Including Electrically Actuated Clutch Assemblage Patents (Class 192/48.2)
  • Patent number: 11572718
    Abstract: A hatch arrangement for a motor vehicle including a hatch leaf pivotably coupled to a vehicle body being movable between an open hatch position and a closed hatch position, a hatch drive arrangement for moving the hatch leaf, a hatch lock arranged on the hatch leaf, the hatch lock comprising a hatch lock catch, and a cinching system configured to move the hatch lock catch from the secondary latch position to the primary latch position. The hatch arrangement includes, a force transfer arrangement for transferring a force exerted by the hatch drive arrangement to the hatch lock catch, and including a transfer element coupled to the hatch drive arrangement and a Bowden cable connecting the transfer element with the hatch lock catch, and in the closed hatch position of the hatch leaf the hatch arrangement is free from pulling forces between the transfer element and the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Brose Schließsysteme GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Wuppertal
    Inventor: David Rosales
  • Patent number: 11454288
    Abstract: An actuator assembly comprises a rotatably drivable drive gear; a locking ring which is rotatably mounted in a stationary housing and is drivingly connected to the drive gear, wherein the locking ring is rotatable from a first rotational position into a second rotational position against a rotation stop; wherein at least one friction face pairing is provided in the power path between the drive gear and the locking ring, via which a torque can be transmitted to the locking ring by frictional forces; a first ramp ring drivable by the drive gear and a second ramp ring, which are axially supported against each other and are configured to convert rotary movement into axial movement; wherein the first ramp ring, after the locking ring has reached the rotary stop, can be further rotatably driven by the drive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Jan Haupt, Thomas Weckerling, Theodor Gassmann
  • Patent number: 11415208
    Abstract: An electric drive axle of a vehicle includes an electric motor having an output shaft. A compound idler assembly is connected to the electric motor. The compound idler assembly includes at least one gear-clutch assembly in driving engagement with the output shaft of the electric motor. A differential is connected to the compound idler assembly, and in selective driving engagement with the compound idler assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Eric M. Engerman, Ryan D. Nelms, Amar Nivarthi
  • Patent number: 10772690
    Abstract: A system comprises a medical instrument including a rotatable capstan. The rotatable capstan includes a capstan coupling member that can engage with a drive shaft coupling member such that rotation of the drive shaft causes rotation of the capstan about a drive axis concentric with the drive shaft, and can disengage from the drive shaft coupling member such that rotation of the drive shaft does not cause rotation of the capstan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Maria Prisco
  • Patent number: 10626923
    Abstract: A hub of a centrifugal clutch is mounted to a crankshaft of an engine. The hub includes: a hub boss at a center of the hub; a hub flange contiguous to an outer periphery of the hub boss; and a clutch element held to the hub flange. The hub boss is fastened to one end portion of the crankshaft with a plurality of fastening members extending parallel to the rotary shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Jun Takagi
  • Patent number: 10495159
    Abstract: A clutch assembly includes an outer race presenting a plurality of outer ratchet teeth and an inner race presenting a plurality of outer ratchet teeth. A selectable one-way clutch includes at least one active strut pivotably supported by the outer race and at least one electromagnetic actuator. The electromagnetic actuator is selectively energized for effectuating pivoting of the active strut from an unlocked position wherein the active strut is disengaged from the outer ratchet teeth to a locked position for engaging one of the plurality of outer ratchet teeth during rotation of the inner race. The clutch assembly includes a lead frame assembly attached to the outer race and electrically connected to the at least one electromagnetic actuator for controlling selective energization of the at least one electromagnetic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN INC.
    Inventors: Darrell F. Greene, Adrian C. Cioc, Sean A. Steele, Dennis T. Loui, Myron R. Samila, David V. Dorigo
  • Patent number: 10400829
    Abstract: A clutch assembly includes at least a first separator plate and a second separator plate coaxial with and adjacent the first separator plate. The first separator plate includes at least a first magnet arranged such that a first pole of the first magnet faces in a direction toward the second separator plate. The second separator plate includes at least a second magnet arranged such that a first pole of the second magnet having a polarity the same as the first pole of the first magnet faces in a direction toward the first separator plate. The first and second magnets are arranged with respect to each other such that a repulsive force tending to force the first and second separator plates away from each other is generated between like poles of the first magnet and the second magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Luke A. Rippelmeyer
  • Patent number: 10323699
    Abstract: An electromagnetic connect/disconnect system with an electromagnet including a coil and a coil housing. The system also includes a rotatable and axially slideable slide ring located between the coil housing and a sliding collar. The slide ring has a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface. The sliding collar has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is located radially inward from the slide ring and defines a first set of axially extending teeth. The second portion is located radially inward from the first portion. A return spring is located adjacent the sliding collar. An output gear is also included which has a second set of axially extending teeth for selective engagement with the sliding collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Peter A. Beesley, Randy L. Sommer, Kenneth E. Cooper
  • Patent number: 10274023
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a double clutch assembly and a device for assisting an actuator of the double clutch. The device applies an assistance force to the actuator upon an operation of the actuator. In particular, the double clutch assembly includes first and second actuators which engage or disengage first and second clutches, respectively. The device includes: an elastic member to apply an elastic force; a first transfer portion to transfer the elastic force of the elastic member to the first actuator; and a second transfer portion to transfer the elastic force of the elastic member to the second actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: In Tae Park
  • Patent number: 10252723
    Abstract: A slip factor learning method of a dual clutch transmission (DCT) may include: determining, by a control unit, whether the DCT is up-shifted or down-shifted; comparing an engine speed to a shift start reference speed, and determining whether the engine speed enters an actual gear shifting period or actual gear shifting is completed, in response to the determined type of the gear shifting; comparing a magnitude of an engine torque to a magnitude of a clutch torque at a point of time that the engine speed enters the actual gear shifting period or the actual gear shifting is completed; and learning a slip factor at the point of time that the engine speed enters the actual gear shifting period or the actual gear shifting is completed, based on the magnitude comparison result between the engine torque and the clutch torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Autron Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seong Jin Park, Woo Sik Yoon
  • Patent number: 10119602
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a power transmission apparatus. The power transmission apparatus includes: an input shaft including a male screw portion formed thereon; a pair of input gears formed on the input shaft to be freely rotatable with the male screw portion being interposed therebetween; an output gear formed to be rotatable in a state of being linked with the pair of input gears; and a power interrupting unit screw-coupled to the male screw portion of the input shaft, and configured to rectilinearly reciprocate along the input shaft by a rotation of the input shaft to be selectively engaged with any one of the pair of input gears so as to transmit a power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: TECHNOVATION PARTNERS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kyung Yul Hyun
  • Patent number: 9958017
    Abstract: A metering device for controlling an oil delivery rate for a wet-running clutch. The wet-running clutch has at least one pair of interacting friction surfaces and an actuation unit for actuating the wet-running clutch. The actuation unit has an axially supported support disk and an axially displaceable thrust disk, wherein the thrust disk and the support disk are rotatable relative to one another. The metering device has a first component which is connected fixedly with respect to a housing, and a second component which is connected to the thrust disk in a rotationally conjoint and axially relatively displaceable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain AG & Co KG
    Inventor: Stefan Leitgeb
  • Patent number: 9777778
    Abstract: One of coaxially placed two output shafts which is located on the inner outer side is a first shaft 102, and the other one which is located on the outer side is a second shaft 104. The first shaft 102 projects more than the second shaft 104. A first clutch disk 116 is connected to a projecting portion of the first shaft 102, and a second clutch disk 110 is connected to the second shaft 104 through a sleeve 106. The second shaft 104 and the sleeve 106 are splined to each other, and the sleeve 106 and the second clutch disk 110 are splined to each other. According to this, the sleeve 106 is structurally permitted to move in an axial direction of the engaging/disengaging mechanism, and the first clutch disk 116 is engaged and disengaged by the movement of the sleeve 106 in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: Masakatsu Kono
  • Patent number: 9726229
    Abstract: One of coaxially placed two output shafts which is located on the inner outer side is a first shaft 102, and the other one which is located on the outer side is a second shaft 104. The first shaft 102 projects more than the second shaft 104. A first clutch disk 116 is connected to a projecting portion of the first shaft 102, and a second clutch disk 110 is connected to the second shaft 104 through a sleeve 106. The second shaft 104 and the sleeve 106 are splined to each other, and the sleeve 106 and the second clutch disk 110 are splined to each other. According to this, the sleeve 106 is structurally permitted to move in an axial direction of the engaging/disengaging mechanism, and the first clutch disk 116 is engaged and disengaged by the movement of the sleeve 106 in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Inventor: Masakatsu Kono
  • Patent number: 9635812
    Abstract: A drive system for a self-propelled harvesting machine includes a drive engine, designed as an internal combustion engine, a transfer gearbox driven by the drive engine that includes a first driven pulley which is disposed on a drive shaft for driving at least one drive pulley of a working mechanism using a first belt, and at least one hydraulic pump for driving a further working mechanism. A second output pulley is assigned to the transfer gearbox and drives the at least one hydraulic pump using a second belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Schiewer, Andreas Krauss, Jan Furmaniak
  • Patent number: 9638273
    Abstract: A brake assembly for a vehicle comprising a wheel comprising a hollow section and a rim, the rim comprising a first portion comprising an electrically conductive material and a second portion adjacent to the first portion comprising a plurality of a permanent magnets and a stator comprising at least one electromagnetic coil arranged to be located within the hollow section of the wheel, wherein the stator is moveable between a first position in which the at least one electromagnetic coil is inductively coupled to the first portion of the rim when the wheel is rotating relative to the stator, and a second position in which the at least one electromagnetic coil is inductively coupled to the second portion of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Safran Landing Systems UK LTD
    Inventor: Robert Kyle Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9637967
    Abstract: An electrically powered vehicle tailgate operator for pivoting a tailgate of a pickup truck about a horizontal tailgate axis near a bottom edge of the tailgate. The vehicle tailgate operator comprises a cable spool for spooling a cable and a drive gear for transmitting torque from the drive shaft to the cable spool. The vehicle tailgate operator also has a retention system. The cable spool, the drive actuator, the drive shaft, the drive gear, and the retention system are arranged inside of a housing, wherein the spool axis is oriented in parallel to the drive shaft axis and the spool axis is arranged on the same height or above the drive shaft axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Robert J. Hunt, Kyle Schroeder
  • Patent number: 9523393
    Abstract: Pulley assemblies for vehicle accessories, such as a water pump. The pulley assembly which can be connected to a related housing member, such as a clutch housing member, includes a pulley member directly driven by the accessory belt of a vehicle engine and a separate pair of bearing members. A preferred use of the pulley assembly is with a hybrid coolant pump with two modes of operation, an electric motor operation, and a mechanical pulley-driven operation. A friction clutch assembly can be positioned inside the housing member and can include a softening spring which minimizes parasitic clutch power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua L. Roby
  • Patent number: 9371869
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus is provided with a first rotational member, a second rotational member, a clutch device for coupling a power transmission between the first rotational member and the second rotational member, and a ring shape actuator of the clutch device. A rotational axis of one of the first rotational member and the second rotational member penetrates through a radially internal space of the ring shape actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: GKN Driveline Japan LTD.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Fukuda, Masaaki Fusegi, Mitsuaki Kakuta, Noriyuki Sudou
  • Patent number: 9344016
    Abstract: A storage module voltage equalizer includes a plurality of voltage equalization circuits that are prepared to correspond to a plurality of storage cells which are arranged to be lined up in a first direction, and equalize an inter-terminal voltage of the plurality of storage cells, and a plurality of mounting substrates that are stacked, in which the plurality of voltage equalization circuits are mounted, in a distributed manner, on the plurality of mounting substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignees: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd., Sumitomo (S.H.I.) Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuntaro Adachi, Jitsutaka Takeo, Takashi Umeda
  • Patent number: 9334953
    Abstract: In a control apparatus for a vehicle power transmission mechanism (automatic transmission) having a transmission equipped with at least an input shaft connected to a drive source mounted on a vehicle, an output shaft connected to the input shaft via a speed ratio change mechanism, and a clutch (start clutch) which transmits a rotation of the output shaft to driven wheels and whose engaging force is regulated, a clutch output rotation change rate is calculated, and the clutch engaging force is corrected to decrease when the calculated output rotation change rate is a positive value, and the clutch engaging force is corrected to increase when the calculated output rotation change rate is a negative value, thereby enabling to suppress clutch juddering occurred due to a difference between input and output rotational speeds of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kurata, Akihira Aoki, Keiji Tojo, Isao Tabushi
  • Patent number: 9127730
    Abstract: A clutch module which includes a first rotating member including at least one strut actuation module and a second engaged member including cam surfaces thereon for engagement by said strut actuation module. The strut actuation module includes a frame with a strut pivotally movable with respect to the frame. The strut includes an engagement end and a base end including a first side and a second side thereof. A pin or post portion extends from the frame and has an insulated bobbin with an energizable coil surrounding the bobbin. A U-shaped member including a pair of actuation legs is attached to the pin member and forms a magnetic gap between the base end of the strut and peripheral ends of the legs, such that when the coil is energized the peripheral ends of the legs are polarized in a first polarity and the frame and the strut are polarized with an opposite polarity thereby biasing the strut toward the peripheral ends and pivoting the actuation end into engagement with a cam surface of the engagement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell Greene, Adrian Cioc
  • Patent number: 9026330
    Abstract: A twin clutch controlling apparatus includes a clutch actuator for controlling a twin clutch TCL, and a manual operation clutch capacity arithmetic operation section for converting an operation amount of a clutch lever L into an electric signal to arithmetically operate a manual operation clutch capacity arithmetic operation value (tqc1tmt) corresponding to the manual operation. The twin clutch controlling apparatus is configured so as to accept a changeover from an Auto mode to a Temp mode in response to an operation of the clutch lever L. When an operation of the clutch lever L is detected during automatic control in the Auto mode, an event that the manual operation clutch capacity arithmetic operation value (tqc1tmt) comes to have a value similar to that of the clutch capacity (tqc1at) calculated in the Auto mode is included in conditions for a changeover to the Temp mode to occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Nedachi, Hiroyuki Kojima, Kazuhiko Nakamura, Kazuyuki Fukaya, Yasuyuki Mori, Satoshi Honma
  • Patent number: 9010510
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dual clutch for a dual clutch transmission for transmitting a torque from a drive shaft to at least one drive shaft, which comprises a first clutch, a second clutch, and an electrical actuating device. The actuating device comprises a coupling slide, wherein a first slide of the coupling slide acts on the first clutch, and a second slide of the coupling slide acts on the second clutch, and the two slides are movable in such a way that by displacing the slides a recoupling process is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Gerundt, Uwe Bauer, Bernhard Schlagmueller, Ulrich Kappenstein, Stefan Tumback, Yang Shen, Carolin Scholler
  • Patent number: 8978838
    Abstract: A drive device includes a first one-way coupling including a cam plate, pocket plate and struts, a second one-way coupling including a second cam plate driveably connected to the pocket plate, second pocket plate extending in a partial circular arc and secured to the cam plate, and second struts for opening and closing a drive connection between said second plates, and electromagnets for causing the second struts to close said drive connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Norman J. Bird
  • Patent number: 8977458
    Abstract: A twin clutch controlling apparatus wherein a clutch lever is operated during a deceleration operation in which an auto mode (Auto) is selected, then a shift down action from a gear position “N-2” at which a driving force can be transmitted only by one of an odd number stage side clutch CL1 and an even number stage side clutch CL2 to another position “1-2” at which the transmission gear for transmitting a driving force is switched in response to switching control of the clutch is carried out in response to the operation of the clutch lever. After the shift down action, if re-connection of the clutch is to be carried out by the clutch lever, then the clutch (CL1, CL2) on the side to be driven in response to a manual operation clutch capacity arithmetic operation value (tqc1tmt) is determined in response to a vehicle speed V.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Nedachi, Hiroyuki Kojima, Kazuyuki Fukaya, Kazuhiko Nakamura, Satoshi Honma, Yasuyuki Mori
  • Patent number: 8936143
    Abstract: A wrap spring clutch system includes one or more wrap spring clutch assemblies each having a latching actuator assembly. The latching actuator assembly includes an armature plunger movably coupled with a solenoid coil, and in a powered solenoid coil state the solenoid coil moves the armature plunger between deployed and retracted configurations. A latching magnet latches the armature plunger in one of the deployed or retracted configuration in an unpowered solenoid coil state. A latching spring latches the armature plunger in the other of the deployed or retracted configuration in an unpowered solenoid coil state. The wrap spring clutches include a rotatable input hub and a rotatable output hub configured for rotation by the input hub. A helical spring is engaged with the output hub and selectively engaged in slipping and locking engagement with the input hub according to the deployed or retracted configuration of the armature plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jesse Wagers
  • Patent number: 8925701
    Abstract: A clutch by-wire capable of switching any number of clutch circuits and is capable of distributing rotary movement of a single rotary source simultaneously to any combination of the clutch circuits without stopping the rotary source, where a direction of rotary movement received by any of the clutch circuits does not depend on directions of rotary movements received by the other clutch circuits of the combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventors: Alisa Michnik Dube, Yefim Michnik
  • Patent number: 8909446
    Abstract: A twin clutch controlling apparatus includes an ATM control unit for controlling a shift actuator and a clutch actuator and a shift pedal P for carrying out shifting request to the ATM control unit. When a shifting request by the shift pedal P is issued, the ATM control unit drives the shift actuator to change over the shift stage to a next stage gear irrespective of an operational amount of a clutch lever L and then causes the manual operation clutch capacity arithmetic operation value (tqcltmt) to correspond to a clutch capacity corresponding to the next stage gear using an operational amount of the clutch lever L that exceeds a predetermined value as a trigger. If a predetermined period of time elapses while the clutch lever L is not operated, then the shifting request is an erroneous operation and the shift stage is returned to an original gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kojima, Yoshiaki Tsukada, Kazuyuki Fukaya, Yoshiaki Nedachi, Yasuyuki Mori, Satoshi Honma, Kazuhiko Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20140346001
    Abstract: An actuator for a twin clutch device includes a single electric motor, first and second drive mechanisms, first and second transmission mechanisms, first and second hydraulic damper mechanisms and a control unit. Each first/second drive mechanism is configured to receive a first/second directional rotation from the electric motor and drive its respective first/second release member in a first operational direction. Each first/second transmission mechanism is configured to transmit only the first/second directional rotation from the electric motor to its respective first/second drive mechanism. Each first/second hydraulic damper mechanism is configured to regulate a moving speed of its respective first/second release member in a second operational direction opposite to the first operational direction. The control unit is configured to control the rotation of the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Eguchi
  • Patent number: 8893869
    Abstract: A clutch actuator for vehicles may include a lever lift engaged to a power generation unit so that the lever lift may be linearly moved by power generated from the power generation unit, wherein the lever lift includes an inclined surface provided on each of first and second ends thereof, and a lever provided between the lever lift and an actuating member that operates a diaphragm spring, wherein the lever includes lift protrusions formed at positions corresponding to respective inclined surfaces and contacting thereto, and wherein the lever may be configured such that when the lever lift linearly moves in a predetermined direction, the lift protrusions move along corresponding inclined surfaces, so that opposite ends of the lever pivotally rotate, whereby one of the opposite ends of the lever moves towards the actuating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Wan Soo Oh, Jae Woong Hwang
  • Patent number: 8893362
    Abstract: A turret tool holder, having structure capable of easily avoiding unnecessary free rotation of a turret, is provided. When a linearly movable shaft is moved toward a turret head section by driving a servomotor, an annular movable coupling element arranged in the turret begins to disengage from an annular fixed coupling element fixed to a support. While the movable coupling member is still engaged with the fixed coupling member, clutch teeth of a clutch member are engaged with other clutch teeth. Therefore, even when the annular movable coupling element is disengaged from the annular fixed coupling element, the turret is prevented from freely rotating by the engaged clutch teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Citizen Machinery Miyano Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Aoyagi
  • Patent number: 8887885
    Abstract: A clutch actuator for a vehicle includes a movable member connected to a power generating unit and configured to be linearly moved by power provided by the power generating unit, and a lever having a pivoting point at one end thereof and to which a release fork is connected at an opposite end thereof to provide a point of application, the lever being configured such that a location of the point of application is varied such that the lever is rotated about the pivoting point when a force point is pushed by the movable member and a length between the point of application and the force point is shortened when the lever is rotated about the pivoting point and a rotating force of the lever is improved as the release fork is moved toward the pivoting point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jin Woo Lee, Eui Hee Jeong, Jeong Heon Kam
  • Patent number: 8857294
    Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch differential for controlling torque transmission between a pinion input shaft and at least one output hub. The clutch having a clutch housing and the roll cage mounted within the housing. An engagement control assembly is provided for controlling the relative position of the roll cage with respect to a cam surface on the clutch housing. The engagement control assembly includes an electronically controlled actuation device, such as a coil or solenoid, which when activated causes the roll cage to rotate into a second position relative to the clutch housing to engage the rolls with the cam surface and an outer surface of the hub. A spring is engaged with the clutch housing and has an end engaged with the roll cage for biasing the roll cage into a neutral position when the roll cage is in its second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: The Hilliard Corporation
    Inventors: J. Brendan Brewer, Kelly P. Heath, James E. Palmer, Howard J. Knickerbocker, John Michael Hasson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8852040
    Abstract: The proposal is for a switchable friction clutch having a drive wheel (5) driven by a drive motor via a drive belt, wherein a first electromagnet arrangement (19) is provided for actuating a first friction clutch (21), and a second electromagnet arrangement (24) is provided for actuating a second friction clutch (23) in order to be able to drive a drive shaft (13) of an auxiliary unit (3) at different rotational speeds via the drive wheel (5) at one rotational speed of the drive wheel. According to the invention, a belt drive arrangement is provided between the drive wheel (5) and the drive shaft (13) of the auxiliary unit (3) to drive the drive shaft (13) at the different speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Kendrion Linnig GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Gebhart
  • Patent number: 8844390
    Abstract: A dual clutch transmission with multiple gears operatively coupled thereto, comprises: first and second input shafts coaxially arranged to each other; a first clutch operatively coupled with the first input shaft to drive the transmission with a gear selected from a first set of non-consecutively numbered gears; a second clutch coaxially arranged with the first clutch and operatively coupled with the second input shaft to drive the transmission with a gear selected from a second set of non-consecutively numbered gears; first and second clutch actuating devices, each including an actuator and a pivot member, each pivot member operatively coupled between the actuator and a clutch applicator of cylindrical shape to move its clutch applicator for clutch operation; and a plurality of first and second clutch levers received in a clutch retaining housing in a circularly and alternately arranged pattern. The first and second clutch levers are configured to move the first and second clutches, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Wia Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Bowen, Nam Huh
  • Patent number: 8833484
    Abstract: A control method for a power tool and a power tool is disclosed. The control method has an operating mode and a safety mode. In the operating mode, a motor drives a tool receptacle in a rotating manner. In the operating mode, the motor has a power consumption in the amount of at least an operating value. The safety mode is triggered if a sensor device detects a rotational blockade of the tool receptacle. In the safety mode, a clutch that is switchable by electrical signals located in the drive train between the motor and tool receptacle is periodically opened and closed and a power consumption of the motor is reduced as compared to the operating value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Albert Binder, Dieter Profunser, Alexander Hoop
  • Patent number: 8813929
    Abstract: A controllable coupling assembly includes first, second and third coupling members supported for rotation relative to one another about a common rotational axis. A face of the first coupling member has pockets spaced about the axis. A face of the second coupling member has locking formations that are engaged by struts upon projecting outwardly from the pockets to prevent relative rotation of the first and second coupling members with respect to each other in at least one direction about the axis. A face of the third coupling member has pockets spaced about the axis. A different face of the second coupling member has locking formations that are engaged by struts from the third member to prevent relative rotation of the second and third coupling members with respect to each other in at least one direction about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Kimes
  • Publication number: 20140216882
    Abstract: A rotation transmission device is provided which includes a two-way clutch and an electromagnetic clutch for engaging and disengaging the two-way clutch and which can be easily assembled without the need for a shim to prevent movements of the clutches. The two-way clutch (10) and the electromagnetic clutch (50) are mounted in a housing (3) including at one end a positioning arrangement (5). The two-way clutch (10) and the electromagnetic clutch (5) are biased by an elastic member (7) supported by the positioning arrangement (5) toward an anti-separation ring (8) provided on the inner periphery of the housing (3) at the other end thereof, and are thus prevented from moving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Naotsugu Kitayama, Koji Akiyoshi, Koji Sato
  • Publication number: 20140216881
    Abstract: A clutch arrangement (1) for transmitting a drive torque from a drive shaft (2) to a secondary assembly, in particular to a fan wheel (11) of a motor vehicle, comprising a drive shaft (2), an output (10) and a friction disc clutch (12) which can be shifted by means of an electromagnetic arrangement (13). The clutch arrangement (1) comprises, in addition to the friction disc clutch (12) for transmitting torque from the drive shaft (2) to the output (10), a fluid friction clutch (4) whose hydraulic control valve (5) can be actuated by means of the electromagnetic arrangement (13) of the friction disc clutch (12) in order to set the slip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: KENDRION LINNIG GMBH
    Inventor: Christian Tilly
  • Patent number: 8793034
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a complete vehicle ecosystem are provided. Specifically, systems that when taken alone, or together, provide an individual or group of individuals with an intuitive and comfortable vehicular environment. The present disclosure includes a system to recognize the drivers and/or passengers within the automobile. Based on the recognition, the vehicle may change a configuration of the automobile to match predetermined preferences for the driver and/or passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Flextronics AP, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Patent number: 8789671
    Abstract: A transmission system for driving one or two of a plurality of drivable devices by a single drive motor including an input shaft (4) for connection to the drive motor, a plurality of output units, each output unit including a drive member (6), which is drivable by the input shaft (4), an output shaft (16) and a clutch mechanism (8,18). A clutch engagement actuator (30) is arranged to act on a selected one of the clutch mechanisms (8, 18) to connect the input shaft (4) to the associated output shaft (16). The drive members (6) are carried on a common drive shaft (2) and are rotatable with respect to it. The clutch mechanisms (8,18) are operable to selectively connect the drive member (6) to the drive shaft (2) to rotate with it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Inventor: John Phillip Chevalier
  • Patent number: 8776976
    Abstract: An electromagnetic friction clutch including a rotor, further clutch element which orbits a common axis of rotation with the rotor and is supported so that it can rotate relative to the rotor, eddy current elements for transmitting a rotational movement on the principle of an eddy current clutch, one of the eddy current elements being rotationally fixed to the further clutch element, and one or more magnetic elements rotationally fixed to the rotor so as to orbit one of the eddy current elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Licos Trucktec GmbH
    Inventor: Rainer Krafft
  • Patent number: 8732947
    Abstract: Some embodiments of a fan clutch system for use in a vehicle can provide efficient access to one or more components for inspection and service even after the fan clutch system is installed in the vehicle. In particular embodiments, the fan clutch system can include a fan clutch device and a coil retainer assembly that are removably mounted to a right-angle gear box assembly in a manner that permits a technician to accessing at least one component for inspection, repair, or replacement. The coil retainer assembly may at least partially house an electromagnetic coil for selective activation. The system may further include a fan clutch device removably mounted to the drive member of the gear box assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Kit Masters Inc.
    Inventors: Craig M. Swanson, Thomas M. Jagger
  • Patent number: 8708854
    Abstract: A torque transmitting system includes a case, first and second clutch plates, and a ramp member that is selectively rotatable about an axis and that defines a ramp surface. The system also includes an electric motor having a motor housing, wherein the case is rotatable relative to the housing about the axis. The motor is configured to selectively apply torque to rotate the ramp member. The system additionally includes a roller element mounted with respect to the case and contacting the ramp surface. The ramp surface is configured such that, when the ramp member is rotated about the axis, the roller element exerts a reaction force on the ramp surface that urges the ramp member to move in a first axial direction and thereby transmit the reaction force to the clutch plates. A transmission assembly including the above described torque transmitting system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Li Chen, Jian Yao, Chunhao J. Lee, Chi-Kuan Kao, Farzad Samie, Yu Dong, Chengliang Yin
  • Patent number: 8678156
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shiftable friction clutch (1a, 1b) for actuation with a pressure medium. Clutches of this type can be used, for example, to drive auxiliary assemblies such as fans (22) in vehicle construction. An especially compact construction is achieved through the use of a disk spring (6). A production method is furthermore proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kendrion Linnig GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Gebhart
  • Patent number: 8678153
    Abstract: A twin-clutch device that selectively transmits torque from a driving wheel to a first driven wheel and/or a second driven wheel is provided. The first and second driven wheels are arranged respectively on both sides of the driving wheel, a functional fluid that decreases its flowability as an applied stimulus is increased and that increases its flowability as the applied stimulus is reduced fills gaps between the driving wheel and the first and second driven wheels, the driving wheel includes a stimulus generating member electrically controlled to generate a stimulus, and flowability of the functional fluid between the driving wheel and one of the first and second driven wheels is decreased with an increase in stimulus applied to the functional fluid by the stimulus generating member to couple the driving wheel to the one of the first and second driven wheels, thus allowing torque transmission therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ogawa, Akira Murakami
  • Patent number: 8657091
    Abstract: A clutch device which transmits torque by causing multiple friction engagement elements to engage with each other by use of a clutch connection/disconnection member caused to operate by an electric actuator includes: an elastic member disposed between the clutch connection/disconnection member and the multiple friction engagement elements; position detector for detecting a position of the clutch connection/disconnection member; and controller for controlling an operation of the electric actuator on the basis of the position of the clutch connection/disconnection member detected by the position detector. Thus, the position of the clutch connection/disconnection member (i.e. a stroke amount of the elastic member) and a torque transmission capacity of the clutch device have a linear relationship with each other. Hence, the torque transmission capacity of the clutch device can be accurately controlled by the electric actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Nedachi, Yoshiaki Tsukada, Takashi Ozeki
  • Publication number: 20140027236
    Abstract: A clutch plate arranged to face a contact object so as to be relatively rotatable and relatively movable includes a contact surface being able to contact the contact object via lubricant and a minute groove open at the contact surface and formed of a plurality of groove portions having a predetermined groove pitch. A ratio of a contact area of the contact surface to an area obtained by adding an opening area of the minute groove to the contact area of the contact surface is 90% to 96% in an initial state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Junji ANDO, Hiroyuki Ando, Takuya Tsuda
  • Patent number: 8573375
    Abstract: The invention discloses an electromagnetic friction clutch for driving a fan impeller in the engine compartment of a vehicle. The clutch includes a disk rotor consisting of a plane flat part, a further clutch element which is supported so that it is freely rotatable and which can be driven by the rotor through controllable friction contact, and elements for transmitting a rotational movement according to a principle of an eddy current drive with an eddy current ring fitted to the outer edge area of the disk rotor of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Licos Trucktec GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Krafft, Jürgen D'Angel