Patents Assigned to GKN Automotive Limited
  • Patent number: 11649885
    Abstract: A differential apparatus includes a differential unit and a multi-plate clutch. The differential unit includes a differential case, a differential gear and a pair of output gears. The differential case includes a case main body and a cover body to close an opening of the case main body. The opening of the case main body is formed on a side of one of the pair of output gears. The multi-plate clutch is provided only on a side of the opening of the case main body. Outer clutch plates of the multi-plate clutch are engaged with the differential case. Inner clutch plates of the multi-plate clutch are engaged with the one of the pair of the output gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Isao Hirota, Noboru Higano, Yousuke Kawai
  • Patent number: 11619291
    Abstract: A differential device is provided with: a ring gear having a tooth row arranged around an axis to mesh with an input gear; an outer case combined with the ring gear and rotatable about the axis; an inner case rotatable about the axis relative to the outer case and having a toothed end with axially projecting dog teeth; a differential gear set supported by the inner case and to be coupled with a pair of axles to allow differential motion between the axles; a clutch member engaging with the outer case and disconnectably connecting with the dog teeth so as to prevent the inner case from rotating relative to the outer case; and perforations penetrating the outer case and opened on an outer face of the outer case, the perforations being so disposed as to expose the dog teeth radially outwardly from the outer case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Ohashi, Hideki Nonaka, Koji Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 11603915
    Abstract: A differential with a clutch is provided with: a differential gear set; a dividable casing defining a chamber accommodating the clutch and the differential gear set; a first member of the casing formed in a unitary body and including an end wall having a window penetrating the end wall, a boss portion projecting axially outward from the end wall, a side wall around the axis and a flange extending radially outward for receiving the torque; a second member of the casing fixed with the side wall to close the chamber; an axially movable clutch member axially movable including a leg portion disposed in the window and transmitting the torque from the end wall to the differential gear set; and an actuator having an axially outward offset from the flange and including a plunger abutting on the leg portion and driven axially by the actuator to thrust the clutch member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Toshiaki Komatsu, Kazuhiro Ohashi, Chikashi Wakamatsu
  • Patent number: 11473662
    Abstract: A vehicle differential may have multiple gears and include a coil, a drive member movable in response to a magnetic field generated by the coil, with the drive member being movable between a first position and a second position. The drive member has an axis and includes a first body that is magnetically responsive, a second body coupled to the first body, an axis, an axially forward face and a stop surface axially spaced from the forward face, where the stop surface is arranged to limit movement of the drive member away from the first position. A lock member is engaged and driven by the forward face of the drive member to engage a gear of the differential when the drive member is in the second position, and the lock member is adapted to be disengaged from the gear when the drive member is in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventor: Toshiaki Komatsu
  • 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: 11433869
    Abstract: A drive torque of an electric motor for driving a driveline included in a driveline assembly of a motor vehicle can be controlled as a function of the vehicle speed in such a way that, when the vehicle speed is below a predetermined threshold value, the electric motor is controlled in a high torque mode and, when the vehicle speed is above the threshold value, the electric motor is controlled in a low torque mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Peter Obergünner, Harwin Niessen, Michael Höck, Theodor Gassmann
  • Patent number: 11413946
    Abstract: An electric drive can comprise a housing assembly; an electric machine with a hollow shaft; a planetary gearing; and a power distribution unit having an input part and two output parts, the input part being connected to the planet carrier, one of the output parts being connected to an intermediate shaft extending through the hollow shaft; wherein the housing assembly comprises a motor-sided first housing part, a gearing-sided second housing part, and an intermediate housing part disposed therebetween, wherein the intermediate housing part includes, integrally formed, an intermediate wall, a motor-side jacket portion and a gearing-side jacket portion, wherein a sealed cavity for a coolant flowing therethrough is formed between an outer face of the motor-side jacket portion and the inner face of the first gearing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Marc Absenger, Waldemar Rupp, Mario Besgen, Dominic Eichholz, Tobias Sander, Hans-Joachim Schmeink, Colin Zaers
  • Patent number: 11402006
    Abstract: A differential device is provided with a casing rotatable about an axis, a differential gear set coupled therewith including a pinion gear with a pressure angle (a4) and side gears in mesh therewith, output members respectively mediating torque transmission from the side gears to axles, each of which includes a friction face as a friction clutch for limiting the differential motion, dog teeth, and an oblique face forming an angle (a1) and constituting a cam for operating the friction clutch, a clutch member axially movable for functioning as a clutch to lock the differential motion and including a leg having a side face forming an angle (a2) to function as a cam and movable dog teeth each forming an angle (a3) satisfying an inequality a2?a3; and an actuator capable of driving the clutch member toward a position where the movable dog teeth mesh with the dog teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Isao Hirota, Manabu Endou, Masato Horiguchi
  • Patent number: 11333231
    Abstract: A drive control apparatus includes a circuitry configured to operate a differential lock device of a differential device in timings which are different between a two wheel drive state and a four wheel drive state. The differential device is disposed between one of a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels of the vehicle and configured to transmit a driving force from a drive source to the one of the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels. The differential lock device is configured to lock a differential rotation of a pair of output members of the differential device that are differentially rotatable with respect to each other, and configured to respectively output the drive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Takahiro Nagaoka, Ryuya Saitoh
  • Patent number: 11320047
    Abstract: A transmission assembly for an electric drive comprises a drive shaft, a reduction gearing rotatably drivable by the drive shaft, a power distribution unit drivingly connected to the reduction gearing and configured to transmit a rotational motion to two output parts, a parking lock unit having a parking ratchet wheel which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a torque-transmitting member in the power path between the drive shaft and the output parts, and having a controllable locking element which can be selectively engaged with the parking ratchet wheel; wherein the parking lock unit is arranged in a parking lock housing which is liquid-tightly sealed with respect to a transmission housing so that a first oil bath in the transmission housing is separated from a second oil bath in the parking lock housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Sascha Miebach, Mark Schmidt, Ervin Szilagyi
  • Patent number: 11313464
    Abstract: A parking lock unit for a drive assembly, in particular with an electric motor, comprises a parking lock housing, a ratchet wheel rotationally fixedly connected to a part of the drive assembly, which is rotatably supported about a rotational axis by at least one bearing, and comprising a connecting portion and an engagement portion which are connected to one another via a web portion; a locking element which is supported in the parking lock housing and can lock and release a rotational movement of the parking ratchet wheel about a longitudinal axis of the parking ratchet wheel, and a controllable locking actuator which can reversibly transfer the locking element into a position locking the parking ratchet wheel and a position releasing the parking ratchet wheel, wherein the parking ratchet wheel is formed such that the engagement portion is axially offset with respect to the connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Sascha Miebach, Mark Schmidt, Simon Broicher, Ervin Szilagyi
  • Patent number: 11306803
    Abstract: A rear drive unit (RDU) for a vehicle includes a shift collar, a sleeve disposed around the shift collar, a planetary gear set, a differential including a side gear, and a locking plate configured to engage the side gear. The sleeve is configured to move the shift collar between a first position and a second position. The planetary gear set includes a sun gear and at least one planetary gear engaged with the sun gear. The sun gear is configured to engage the shift collar in the second position. The at least one planetary gear includes a pin extending through an entire length of the at least one planetary gear. The shift collar is configured to exert a force upon the locking plate via the pin to move the locking plate into engagement with the side gear in a third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Lei Yang, Brent Peura
  • Patent number: 11306805
    Abstract: A differential with a washer for a gear in a differential housing includes an outer edge at a maximum radial distance from an axis, and an inner edge defining an opening, the inner edge defined in part by an innermost portion at a minimum radial distance from the axis and the inner edge having an outward portion spaced radially outwardly from the innermost portion. The washer also includes an axially and radially inclined sidewall extending at least part of the way between the outer edge and the innermost portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: David E. Gall, Kevin J. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 11248662
    Abstract: A dual clutch unit includes an outer disk carrier rotationally driven about a rotation axis, first and second inner disk carriers, first and second disk packs for torque transmission between the outer disk carrier and the respective inner disk carrier, wherein the first and second inner disk carriers are arranged rotatably relative to each other about the rotation axis, a central oil supply to supply the first and second disk packs with coolant, a first distributor channel being formed in the first inner disk carrier and comprising a feed opening through which the first distributor channel is fluidly connected to the central oil supply, a second distributor channel being formed in the second inner disk carrier and being fluidly connected to the central oil supply via the first distributor channel, and drain channels being formed in the inner disk carriers to conduct the coolant into the disk packs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Christoph Chatenay, Jan Haupt
  • Patent number: 11248666
    Abstract: A system is configured to control a clutch that connects a first rotating body and a second rotating body. The system includes a biasing portion, an actuator, an energization device, and a control unit. The biasing portion permanently biases the clutch in a connecting direction. The actuator drives the clutch in a disconnecting direction. The energization device energizes the actuator. The control unit controls the energization device. The energization device outputs a first current value to the actuator when a connection of the clutch is detected even if a condition for permitting a disconnection is satisfied. The energization device outputs a second current value lower than the first current value when the condition for permitting the disconnection is satisfied and a disconnection of the clutch is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventor: Takahiro Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 11207966
    Abstract: A power transmission device outputting torque from a first power source and a second power source to axles, is provided with: a first shaft coupled with the first power source; a differential configured to differentially distribute the torque to the axles; a first gear set configured to drivingly couple the first shaft with the differential; a second shaft coupled with the second power source; a second gear set drivingly coupled with the second shaft; a clutch configured to receive fluid pressure to drivingly and releasably couple the second gear set with the first gear set; and a pump driven by a third power source at least independent of the first power source and the clutch to generate the fluid pressure, the pump being disposed separate from the clutch and in fluid connection with the clutch to supply the fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Masashi Aikawa, Takayuki Matsumoto, Atsushi Kawano, Son Duy Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11193561
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a motor vehicle includes a housing having a transmission housing chamber, a reservoir, and a clutch housing chamber. At least one of the transmission housing chamber or the clutch housing chamber are fluidically connected to the reservoir. A transmission is disposed in the transmission housing chamber. A clutch is disposed in the clutch housing chamber. The clutch is drivingly connected to the transmission. An actuator has an actuating element engaged with the clutch. The clutch is moveable by the actuating element between a disengaged position and an engaged position. A valve is operatively connected to the actuating element of the actuator to allow lubricant flow from the reservoir to at least one of the transmission housing chamber and the clutch housing chamber when the clutch is in the engaged position and to prevent lubricant flow from the reservoir when the clutch is in the disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Jan Haupt, Theodor Gassmann, Maximilian Werkhausen
  • Patent number: 11174927
    Abstract: An electromotive drive assembly comprises a housing arrangement with a first and second housing element between which an intermediate plate is arranged; a drive unit comprising a drive shaft which is rotatably drivable about a first axis of rotation; a transmission arrangement with an intermediate shaft which extends through an opening of the intermediate plate and is rotatably drivable by the drive shaft, and with a power split unit which is drivingly connected to the intermediate shaft and is rotatably supported about a third axis of rotation coaxial with the first axis of rotation by a first bearing in the intermediate plate and a second bearing in the second housing element; and a clutch arrangement by which the power path between the drive unit and the power split unit can be selectively connected and disconnected, wherein the opening comprises a clutch receptacle on which at least one element of the controllable clutch arrangement is axially supported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Simon Broicher, Mark Schmidt, Ervin Szilagyi, Damian Dudek
  • Patent number: 11174928
    Abstract: A differential device is provided with: an input member; a gear set with output gears to transmit torque from the input member to the output gears while allowing differential motion therebetween; a first clutch for limiting the differential motion; a first pressure pressing on the first clutch; a first cam mechanism for pressing the first pressure plate toward the first clutch; a second clutch, when connected, drivingly connecting the output gears with the input member; a second pressure plate for engaging the second clutch; and a rotatable driver disk including a pressing member so coupled with the cam mechanism as to, from a first position to a second position, rotate the first cam mechanism together and to, from the second position to a third position, allow the first cam mechanism to create rotational difference relative to the pressing member, thereby engaging the second clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventor: Hiromichi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 11149839
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, an automotive driveline unit includes a main housing having an interior and a first reservoir in the interior arranged to collect lubricant, the main housing also having a feed passage that is open to the first reservoir, a gear located within the interior and having a periphery arranged in the first reservoir so that rotation of the gear causes the gear to engage and displace some of the lubricant from the first reservoir, and a second housing carried by the main housing. A second reservoir is defined between the main housing and the second housing, the second reservoir is communicated with the first reservoir via the feed passage and includes multiple, spaced apart outlets through which lubricant exits the second reservoir at different locations to provide lubricant to different areas of the interior of the main housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Anders Jansson, Brent M. Peura, Robert Pettersson, Daniel Lindberg