Patents Examined by T. Scott Fix
  • Patent number: 11707833
    Abstract: A robotic arm device includes a robotic arm including a base, a first arm and a second arm, a wire set adjacent to the first arm and the second arm, and a wire take-up module set in the first arm and including a rail, a sliding block and an elastic member. The sliding block is vertically slidably set on the rail and connected with the wire set and the elastic member. With the configuration of the wire take-up module, the robotic arm device can achieve the effects of improving wiring convenience, reducing wiring interference and saving wiring time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: HIWIN TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
    Inventors: Made Rama Pradipta Arya, Jian-An Lin
  • Patent number: 11708896
    Abstract: A shift range control device switches a shift range by controlling driving of a motor. A learning unit learns, as a position correction value, a normal state time correction value calculated based on first and/or second reference angles when an output shaft signal is available when turning on of a start switch. The first reference angle is a motor angle when the output shaft signal changes in response to the rotation of the motor in a first direction. The second reference angle is the motor angle when the output shaft signal changes in response to the motor rotation in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A motor angle target value is set by using the normal state time correction value stored during a period from when all the output shaft signals are determined to be unavailable to when the start switch is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeru Kamio, Masahiko Akiyama, Masashi Misawa, Kenshi Masuo
  • Patent number: 11708893
    Abstract: A shift device for a vehicle includes: a shift body that is moved in a predetermined range in a first direction and in a second direction that is a direction opposite from the first direction, and whose shift position is changed; and a moving mechanism that has a moving member at which a first moving portion and a second moving portion are provided, the first moving portion moving the shift body in the first direction, and the second moving portion moving the shift body in the second direction, due to movement of the moving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Naomi Asahina, Yutaka Inamura, Kenji Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 11708892
    Abstract: A rattle reduction device for a dial type shifting apparatus is provided and includes a damper provided to be fixed to a main housing, and a protrusion formed on a component configured to rotate with respect to the main housing and configured to reduce a return rotation speed of a shift dial by contacting the damper when the shift dial returns from a position of a Nd stage or a D stage to a Null stage or returns from a position of a Nr stage or a R stage to the Null stage, thereby reducing rattle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, SL Corporation
    Inventors: Han Gil Park, Ki Young Song, Sung Hoon Lee, Min Gwon Lee, Joo Young Kim
  • Patent number: 11708882
    Abstract: A head mechanism includes a base connectable to a body of a robot, a mounting member arranged above the base, a connecting member rotatably connected to the base and the mounting member. The connecting member, together with the mounting member, is rotatable relative to the base about a first axis, and the mounting member is rotatable relative to the connecting member about a second axis. The first axis and the second axis extend in different directions. The head mechanism further includes two first actuating mechanisms fixed to the base, and the two first actuating mechanisms are configured to drive the mounting member to rotate with respect to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP LTD
    Inventors: Liang Huang, Hongyu Ding, Jianxin Pang, Youjun Xiong
  • Patent number: 11708887
    Abstract: A gearbox assembly for an electric power assisted steering apparatus includes a gearbox housing, a worm shaft, a main bearing assembly, and a first fulcrum means. The worm shaft may be supported relative to the housing by a main bearing assembly at an end closest to the motor. The main bearing assembly may include an inner ring defining an inner bearing race, an outer ring defining an outer bearing race, and a plurality of bearings that run between the two races. The first fulcrum means may be located on a first side of the main bearing assembly which reacts only the axial component of the wormshaft tooth load for a first direction of gearwheel torque. A second fulcrum means may be located on a second, opposing, side of the main bearing assembly, which reacts only the axial component of the wormshaft tooth load for the second direction of gearwheel torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Inventor: Michael Appleyard
  • Patent number: 11707851
    Abstract: An arm-shaped structure body including an elongated first portion formed of resin, the first portion having a groove-shaped recessed section that opens in one direction intersecting a longitudinal direction thereof, and a second portion that is disposed so as to cover an opening of the recessed section and that is joined to the first portion in a state in which an elongated hollow section extending in the longitudinal direction is formed between the first portion and the second portion, where the second portion includes a pair of mounting sections that are disposed at both ends in the longitudinal direction, the pair of mounting sections being fixed to respective other parts constituting a robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazutaka Nakayama
  • Patent number: 11708897
    Abstract: A shifter assembly for a vehicle includes: a body; a shift lock; and a shift lock lever that is supported by the body such that the shift lock lever is movable between a first position and a second position to cause corresponding movement of the shift lock between a locked position, in which the vehicle is immovable, and an unlocked position, in which the vehicle is movable. The shift lock lever includes a first end portion, and an opposite second end portion that is configured for contact with the shift lock. The second end portion is generally L-shaped in configuration, and defines an interior region that is configured to receive the shift lock to inhibit (if not entirely prevent) contact between the shift lock and other components of the vehicle to reduce any likelihood of inadvertent disengagement of the shift lock and unintended movement of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristin Godfrey, Carrie Dubay
  • Patent number: 11708895
    Abstract: A shift by wire system is configured to systematically separate a shift dial and an autonomous driving dial, thereby preventing an erroneous manipulation of an autonomous driving mode and allowing effortless selection of the autonomous driving mode. The shift by wire system includes a shift dial shifting to engage a stop gear, a reverse gear, and a forward gear and an autonomous driving dial hidden by the shift dial in the stop gear or reverse gear and exposed from the shift dial in the forward gear to implement the autonomous driving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Eun Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 11707853
    Abstract: In a linear expansion mechanism, high rigidity is secured in all directions of orthogonal axes without any constraint on installation posture. The linear expansion mechanism includes: a block train made up of a plurality of blocks coupled along a coupling direction; a housing for containing the block train; a mechanism configured to deliver and draw the block train along the coupling direction; and a fixing mechanism configured to fix a relative position of a leading end position of the block train delivered from the housing relative to an entrance/exit position Pe located on the housing at which the block train enters and exits the housing with respect to directions orthogonal to the coupling direction of the block train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kousuke Imasaka, Kuniyasu Matsumoto, Wataru Amemiya, Moriaki Oonishi
  • Patent number: 11708104
    Abstract: A steering wheel mounted visual display including a housing incorporated at a location defined within a circumference of the steering wheel and having a graphical display output. Upon rotation of the steering wheel, the display adjusts to remain in an upright orientation. The housing further includes a main lower housing and an assemble-able upper housing sandwiching a display component providing the graphical display output. The display component further includes a stationary inner component, a display support and a PCB component cooperating for auto-updating the graphical display output in response to rotation of the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: KUSTER NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Andrew Mayville, Calogero Alu, Christopher Soave, Thorsten Dirk Connemann
  • Patent number: 11708883
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying a force or action directed at interacting with or stopping a mechanism, or diverting an object. The apparatus includes a motor, a pusher, a drive shaft, and a retainer. The motor provides the force or action. The drive shaft is coupled to the motor and fitted within the pusher, and the pusher plate is coupled to the motor, with the pusher being fitted within the retainer. The pusher plate comprises an anti-rotation feature that prevents the pusher from rotating and converts the rotation motion of the drive shaft into a linear motion whereby the pusher is pushed out of the retainer, such as to engage, interact with or stop the mechanism. The pusher may be variously configured, such as in the form of a drive nut, ball assembly or roller assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Humphrey Products Company
    Inventors: Todd Bordewyk, Scott Davis, Kurt Miedema
  • Patent number: 11707852
    Abstract: A robot in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present technology is configured for bimanual manipulation of objects. The robot includes a body and two arms individually defining an arm length and including an end effector, an end effector joint proximally adjacent to the end effector along a kinematic chain corresponding to the arm, and a gripper proximal to the end effector along the arm length. The end effector joint is configured to rotate the end effector relative to the gripper. The robot is configured to move at least a portion of a bottom surface of an object away from a support surface by applying force to the object via frictional interfaces between convex gripping surfaces of the grippers and side surfaces of the object. This creates a gap into which paddles of the end effectors can be inserted to support the object from below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Agility Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Hurst, Kevin Sweeney, Dylan Thrush
  • Patent number: 11707829
    Abstract: A working machine may include a pipe, a body unit, a tool unit, a shaft, and a speed increaser. The body unit may be disposed at a rear end of the pipe and include a prime mover. The tool unit may be disposed at a front end of the pipe and include a front tool. The shaft may be disposed inside the pipe and be configured to transmit power of the prime mover to the front tool. The speed increaser may be disposed between the shaft and the front tool. The speed increaser may be configured to make a rotational speed of the front tool higher than a rotational speed of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takuma Niiyama
  • Patent number: 11597102
    Abstract: A robot arm comprising a first arm segment and a second arm segment coupled to each other by a first revolute joint having a first rotation axis and a second revolute joint having a second rotation axis non-parallel to the first rotation axis, and a joint mechanism for articulating the first arm segment relative to the second arm segment about the first and second rotation axes, the joint mechanism comprising: a first driven gear disposed about an axle coincident with the first rotation axis, the axle being fast with a first arm segment of the robot arm; a second driven gear disposed about the second rotation axis and fast with a second arm segment of the robot arm and fast with the first driven gear about the first rotation axis; a first drive gear configured to drive the first driven gear to rotate about the axle, the first drive gear being arranged to engage the first driven gear; a second drive gear for driving the second driven gear to rotate about the second rotation axis; and an intermediary gear arran
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: CMR Surgical Limited
    Inventors: James Oliver Grant, Keith Marshall, Thomas Bates Jackson
  • Patent number: 11548171
    Abstract: A robot arm including a first joint, a second joint, and a coupling element is provided. The first joint has a first inclined surface. The second joint is jointed to the first joint and has a second inclined surface. The coupling element has a third inclined surface and a fourth inclined surface opposite to the third inclined surface, wherein the third inclined surface contacts the first inclined surface, and the fourth inclined surface contacts the second inclined surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Shih-Ping Lee, Hen-Diong Kng, Hao-Yan Wu, Tsang-Fang Jeng, Shu Huang, Hung-Hsiu Yu
  • Patent number: 11530736
    Abstract: A track system includes a track member with an elongate shaft mounted thereto. At least one support mechanism is mounted to the track member. The at least one support mechanism includes a housing. An engagement feature includes first and second engagement members spaced-apart from one another to define a receiving area therebetween. The first and second engagement members are operable between deployed and retracted positions relative to the housing. The elongate shaft is received in the receiving area when the first and second engagement members are in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Kish, Joshua Gauthier, Matthew Schwope, Robert Clayton Caldwell, Johnathan Andrew Line, Cung K. Chieu, Changwei Xie, Macit Aktas, Glenn Scott
  • Patent number: 11530744
    Abstract: An actuator for activating a plurality of operating functions in a technical system may include one or more of the following: a rotary knob, the rotary knob being rotatable about a rotational axis to an actuation position corresponding to a first operating function of a plurality of operating functions; a first sensor unit, where the actuation position is detectable by the first sensor unit such that a corresponding actuation position signal is sent to a control unit of the technical system causing activation of the first operating function; a second sensor unit for sending a shut-off signal to the control unit, where the technical system is set to a basic function of the plurality of operating functions upon receipt of the shut-off signal; and at least one sliding track partially encircling the rotary knob radially over an angle of less than 360.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Joachim Spratte, Mario Fischer, Bernard Lagemann
  • Patent number: 11524714
    Abstract: A floating bearing for a steering gear of a motor vehicle includes a rotary bearing having an inner bearing ring for receiving a screw pinion shaft of the steering gear, and an outer bearing ring built into a bearing sleeve. The bearing sleeve interacts with a guiding element, which interacts with a holding element, such that the bearing sleeve moves relative to the holding element in a first direction oriented radially to the longitudinal axis of the bearing sleeve when the screw pinion shaft is not loaded with torque, and relative movement is prevented when the screw pinion shaft is loaded with torque by moving the bearing sleeve in relation to the holding element in a second direction that is oriented radially to the longitudinal axis and perpendicularly to the first direction, whereby the guiding element is tilted in a guiding opening of the holding element or the bearing sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jens-Uwe Hafermalz, Marco Grau, Martin Zimmermann, Dennis Fuechsel
  • Patent number: 11512773
    Abstract: A selector unit includes a panel, and a dial member that protrudes in a first direction from an opening of the panel. A surface of the panel includes a concave surface having a depth that increases toward the opening. The dial member has an operation portion gripped by a user, and a base shaft portion that extends from the operation portion through the opening of the panel. At least a part of an outer circumferential surface of the base shaft portion is an inclined surface that is inclined radially outward as being away from the panel, and the inclined surface is opposed to the surface of the panel in the first direction. The distance from the surface of the panel to the inclined surface of the dial member in the first direction continuously increases, as a radial distance from the opening to the inclined surface increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazunori Masaoka, Naoki Yamada, Junya Ono, Naofumi Ota