Patents Examined by Erin D Bishop
  • Patent number: 10023171
    Abstract: A power transmission device includes: an engine; a rotary machine; and an oil pump connected to each of a rotary shaft of the engine and a rotary shaft of the rotary machine through a one-way clutch. The power transmission device is configured to allow the rotary machine to rotate at a rotational speed higher than the rotational speed corresponding to a speed of the engine and lower than the rotational speed corresponding to an idling speed of the engine at the time of startup of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichi Okuda, Atsushi Tabata, Tooru Matsubara, Kenta Kumazaki, Yasuhiro Hiasa, Takeshi Kitahata, Tatsuya Imamura, Masafumi Yamamoto, Keita Imai, Keisuke Oomuro
  • Patent number: 10018266
    Abstract: Since an oil level of oil in a first space housing a transmission mechanism is lower than an oil level of the oil in a second space housing a differential gear, not only is it possible to lubricate a drive pinion and a ring gear housed in the second space with a sufficient amount of oil while cutting the total amount of oil compared with a case in which the oil levels of the first space and the second space are both high, but it is also possible to reduce the resistance of oil to stirring in the second space by discharging excess oil building up in the second space to the first space via a second oil passage formed along an axial center of a pinion shaft, and to prevent the oil level of the first space from decreasing excessively, thus avoiding aeration of an oil pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akio Muto, Yoshiaki Shutou
  • Patent number: 10012293
    Abstract: A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle is disclosed. The planetary gear train provides ten forward speed stages and one reverse speed stage by combining four planetary gear sets with seven control elements. The planetary gear train includes an input shaft, an output shaft, four planetary gear sets, eight shafts interconnecting rotation elements of the four planetary gear sets, four clutches, and three brakes for controlling operation of the planetary gear train. The planetary gear train is configured to have a gear ratio span greater than 10.0 while securing linearity of step ratios of shift stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Jin Ho Kim, Jinseok Kim, Jae Chang Kook, Dong Hwan Hwang, Seong Wook Hwang, Woo Jin Chang, Tae Whan Kim, Seongwook Ji, Chon Ok Kim, Wonmin Cho, Hyun Sik Kwon, Jong Sool Park, Kyeong Hun Lee, Jong Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 10011261
    Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling a hybrid vehicle having a planetary gear train including a first gear coupled to a first rotating electrical machine, a carrier coupled to an input shaft having an ejecting hole, the input shaft being coupled to an engine shaft of an engine via a torque limiting mechanism which allows the input shaft to skid against the engine shaft depending on a variation of torque between the input shaft and the engine shaft, and a second gear coupled to a drive shaft which is coupled to a second rotating electrical machine, and a rotation limiting mechanism which prevents the engine shaft from rotating in another direction, drives the first rotating electrical machine to output torque for rotating the input shaft in the another direction when the ejecting hole with the engine stopped does not extend in a predetermined direction in which the ejecting hole can eject oil to a mechanism portion of the planetary gear train which locates vertically above the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Kawai, Yasuhiro Oshiumi, Hideaki Komada, Yosuke Suzuki, Hirotatsu Kitabatake
  • Patent number: 10012292
    Abstract: A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include an input shaft for receiving an engine torque, an output shaft for outputting a shifted torque, a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, a third planetary gear set, a fourth planetary gear set, six control elements, a first connecting member directly connected with a transmission housing, a second connecting member selectively connectable with the transmission housing, a third connecting member selectively connectable with the input shaft, a fourth connecting member directly connected with the input shaft, a fifth connecting member selectively connectable with the transmission housing, a sixth connecting member selectively connectable with the input shaft, and selectively connectable with the transmission housing, a seventh connecting member directly connected with the output shaft, and an eighth connecting member selectively connectable with the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Wonmin Cho, Seong Wook Hwang, Hyun Sik Kwon, Jae Chang Kook, Seongwook Ji
  • Patent number: 10005351
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain for a vehicle includes: a planetary gear system including coaxial double pinions each having a first pinion and a second pinion that have different diameters and are provided to rotate coaxially; a carrier carrying the coaxial double pinions; and four rotation elements through which power is input and output. The hybrid powertrain further includes an engine, a first motor generator, a second motor generator, and an output shaft that are respectively connected to the four rotation elements of the planetary gear system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Kyung Shin Lee
  • Patent number: 10006543
    Abstract: A method where the spin factor is looked up in a table; the slip factor is measured and the clamping pressure is adjusted to achieve a slip/spin ratio provided in a desired range is described herein. According to another aspect, an active mechanical clamping mechanism using a longitudinally movable contact point is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Transmission CVTCORP Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Beaudoin, Paul Okulov, Alexandre Blouin, Christian McMahon, David Gauthier Roy, Francois Messier, Jean-Robert Desmeules, Kenneth Huston, Mathieu Guertin, Patrick Cyr Gagné, Patrick Raymond
  • Patent number: 10006439
    Abstract: An energy production plant has a drive train including a differential gear (14) with three drive and power take-off assemblies, a first drive assembly being connected to a drive shaft, a power take-off assembly being connected to a generator (13) and a second drive assembly being connected to a differential drive assembly (16). The differential gear (14) is a planetary gear. Both an emergency brake (4) and a service brake (20) are located in the drive train. In the event of a power failure, grid fault or an emergency shutdown, the service brake (20) is activated such that the torque acting on the rotor (1) supplied by the drive train remains substantially constant for a period of at least 0.5 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventor: Gerald Hehenberger
  • Patent number: 10006532
    Abstract: In a differential device, side gears include: shaft portions; and intermediate wall portions each formed in a flat ring plate shape orthogonal to an axis of output shafts and integrally connecting between the shaft portions and toothing portions separated outward from the shaft portions in a radial direction of an input member, respectively. At least part of each intermediate wall portion is formed as a thin portion having an outside surface retreating axially inward from a backside of the tooting portion. A side wall portion of a cover portion integrally includes an outer-periphery-side side wall portion having an inside surface facing the backside of the toothing portion, and an inner-periphery-side side wall portion having an inside surface facing a backside of the intermediate wall portion. At least part of the inner-periphery-side side wall portion is formed thicker than the outer-periphery-side side wall portion and protrudes toward the thin portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Mori, Naoya Nishimura
  • Patent number: 9995368
    Abstract: A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include an input shaft from an engine, an output shaft, and first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets each including three rotation elements. The gear train also includes eight shafts for selectively connecting the planetary gear sets and the input and output shafts in various configurations to achieve at least ten forward speeds and at least four reverse speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jae Chang Kook, Seongwook Ji, Woo Jin Chang, Wonmin Cho, Hyun Sik Kwon, Seong Wook Hwang, Ki Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 9982609
    Abstract: A method controls an internal combustion engine that has a drive output shaft connected to an input shaft of a transmission. The internal combustion engine, the transmission and a drive wheel are encompassed by a drivetrain for the drive of a motor vehicle. The method includes determining a rotational acceleration of the input shaft and determining an input torque at the input shaft of the transmission based on a product of the rotational acceleration and a speed reduction ratio-dependent moment of inertia of the drivetrain in a section between the input shaft and the drive wheel. A combustion torque of the internal combustion engine is controlled such that the input torque adheres to a predetermined maximum input torque at the input shaft of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: DR. ING. H. C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Peter Baur, Moritz Martiny
  • Patent number: 9981666
    Abstract: A controller for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an engine, a rotary machine, at least one driving wheel, a first clutch disposed between a power transmission member and the rotary machine, the power transmission member being disposed between the engine and the driving wheel, the first clutch being configured to be switched to an engaged state or a disengaged state, and a second clutch disposed in parallel with the first clutch, the second clutch being a one-way clutch. The controller includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to control at least one of the rotary machine or the first clutch so as to reduce inertia of the power transmission member based on a torsional load acting on the power transmission member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohito Ono, Takahito Endo, Yuji Iwase
  • Patent number: 9975557
    Abstract: A method of controlling an electric vehicle transmission includes: a torque-securing step of securing a predetermined spare torque to be generated by a motor in accordance with a current motor torque when a controller determines that there is a need for downshift from an upper gear step to a lower gear step; a slip-controlling step of generating a friction force through a servo clutch applying a friction force between an input shaft and a servo driving gear of a pair of servo gears; a shifting-to-neutral step of shifting to a neutral gear by disengaging a synchronizer for the upper gear step; a motor-synchronizing step of synchronizing a rotational speed of the motor with a desired speed of a lower gear step using the spare torque of the motor secured in the torque-securing step; a gear-engaging step of engaging a synchronizer for the lower gear step; and a clutch-disengaging step of finishing shifting by disengaging the servo clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, RESEARCH & BUSINESS FOUNDATION SUNGKYUNKWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jong Yun Park, Kyung Ha Kim, Jae Young Choi, Yeon Ho Kim, Sung Wha Hong
  • Patent number: 9975553
    Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a first frictional engagement element (a low clutch 40), a second frictional engagement element (an L/R brake 60), two hydraulic chambers (a gap adjustment chamber 64 and a pressure chamber 65) provided in the second frictional engagement element, a first hydraulic pressure generator 101 (an electric pump 101) generating a hydraulic pressure during an automatic stop of the engine, and a control unit (a control unit 200) controlling the hydraulic pressure in the first and second frictional engagement elements. The control unit supplies the hydraulic pressure generated by the first hydraulic pressure generator to the first frictional engagement element and one of the two hydraulic chambers of the second frictional engagement element when the automatic transmission is in the non-traveling range and the engine has been automatically stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koshiro Saji, Shinya Kamada, Shotaro Nagai
  • Patent number: 9970511
    Abstract: A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle is provided that realizes at least ten forward speeds to improve power delivery performance and fuel consumption due to multi-stages. In particular, the planetary gear train includes an input shaft, an output shaft, four planetary gear sets respectively having three rotational elements, and six control elements for selectively interconnecting the rotational elements and a transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Seongwook Ji, Seong Wook Hwang, Hyun Sik Kwon, Wonmin Cho, Jae Chang Kook
  • Patent number: 9964195
    Abstract: A limited-slip driveline apparatus including a first driveline component that is rotatable relative to a second driveline component. The driveline apparatus also includes a clutch. The driveline apparatus further includes an actuation arrangement for actuating the clutch. The actuation arrangement includes a hydraulic pump that pumps hydraulic fluid through a hydraulic circuit when relative rotation exists between the first and second driveline components. The hydraulic pressure generated by the hydraulic pump within the hydraulic circuit is used to actuate the clutch. The actuation arrangement also includes a flow regulating valve for regulating a hydraulic fluid flow rate through the hydraulic circuit. The flow regulating valve is configured to prevent the hydraulic fluid flow rate from exceeding a set maximum flow rate regardless of a magnitude of the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Andrew N. Edler
  • Patent number: 9958055
    Abstract: An automatic transmission (1) includes first, second, and third planetary gear sets (10, 20, 30) and a lubricant feed passage (L2). The first and second planetary gear sets (10, 20) form a two-stage planetary gear set (40). The third planetary gear set (30) is adjacent to the two-stage planetary gear set on one axial side of the automatic transmission. The lubricant feed passage (L2) feeds a lubricant to a bearing (25) of the second planetary gear set located on an outer periphery of the two-stage planetary gear set (40). The lubricant feed passage feeds the lubricant from a first inlet (37e) to the bearing via a first oil passage (37f) and oil passages (26a, 26b, 26c) in a pinion shaft. The first inlet (37e) is formed on a side of a carrier body (37) opposite to the two-stage planetary gear set and on an inner periphery of the automatic transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Iwasaki, Shinya Kamada
  • Patent number: 9950767
    Abstract: A bicycle shifter is provided as part of a bicycle electric system. The bicycle shifter basically includes a transmission cable winding element, an operating unit and a detection device. The operating unit operatively coupled to the transmission cable winding element. The detection device is arranged to detect a movement of the operating unit. The detection device outputs a signal according to the movement of the operating unit with respect to the winding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ichida, Noriaki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9951846
    Abstract: A transmission includes a drive shaft, an output shaft, a housing, and a first through third planetary gear sets. Six shift elements include a first brake, a second brake, and first through fourth clutches. The shift elements are selectively actuated, by which ten forward gears and one reverse gear can be. Each planetary gear set features at least one sun gear, one planetary gear, one planetary carrier and one ring gear. The drive shaft and the output shaft are arranged in a manner axially offset to each other. The drive shaft is connectable to the sun gear of the third planetary gear set and the second brake through the first clutch, and is connectable to the planetary carrier of the third planetary gear set through the second clutch. The planetary carrier of the third planetary gear set is connected to the first brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Christian Sibla, Wolfgang Rieger
  • Patent number: 9951848
    Abstract: A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, a third planetary gear set, a fourth planetary gear set, an input shaft mounted with the first, second, and third planetary gear sets at an external circumference of the input shaft, an output shaft disposed in parallel with the input shaft and mounted with the fourth planetary gear set on external circumference of the output shaft, a first shaft, a second shaft directly connected with the input shaft, a third shaft, a fourth shaft gear-meshed with the output shaft, a fifth shaft, a sixth shaft, a seventh shaft, an eighth shaft, a ninth shaft directly connected with the output shaft, a tenth shaft, and transfer gears, each gear-meshed with at least one of the shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Kyeong Hun Lee, Jong Soo Kim, Jong Sool Park, Dong Hwan Hwang