Patents Examined by David Luo
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Patent number: 12043480Abstract: Various embodiments of a trash can assembly (e.g., a receptacle configured to receive refuse, recyclable materials, or otherwise), and related methods, are provided. Some embodiments of the trash can assembly include a body component and a lid configured to move between an open position and a closed position. In some variants, the lid can be moved between the open and closed positions by a power operated driving mechanism, such as a motor and/or other drivetrain components. In certain embodiments, the trash can assembly includes a clutch mechanism to facilitate manual operation of the lid while inhibiting or preventing damage to the motor and/or other drivetrain components.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2024Date of Patent: July 23, 2024Assignee: simplehuman, LLCInventors: Frank Yang, David Wolbert, Joseph Sandor, Kenneth Yen, Orlando Cardenas, Michael Basha, Christopher Fruhauf
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Patent number: 12038758Abstract: A robotic work tool system (200) for avoiding trails from a robotic work tool (100) in a transit zone (300) in which the robotic work tool (100) is allowed to travel from a start point (320) to a goal point (330) along a travel path (310). The system (200) comprises at least one memory (120,220) configured to store information about the transit zone (300), at least one robotic work tool (100) configured to travel along the travel path (310) and at least one controller (110,210) for controlling operation of the robotic work tool (100). The controller (110,210) is configured to receive, from the memory (120,220), information about the transit zone (300) and generate, based on the transit zone (300), the travel path (310) for the robotic work tool (100) from the start point (320) to the goal point (330). The generated travel path (310) is configured to differ from previously generated travel paths.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2020Date of Patent: July 16, 2024Assignee: HUSQVARNA ABInventors: Tommy Glimberg, Stefan Grufman, Fredrik Kallström, Mattias Kamfors, Marcus Liljedahl, Björn Mannefred, Beppe Hellsin
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Patent number: 12040728Abstract: A circuit is configured to generate a first switching signal and a second switching signal. During a first portion of a first switching period, both the first switching signal and the second switching signal indicate to turn-on and turn-off. During a second portion of the first switching period, the first switching signal indicates to turn-on and the second switching signal indicates to turn-off. In response to a determination that a measurement time threshold exceeds the first switching period, the circuit is configured to generate a first adapted switching signal that extends the turn-on portion by a time value in the first switching period and to generate a second adapted switching signal that extends the turn-on time by the time value in a second switching period. The circuit is further configured to control switching circuitry using the first adapted switching signal and the second adapted switching signal to operate a motor.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2022Date of Patent: July 16, 2024Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Christian Bartl, Stefan Golisch, Michael Brückner, Sandro Purfürst
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Patent number: 12040726Abstract: Provided is a converter including: a primary-side switching unit to be connected to a battery; a secondary-side switching unit to be connected to a motor; a transformer provided between the primary-side switching unit and the secondary-side switching unit; and a controller configured to control at least the secondary-side switching unit so as to output a voltage that depends on an output waveform profile of a desired waveform to the motor.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2022Date of Patent: July 16, 2024Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Yoshinari Tsukada
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Patent number: 12032025Abstract: a permanent magnet synchronous motor diagnostic device includes: a negative-sequence current calculator that calculates a negative-sequence current, based on magnitudes of a plurality of phase currents flowing through a permanent magnet synchronous motor that rotates a load; and a deterioration diagnoser that diagnoses deterioration of a plain bearing supporting the permanent magnet synchronous motor, based on the negative-sequence current.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2020Date of Patent: July 9, 2024Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Kenta Yuasa, Kazunori Sakanobe, Mamoru Kamikura, Toshiyuki Kuriyama
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Patent number: 12031373Abstract: A door system includes a controller for controlling the door system. A user computer system transmits information to the controller over a wireless connection to modify operating parameters for controlling the operation of the door system. During installation of the door system sensors may be utilized to determine if the door system has been installed properly. The sensors may be used to identify if the door system is mounted level and plum, and to review the movement, vibration, speed, acceleration, force, or the like of the sensors, and thus, the components to which the sensors are operatively coupled in order to make adjustments to the door assembly. Furthermore, the operating parameters of the installed door system, may be cloned and provided to other door systems in order to quickly clone and distribute the operating parameters of one or more door systems to one or more other door systems.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2023Date of Patent: July 9, 2024Assignee: ASSA ABLOY Accessories and Door Controls Group, Inc.Inventors: Dustin Lawhon, Brian D. Hass, David M. Price, Lana Kirkpatrick, Kelli A. Harper, Henry B. Wallace
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Patent number: 12024935Abstract: A refrigerator, comprising an automatic door-opening/closing apparatus mounted on a refrigerator body for driving the opening and closing of a door. When opening the door, if a first obstacle detecting apparatus detects the presence of an obstacle in front of the door, then the automatic door opening/closing apparatus stops the opening of the door; when closing the door, if a second obstacle detection apparatus detects the presence of an obstacle behind the door, then the automatic door-opening/closing apparatus stops the closing of the door. This stops the movement of the door upon the discovery of an obstacle while opening or closing the door, thus preventing the door from being damaged by collision, and when the obstacle is a person, preventing physical injuries from being caused.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2020Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignees: QINGDAO HAIER REFRIGERATOR CO., LTD., HAIER SMART HOME CO., LTD.Inventors: Bin Hui, Ning Wang, Shidong Li, Zhijun Liu, Xiaobin Hu
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Patent number: 12027995Abstract: A power converter includes a rectangular casing that houses a semiconductor module, and bosses extending outward from three of four side walls of the casing excluding a rear side wall. The bosses include a first boss provided on a first side wall facing frontward, a second boss provided on a second side wall facing in a width direction of the mobile object orthogonal to an up-down direction and a front-rear direction, and a third boss provided on a third side wall opposite to the second side wall. The third boss is smaller in cross-sectional area than the second boss.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2022Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Seiichiro Nishimachi
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Patent number: 12028012Abstract: A method of operating a stepper motor for use in a dental tool machine for removing material from a dental blank, the method including: a step of adapting torque reserves of the stepper motor at operating points to net load moments respectively. The method includes a first step of predicting, through simulation, the net load moments beforehand; a second step of predicting, through simulation, the supply current to be supplied to the stepper motor for setting up the torque reserves that correspond to the predicted net load moments respectively; and a step of driving the stepper motor based on the predicted supply current.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2020Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignee: DENTSPLY SIRONA INC.Inventors: Hans-Christian Schneider, Daniel Trautmann
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Patent number: 12028011Abstract: A method and device for determining the position of a rotor in a brushless motor is provided. The method generally includes: injecting electrical signals into a stator of the brushless motor; measuring scattering parameters reflected back from the stator, wherein the scattering parameters are influenced by the near-field dynamics impaired by the motor; and comparing the measured scattering parameters to a predetermined data set of scattering parameters for known rotor positions to determine the position of the rotor. The method and device is also suitable for determining a condition of a motor or a generator.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2020Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignee: Brookhaven Science Associates, LLCInventor: Justine Elaine Haupt
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Patent number: 12027988Abstract: A power conversion apparatus includes: a reactor; a rectifier circuit that includes a first leg including switching elements connected in series and a second leg connected in parallel with the first leg, including switching elements connected in series; and a smoothing capacitor that smooths an output voltage of the rectifier circuit. The power conversion apparatus also includes an inverter that converts a direct-current voltage smoothed by the smoothing capacitor into a drive voltage for a motor and applies the drive voltage to the motor; a voltage detection unit that detects the direct-current voltage; and a control unit that controls operation of the rectifier circuit and the inverter. The control unit controls operations of the switching elements on the basis of an induced voltage induced in the motor and a detected value of the direct-current voltage.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2020Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Yohei Takigawa, Keiichiro Shizu, Tomohiro Kutsuki
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Patent number: 12017321Abstract: A power tool is provided including a housing defining a cavity therein, where the housing includes a motor case and a handle portion extending along a longitudinal axis of the housing from the motor case; an electric motor having a drive shaft and mounted within the motor case; a partitioning wall extending radially and separating the motor case portion from the non-motor case portion of the housing; and a bearing pocket with an open end facing the motor case portion formed in the partitioning wall and a main body extending away from the electric motor for receiving a rotor bearing. The handle portion includes two elongate walls extending from the partitioning wall, a circuit board supported by the two elongate walls and including a motor drive circuit, and two covers secured to the two elongate walls to cover the circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2023Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Zollie W. Privett, Jr., Craig A. Oktavec, David J. Smith, Matthew J. Velderman, Colin C. Crosby, Pradeep Pant, Kyle J. Christophersen, Daniel F. Nace, James H. Stiles, III, Floyd E. Moreland, IV
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Patent number: 12021444Abstract: A compact motor control system for selectively controlling power from a power source to a load includes a motor switching assembly having a solid state contactor with a plurality of solid state switches. The motor switching assembly also includes at least one direct current (DC) link coupled to the solid state contactor and redundant first and second inverters coupled to the at least one DC link. The motor switching assembly further includes a first relay coupled between the solid state contactor and an input of the inverter and a second relay coupled between the solid state contactor and an input of the second inverter. In addition, the motor control system includes a control system programmed to control the motor switching assembly to selectively supply power to the load from the power source.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2021Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Huaqiang Li, Joseph Paul Uphaus
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Patent number: 12015312Abstract: A motor controller includes a motor control part controlling a motor having a three-phase coil by a control signal, an inverter applying a drive voltage supplied from a power source to the three-phase coil based on an output signal from the motor control part, a drive voltage line supplying the drive voltage to the inverter, a common line electrically connected with a neutral point of the three-phase coil, an inductor electrically connected in series with the drive voltage line, a first capacitor between a portion between the inverter and the inductor in the drive voltage line and a ground, a second capacitor between a portion on an input side with respect to the first capacitor in the drive voltage line and the ground, and a third capacitor between the second capacitor and the ground. The common line is electrically connected between the second capacitor and the third capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2022Date of Patent: June 18, 2024Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATIONInventors: Satoshi Tanimura, Takashi Yamamoto
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Patent number: 12015365Abstract: An electric motor assembly comprising a housing containing a secondary power source, a motor driver, an electric motor, power sensors to sense faults in a primary power supply and the secondary power source, primary and secondary winding sensors configured to sense faults in a primary winding and a secondary winding of the electric motor, the motor driver comprising a primary controller to control the primary winding in a normal operation mode and a secondary motor controller operatively configured to control at least one of the primary winding and/or the secondary winding in a secondary operation mode, the secondary motor controller configured to drive the motor to a safe position using the secondary winding in the event of a sensed fault in the primary winding and to drive the motor to the safe position using the secondary power source in the event of a sensed fault in the primary power source.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2020Date of Patent: June 18, 2024Assignee: Moog Inc.Inventors: Ray Opie, Denis O'Sullivan, Michael J. Willers
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Patent number: 12009769Abstract: A motor system with an input for coupling to a motor control signal that, when presented in a predetermined state, indicates a motor receiving power should be disabled from rotating. The system also includes controller circuitry for providing a disabling signal to motor rotation, independent of processor software control signaling and the power, in response to the control signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2022Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Navaneeth Kumar Narayanasamy, Martin Staebler
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Patent number: 12003200Abstract: The present invention relates to a 4-phase switched reluctance motor which is configured as a 4-phase motor by coaxially arranging two 2-phase motor units, is capable of effectively driving forward and backward by calculating a switching angle at a time point earlier than the starting point of an inductance increasing period in forward and backward rotations, maximizes the initial driving torque, and minimizes vibration noise by not generating the biased force on a shaft.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2020Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Inventor: Young Chun Jeung
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Patent number: 11999056Abstract: A braking device for a drive device of a joint between two links of a robot arm including a brake activating device and a locking element, wherein the brake activating device is designed to bring the locking element into engagement with a rotor of the drive device as required in order to halt rotation of the rotor, the locking element being designed as a bolt and the braking element being designed as a braking star with webs which have a defined impact surface for the bolt.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2020Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: FRANKA EMIKA GMBHInventors: Tim Rokahr, Andreas Spenninger, Carles Calafell Garcia
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Patent number: 11994338Abstract: A control method for a drawer door of a refrigerator and the refrigerator. The refrigerator comprises a refrigerator body, a drawer door mounted in the refrigerator body in a front-back pushed and pulled mode, and a driving mechanism driving the drawer door to move forward and backward. The control method comprises: obtaining a door opening instruction or a door closing instruction; controlling the driving mechanism to drive the drawer door to move forward to open or move backward to close; detecting a resistance borne by the drawer door during the movement; determining whether the resistance is greater than a preset resistance threshold; and if yes, controlling the driving mechanism to stop running to enable the drawer door to stop moving.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2020Date of Patent: May 28, 2024Assignees: QINGDAO HAIER REFRIGERATOR CO., LTD., HAIER SMART HOME CO., LTD.Inventors: Bin Hui, Shidong Li, Zhijun Liu, Xiaobin Hu, Guoshuai Cao
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Patent number: 11996794Abstract: A motor control device controls a drive of a motor having a coil, and includes a drive circuit and a control unit. The drive circuit has a plurality of switching elements, and switches the energization of the coil. The control unit includes an energization control part and a current limit part. The energization control part accelerates and then decelerates the motor, and controls energization of the coil so that a rotation position of the motor stops at a target rotation position. The current limit part limits the current during a deceleration control.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2021Date of Patent: May 28, 2024Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Jun Yamada, Seiji Nakayama, Kouji Sakaguchi, Haruka Miyano