Patents Examined by David J Hlavka
-
Patent number: 11325458Abstract: A transmission (G) for a motor vehicle includes a housing (GG), a gear set (RS) arranged within the housing (GG), an electric machine (EM), and a power electronics module (LE). The power electronics module (LE) includes a carrier element (S), a DC voltage terminal (DC), an inverter (INV), and an AC voltage terminal (AC). The housing (GG) includes, on an outer wall (GGA), a region (GGE) for accommodating the power electronics module (LE), which is closable with the carrier element (S) of the power electronics module (LE). The region (GGE) of the housing (GG) and an inner side (SI) of the carrier element (S) form a dry space (TR) for accommodating the inverter (INV), which is attached to the carrier element (S). The region (GGE) of the housing (GG) at least partially separates the gear set (RS) from the dry space (TR).Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2018Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Linus Eschenbeck, Hermann Thurn, Matthias Held
-
Patent number: 11325585Abstract: A clutch control method for a hybrid vehicle with a DCT is provided. The method includes determining an energy-saving possible period based on a selection state of shifting ranges, operation states of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal, and the gradient of a road on which the vehicle is driven. An operation current is set for maintaining a clutch, which is configured to engage the first gear, engaged as 0 A in response to determining that a current state of the vehicle is in the energy-saving possible period.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2019Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Gi Young Kwon, Kyung Hun Hwang, Kyung Taek Lee, Hoon Han, Hyun Woo Lim, Dong Jun Shin
-
Patent number: 11320025Abstract: A planetary gear module for a swing reducer of a construction machine is provided. The planetary gear module can fit between first and second adjacent planetary gear modules. The planetary gear module comprises a planetary gear stage and a stage support for supporting the planetary gear stage, the stage support comprises an input support interface for stacking the first adjacent planetary gear module onto the planetary gear module and an output support interface for stacking the planetary gear module onto the second adjacent planetary gear module, the planetary gear stage comprises an input gear interface for operatively connecting the planetary gear module to the first adjacent planetary gear module and an output gear interface for operatively connecting the planetary gear module to the second adjacent planetary gear module. The input and output support interfaces as well as the input and output gear interfaces are configured to match to each other.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2019Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Guangxi LiuGong Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventors: Qin Ye, Qilin Niu, Zaiyi Lu, Wanbin Yan, Renke Jiang, Tianming Shao, Edward Wagner
-
Patent number: 11319999Abstract: An assembly for the selective coupling of two coaxially arranged shafts, comprising a first shaft and a second shaft arranged coaxially, a selector unit for selectively coupling the first shaft to the second shaft and including an electric motor, a selector fork, and a sliding sleeve connected to the selector fork to allow an adjusting action. The first shaft has a first external tooth system, at least in some section or sections, and the second shaft has a second external tooth system, at least in some section or sections. The first external tooth system is in engagement with an internal tooth system of the sliding sleeve and the second external tooth system can be brought into engagement with the internal tooth system of the sliding sleeve. A first tooth system formed on an output shaft of the electric motor is in engagement with a second tooth system of a gear segment, wherein the gear segment is arranged in a fixed manner on the selector fork.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2020Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN GMBH & CO KGInventors: Stefan Eitzinger, Helmut Schlatzer
-
Patent number: 11320046Abstract: A power transmission apparatus includes a shift drum, a clutch, a clutch lifter, and a transmission body. The shift drum makes a dowel be extracted/inserted between a shifter and a shift gear. The clutch has first friction plates and second friction plates. The first friction plates rotate around a main shaft by receiving power from a crankshaft. The second friction plates are disposed alternately with the first friction plates and are relatively non-rotatably supported by the main shaft. The clutch lifter is displaced between a connection position at which power is transmitted by the clutch and a disconnection position at which the transmission of the power is disconnected. The transmission body transmits a driving force to the shift drum while the clutch lifter moves from the connection position to the disconnection position, in accordance with rotation of a shift spindle that rotates in accordance with a driving force.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2020Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Dai Arai, Toshimasa Mitsubori, Hayato Yoshida, Yohei Endo
-
Patent number: 11313420Abstract: A control system in a four-wheel-drive motor vehicle for the distribution of drive forces at least from a drive of the motor vehicle to wheels of the first and second axles of the motor vehicle, at least including: a distribution device for distributing the drive forces to the first and second axles; rotation rate sensors for detecting the rotation rate of the two axles and/or the wheels of the motor vehicle, a central control device that is connected to a distribution controller and the sensors and a vehicle communication system, wherein the distribution controller is attached to the distribution unit and performs control both to a setpoint torque and to a setpoint rotation rate, and thus—in a drive-dependent and switchable manner—determines a distribution ratio of the drive forces to be distributed to the first and second axles on the basis of the ratio between the torque and the setpoint torque or between the setpoint rotation rate and the setpoint rotation rate.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2018Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN GMBH & CO KGInventors: Sascha Germer, Georg Gottsberger
-
Patent number: 11305581Abstract: The present specification discloses a drive shaft locking device, a power-driven system, and a vehicle. The drive shaft locking device comprises a planetary gear mechanism comprising a sun gear, a planetary gear, a planetary carrier, and a gear ring. A first drive shaft is connected with one of the sun gear, the planetary carrier, and the gear ring, and a second drive shaft is connected with another one of the sun gear, the planetary carrier, and the gear ring. A power joint device comprises a first joint part and a second joint part. The first drive shaft and the first joint part synchronously rotate, and the second drive shaft and the second joint part synchronously rotate. A joint part drive comprises a drive part to drive a drive needle for joining the second joint part with the first joint part along the axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2017Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Inventors: Heping Ling, Zhen Zhai, Changan Huang, Yongmeng Luo
-
Patent number: 11300200Abstract: A hydraulic control unit comprising a central accumulator, a flow path connected to the accumulator, a reservoir sharing a fluid space with the accumulator, a pump, and a controllable valve. The flow path is integrally formed to comprise a first flow path and a second flow path. The pump is connected to the accumulator via the first flow path on a first side of the accumulator. The pump is further connected to the reservoir via an inlet flow path on the first side of the accumulator. The controllable valve is connected to the accumulator via the second flow path on a second side of the accumulator.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2019Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Matthew G Fox, Jeffrey A Oesch
-
Patent number: 11300164Abstract: A control device includes: an engagement mechanism having a first engagement element and a second engagement element; and an actuator that generates a thrust that brings the first engagement element and the second engagement element close to each other when the engagement mechanism is engaged. The control device performs engagement with the thrust of the actuator when a differential rotation speed of the engagement mechanism is less than a predetermined value. In the control device, a parameter indicating an operating state of the actuator is detected, a target differential rotation speed is calculated in accordance with a value of the detected parameter, and the differential rotation speed is controlled to the calculated target differential rotation speed.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2021Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yoichiro Isami
-
Patent number: 11292331Abstract: A drive train unit for a hybrid vehicle includes an input shaft arranged for rotationally fixed attachment to an output of a transmission, an output shaft, an electric machine with a rotor, a clutch, and an actuating unit operatively connected to the clutch. The actuating unit has an actuator and an actuating bearing, displaceable by the actuator. The clutch may be a separating clutch operatively inserted between the rotor and the input shaft, or a friction clutch operatively inserted between the input shaft and the output shaft. The clutch may be a self-intensifying clutch with a leaf spring adjusted at a set angle relative to a reference plane oriented perpendicular to an axis of rotation such that, in a driving direction of a first clutch component, a first friction element is applied to a second friction element with an additional axial force.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2019Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Loyal George MacMillian, Götz Rathke
-
Patent number: 11293545Abstract: A hydraulic system for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, with which hydraulic cylinders of at least one clutch, and of gear selectors can be actuated, which hydraulic system includes a pressure accumulator for providing an accumulator pressure in the hydraulic system. In at least one clutch path leading from the pressure accumulator to the clutch hydraulic cylinder, a clutch valve, which can be operated by an electronic control unit, and with which a hydraulic pressure applied to the clutch hydraulic cylinder can be adjusted, and a pressure sensor, with which the hydraulic pressure applied to the clutch hydraulic cylinder can be detected, are arranged, and having a charging hydraulic pump, which delivers hydraulic fluid into the hydraulic system in a charging process to increase the actual accumulator pressure.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2017Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: AUDI AGInventor: Mathias Weinhardt
-
Patent number: 11285960Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle that includes a driveline disconnect clutch is described. In one example, the method includes adjusting a pressure of the driveline disconnect clutch as a function of an engine pull-up torque minus a driver demand torque when the pressure of the driveline disconnect clutch is between a torque stroke pressure and a hydraulic stroke pressure.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Corey James Blue, Bradley Dean Riedle, Andrew E. Burt, Joseph F. Kucharski
-
Patent number: 11287002Abstract: An electric brake actuator includes a housing, a three-stage planetary gear mechanism provided in the housing, the planetary gear mechanism having a first stage, a second stage, and a third stage that are sequentially meshed from one end to the other end of the planetary gear mechanism, and each stage of planetary gear mechanism comprising at least one planet gear, and a planet carrier supporting the planet gear; a motor provided in the housing; and at least one gear connected between the planetary gear mechanism and the motor, the at least one gear being arranged the motor to drive the planetary gear mechanism. The at least one planet gear of the first stage is made of a first material that is different from a second material of which the planet gear of the second stage or the planet gear of the third stage is made.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: HYO SEONG AMERICA CORPORATIONInventors: Seung Yuel Kong, Changho Lee
-
Patent number: 11279228Abstract: An axle disconnect apparatus having a cam cylinder including a ramp disposed in a radially outer surface thereof. A first clutch element disposed at least partially inside the cam cylinder and an intermediate shaft disposed at least partially within the first clutch element. The intermediate shaft includes a splined portion in constant mesh with the first clutch element. A half shaft may be disposed coaxially with the intermediate shaft, and a second clutch element may be coupled with the half shaft. The first clutch element selectively engages the second clutch element. The axle disconnect apparatus further comprises a latching mechanism whereby the cam cylinder maintains an axial position. The latching mechanism including a radial depression in the cam cylinder ramp, and a cam follower selectively disposed at least partially in the radial depression.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2018Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLCInventor: Peter A. Beesley
-
Patent number: 11279338Abstract: A control device for a hybrid vehicle includes an engine operating point control unit that shifts an engine operating point to an engine operating point on an optimal fuel-efficiency operating line outside a predetermined noise generation region in which combustion sounds of an engine become noise when the engine operating point is in the noise generation region. Accordingly, when the engine operating point is in the noise generation region, the engine operating point control unit shifts the engine operating point to an engine operating point on the optimal fuel-efficiency operating line outside the noise generation region. As a result, since the engine operating point is not separated from the optimal fuel-efficiency operating line even when the engine operating point departs from the noise generation region, it is possible to curb a decrease in fuel efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2020Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tooru Matsubara, Atsushi Tabata, Koichi Okuda, Yasuhiro Hiasa, Takashi Kohno
-
Patent number: 11280377Abstract: A transmission case houses a plurality of coupling elements and a plurality of gears therein. Each of the plurality of coupling elements may be controllable by at least one of a plurality of actuators and at least one of a plurality of struts. Actuator pads and strut pockets are formed into opposing sides of at least one side wall of the transmission case. The side wall is strong enough to receive the forces created by the strut engaging the coupling elements, while eliminating the need for an extra coupling member that otherwise extends between the transmission housing side wall and the notch plate.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2021Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Sigma Powertrain, Inc.Inventor: John W. Kimes
-
Patent number: 11279227Abstract: A rotatable drive axle assembly for an electric vehicle comprises a rotatable vehicle drive axle configured to be disposed along a transverse axis of an electric vehicle and having an axle end that is configured for attachment to a drive wheel. The rotatable drive axle assembly also comprises a selectively movable differential configured to be disposed on the rotatable vehicle drive axle and configured to operatively couple motive power of a selectively movable electric propulsion motor comprising a rotatable motor shaft rotatable about a motor axis to the rotatable vehicle drive axle and the drive wheel, the selectively movable electric propulsion motor and the motor axis configured to be oriented in a substantially vertical direction and movable with reference to the rotatable vehicle drive axle.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2019Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Geoffrey David Gaither, Robert C. MacArthur, Justin J. Chow
-
Patent number: 11273708Abstract: The present invention relates to a transfer gearbox having an input shaft, a first output shaft, a second output shaft, a friction clutch, by means of which, in a manner which is dependent on its engagement state, a variable proportion of a drive torque which is transmitted from the input shaft to the first output shaft can be transmitted to the second output shaft, and a rotationally driven actuator unit for controlling the engagement state of the friction clutch. Furthermore, the transfer gearbox has an electromagnetically actuable latch for locking the actuator unit as required.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2018Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN GMBH & CO KGInventors: Florian Bruhn, Martin Stocker
-
Patent number: 11268580Abstract: The invention relates to an electrically driven clutch actuators (1) for actuating the clutch of a transmission of a vehicle. An actuator comprises a spindle nut (11) on a spindle (9) and a pressure piece (13) displaceable relative to the spindle nut (11) and coupled to the spindle nut by a biasing spring (15). By rotation of the threaded spindle under a driving force of an electric motor (5), the spindle nut (11) compresses the biasing spring (15) and displaces the pressure piece (13) to disengage the clutch. A latching mechanism (16) is configured to limit displacement of the spindle nut away from the pressure piece under the force of the expanding biasing spring when the driving force is reduced below a predetermined level. Further, a control unit is described that reduces the driving force in response to a trigger condition to reduce power consumption in the clutch disengaged state.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2018Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: KA Group AGInventor: Jimmy Engman
-
Patent number: 11268578Abstract: A slip clutch includes an axis of rotation, an input side, an output side, and a pressable friction package for transmitting a predetermined maximum torque between the input side and the output side. The pressable friction package includes a lubricated friction lining with a predetermined coefficient of friction, and an overload spring for applying an axial clamping force to the pressable friction package.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2018Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Laurent Theriot, Hartmut Mende