrid module may be arranged as a P2 hybrid module within the drive train between an internal combustion engine side of the motor vehicle and a vehicle transmission side of the motor vehicle. The dry friction clutch may be a dry multi-disk clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: René Daikeler, Christian Basler, Christoph Raber, Florian Vogel, Matthias Dannhäuser, Marc Finkenzeller
  • Patent number: 11773921
    Abstract: In a power transmission apparatus, a second clutch includes a divider dividing driving clutch plates and driven clutch plates in an axial direction such that a first region adjacent to a clutch pressure plate and a second region adjacent to a centrifugal clutch are defined. The second clutch presses the driving clutch plates and the driven clutch plates in the first region and the second region against each other during operation of the centrifugal clutch, and presses the driving clutch plates and the driven clutch plates in the first region against each other during operation of a back torque transmission cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA F.C.C.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Ozawa, Han Hiong Chen, Katsu Yoshimoto
  • Patent number: 11773917
    Abstract: A multi-plate clutch is disclosed, including an outer plate carrier, an inner plate carrier, and a set of plates of alternately arranged radially between the outer plate carrier and the inner plate carrier and which is delimited by two end plates engaging at opposite ends of the set of plates, wherein each end plate rests against an annular axial supporting contour on the end face facing away from the set of plates, wherein the supporting contours differ in their effective diameter at which the supporting contours contact the associated end plate, and wherein the supporting contours apply an axial force on the set of plates such that the plates are elastically deformed into a conical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Hoerbiger Antriebstechnik Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Ansgar Damm, Sami Oezkan, Juergen Binder
  • Patent number: 11773951
    Abstract: Described herein is a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with oscillating racks. The CVT includes an input shaft and a plurality of cams that are coupled with the input shaft. The cams are configured to rotate with a rotation of the input shaft. The CVT also includes a plurality of racks that are coupled to respective cams. The racks are configured to oscillate with the rotation of the input shaft. The CVT further includes a plurality of pinions that are coupled to respective racks and a plurality of intermittent shafts that are coupled with respective pinions. The CVT also includes an output shaft that is coupled with the intermittent shafts. The output shaft is configured to rotate with a uniform rotation and a speed ratio relative to the rotation of the input shaft. Because the CVT does not use friction elements, many downsides of conventional CVTs may be mitigated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Adam Troy Timmons
  • Patent number: 11773923
    Abstract: In a power transmission apparatus, a centrifugal clutch includes a holder, a press, and springs to urge masses from a radially outer position to a radially inner position. The masses are each housed in an associated one of housing portions arranged in a circumferential direction of the holder such that the masses are radially movable. More than one spring is provided in the circumferential direction between an inner peripheral wall surface of each of the housing portions and an associated one of the masses to urge the associated mass from the radially outer position to the radially inner position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA F.C.C.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Ozawa, Han Hiong Chen, Katsu Yoshimoto
  • Patent number: 11773922
    Abstract: Transmissions and clutch assemblies for transmissions are disclosed herein. A transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft, and a clutch assembly. The input shaft is configured to receive rotational power. The output shaft is configured to transmit rotational power to a load. The clutch assembly is coupled between the input shaft and the output shaft to selectively transmit rotational power therebetween in use of the transmission. The clutch assembly includes a housing, a piston, and a disc spring. The piston is movable relative to the housing and cooperates with the housing to at least partially define a first cavity that is configured to receive hydraulic fluid such that a first centrifugal pressure force is created in use of the clutch assembly. The disc spring is movable relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.
    Inventors: John L. Tysman, Jason Ellis, Evan Chivington, Mickey Hunt
  • Patent number: 11773915
    Abstract: A housing includes an accommodation space for a prime mover and a speed reducer. A rotational translation unit includes a rotation portion that rotates relative to the housing upon receiving torque outputted from the speed reducer, and a translation portion that moves relative to the housing in an axial direction according to rotation of the rotation portion. The accommodation space is between the rotation portion and the housing. A clutch in a clutch space allows or interrupts transmission of torque between a first transmission portion and a second transmission portion. The rotation portion is between the clutch space and the accommodation space. A sealing member has an annular shape in contact with the rotation portion, and maintains an air-tight or liquid-tight state between the accommodation space and the clutch space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Takagi, Ryo Ishibashi, Takumi Sugiura
  • Patent number: 11773913
    Abstract: A torque-transmitting clutch includes a first clutch element having a first base body and a first end face, a second clutch element, and a third clutch element having a third base body. In a closed position, the first and the second clutch elements are connectable in a positive locking and/or force-fit manner for transmitting torque, and in an open position, this positive locking and/or force-fit connection is released, and wherein the first clutch element is connectable to the third clutch element in a positive locking and/or force-fit manner. The first clutch element is produced according to a powder-metallurgical or an additive method and has at least one centering projection arranged on the first end face and extending towards the third clutch element to cooperate with and/or be accommodated with a centering recess in an end face in the third clutch element in a positive locking and/or force-fit manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: MIBA SINTER AUSTRIA GMBH
    Inventor: Christian Kronberger
  • Patent number: 11773916
    Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a first clutch having a first translator and a friction pack and a second clutch having first and second coupling members, a locking element, and a second translator. The friction pack includes a first plate fixed to the first coupling member and a second plate fixed to the second coupling member. The first translator of the first clutch is movable to an actuated position in which the plates of the friction pack are engaged with one another thereby causing angular velocities of the first and second coupling members to be synchronized. The second translator of the second clutch is movable to an extended position in which the locking element engages the first and second coupling members with one another thereby causing a power flow path through the first and second coupling members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Merat, Kenneth Gerard Walega, Spencer J. Kane
  • Patent number: 11773914
    Abstract: A clutch assembly may have an axially slidable first plate, an axially fixed second plate disposed opposite the first plate, and a clutch pack arranged between the first plate and the second plate. The clutch pack may have a number of axially slidable consecutively arranged friction plates and separator plates. The assembly may also have an actuator axially movable between a first position and a second position, where, in the first position, the clutch pack is opened and, in the second position, the clutch pack is closed and the friction plates are frictionally engaged. The assembly may also have a return spring configured to bias the actuator in a direction away from the clutch pack towards the first position. The assembly may also have an engagement spring element configured to exert an elastic force on the clutch pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Belgium N.V.
    Inventors: Joachim Van Dingenen, Tommy Van Acker, Marc Van Tomme, Filip Schacht, Kurt D M Cattoor
  • Patent number: 11772745
    Abstract: A pedally propelled vehicle multi speed gear system includes a gear mechanism including a main shaft; a hollow first shaft and a hollow second shaft, both axially stationary and rotatably arranged about the main shaft; an epicyclical first gear section arranged about the main shaft between the first and second shafts, and including two radially stacked carrier elements; and a first shift mechanism arranged between the first shaft and the first gear section, and configured to rotationally engage the first shaft with either of the two radially stacked carriers. The first shift mechanism includes two first clutches radially stacked about the main shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: CA TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS AS
    Inventors: Knut Tore Ljøsne, Christian Antal