Patents Examined by Ernesto A Suarez
  • Patent number: 11780315
    Abstract: A transmission assembly for a hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and an electric machine, wherein a first drive torque of the internal combustion engine and a second drive torque of the electric machine are transferable to a drive shaft of the hybrid vehicle via the transmission assembly, wherein the transmission assembly comprises: a first transmission input shaft, via which the first drive torque 1 of the internal combustion engine is introduced into the transmission assembly; a second transmission input shaft, via which the second drive torque of the electric machine is introduced into the transmission assembly; the drive shaft; and at least a first planetary transmission including a first ring gear, a first planetary carrier and a first sun gear; wherein the first transmission input shaft is connected via the first planetary transmission to the second transmission input shaft and to the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Ltd.
    Inventor: Theodor Gassmann
  • Patent number: 11781602
    Abstract: A multi-plate clutch is specified, with an outer plate carrier, an inner plate carrier and a plate pack which consists of alternately arranged outer plates and inner plates and is arranged radially between the outer plate carrier and the inner plate carrier, wherein a first group of the outer plates is mounted on the outer plate carrier and/or a first group of the inner plates is mounted on the inner plate carrier with a larger circumferential backlash than the other outer plates or inner plates, respectively, which are mounted on their plate carrier with no or smaller circumferential backlash, wherein the outer and/or inner plates with larger circumferential backlash in each case directly adjoin at least one plate with no or smaller circumferential backlash. Furthermore, an electrically operated drive train and a method for producing a multi-plate clutch are specified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: HOERBIGER ANTRIEBSTECHNIK HOLDING GMBH
    Inventors: Ansgar Damm, Sami Özkan, Jürgen Binder
  • Patent number: 11773919
    Abstract: A disconnectable coupling device rotatable about an axis is provided with a first shaft having an end and a hub formed on the end, the hub including a flange extending radially from the end and a round wall projecting axially from the flange and defining a hollow; a second shaft aligned with the first shaft and opposed to the end of the first shaft, the second shaft having a drum overhanging the hub; a multi-plate clutch held between the hub and the drum to disconnectably connect the hub with the drum; a cup so fixed with the hub as to define a gutter around the first shaft; and one or more perforations axially passing through the flange to establish fluid communication between the gutter and the hollow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Lei Yang, Christopher M. Zagacki
  • Patent number: 11767914
    Abstract: In a device for locking a piston rod of a piston of an actuator, an armature rod of an electromagnet is axially movable counter to a preloading spring and includes two actuating contours. Latching mechanisms are operable to mechanically fix the piston. An axial distance between base points of the actuating contours is such that the piston is mechanically fixable by only one of the latching mechanisms in each case. Interlocking elements of both latching mechanisms are accommodated in an axially fixed manner in a sleeve, are radially displaceable, and are selectively engageable with the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Florian Weinl, Thomas Schwegler, Maik Wiesner, Dirk Leutheuser
  • Patent number: 11761524
    Abstract: An electronic locking differential that includes a movable electromagnet to selectively operate a dog clutch for locking a side gear to a carrier. The dog clutch includes a dog member having a plurality of legs that extend through leg apertures in the carrier. A cam mechanism is employed on the legs and the carrier to generate and apply a force to the dog member to maintain the dog member in an engaged position when torque is transmitted through the cam mechanism. The carrier is configured with an annular rib that surrounds a pocket. The annular rib has a frustoconical shape that matches that of a pole piece on the electromagnet. The electromagnet is received into the pocket when the electromagnet is operated and the dog member is in its engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph S. Balenda, II, Stephen C. Doud, Joseph C. P. Eickholt
  • Patent number: 11754159
    Abstract: An axle center transmission for transmitting a driving torque received from a drive device to two half shafts of an axle comprises a transmission gearing for transmitting a driving torque received at an input element and having at least two selectively switchable gear transmission ratios and a differential for distributing the transmitted driving torque to two output elements. The transmission gearing has a first gear formed as a planetary transmission having a first sun gear, a first planet carrier having planet gears, and a first annulus gear. The transmission gearing furthermore has a second gear formed as a planetary transmission having a second sun gear, a second planet carrier having planet gears, and a second annulus gear. The first sun gear forms said input element; the first planet carrier is stationary; and the second sun gear is couplable or coupled to the first annulus gear for a common rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: KESSLER & CO. GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Bauer
  • Patent number: 11752861
    Abstract: Methods and systems for an electric drive axle of a vehicle are provided. A gear train in an electric drive axle system includes, in one example, an input shaft configured to rotationally couple to an electric motor-generator and including a first gear and an intermediate shaft including a second gear rotationally coupled to the first gear and a third gear and a fourth gear each configured to rotationally couple to a separate gear on an output shaft. In this example, the second gear, the third gear, and the fourth gear have different sizes, the third gear includes an axial extension having at outer surface, and an interior surface of the second gear circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the outer surface of the axial extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventor: Eric M. Engerman
  • Patent number: 11752862
    Abstract: A dual-mode electric drive axle with torque parallel coupling and torque vectoring, including: a main motor, an auxiliary motor, a spur gear differential, a first half shaft, a second half shaft, a primary reducer, a secondary reducer, a dual-planetary gear set mechanism, a first clutch, a second clutch and a primary housing. The main motor and the auxiliary motor are respectively connected to input ends of the primary reducer and the secondary reducer. Output ends of the primary reducer and the secondary reducer are respectively connected to a housing of the spur gear differential and a gear ring of the dual-planetary gear set mechanism. A planet carrier of the dual-planetary gear set mechanism is connected to a sun gear through a first clutch, and a gear ring through a second clutch. A characteristic parameter of the dual-planetary gear set mechanism is 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Jilin University
    Inventors: Junnian Wang, Chunlin Zhang, Changyang Guan, Zhe Liu, Shoulin Gao
  • Patent number: 11754128
    Abstract: Provided are a joint component formed with fine recessed portions, a multiplate clutch device including the joint component, and a joint component manufacturing method. At the joint component, many fine recessed portions are formed at a joint surface joined to a joint object. The joint surface is formed in a circular ring shape along a peripheral direction of the base body, and is formed with a flatness of equal to or less than 0.15 mm. The fine recessed portions are formed at the joint surface such that adjacent ones of the fine recessed portions do not overlap with each other and a formation density per unit area at the joint surface is uniform. The fine recessed portions are formed as laser processing marks formed at the base body by irradiation with laser light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventors: Akihiro Yamashita, Kyohei Morimoto, Tatsuki Hosoda, Xingyu Ren
  • Patent number: 11746871
    Abstract: A method for mitigating torque steer in a vehicle having a steering axle with a limited slip differential and a pair of output members. The limited slip differential includes a pair of differential outputs and a clutch. The method includes: operating the limited slip differential with the clutch in the first condition; determining that the vehicle is in a state in which a torque steer condition is occurring or is likely to occur; and operating the clutch to reduce a torque differential between the differential outputs to mitigate the torque steer condition. A vehicle with a steering axle and a controller that is configured to operate a clutch in the steering axle to attenuate torque steer is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Weston, Jonathan Michael Graves, Andrew Monticello, Brent Clark
  • Patent number: 11746873
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a locking differential are provided. The locking differential system includes an electromagnetic solenoid actuator designed to induce locking and unlocking of the differential and a circuit board assembly designed to programmatically control the locking and unlocking functionality. The circuit board assembly includes a sensor and control circuity enclosed in a continuous sealed enclosure, the sensor extends down the face of a coil assembly in the solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Perry M. Paielli, Michael Z. Creech, Sagar B. Bangar
  • Patent number: 11746856
    Abstract: A shiftable planetary transmission (1) includes a planet carrier (2), a plurality of planet gears (3) rotatably arranged at the planet carrier (2), a sun gear (4), and a ring gear (5). The sun gear (4) and the ring gear (5) mesh with the planet gears (3). The planet carrier (2) includes at least one connecting element (6), which is axially displaceable therein. The at least one connecting element (6), on a first side of the planet carrier (2), is at least indirectly connected to an actuator (7) and, on a second side of the planet carrier (2), is at least indirectly connected to a first dog element (8). The first dog element (8) is displaceable, by an actuator actuation, between a first shift position and at least a second shift position due to an axial displacement of the at least one connecting element (6) in the planet carrier (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Fabian Kutter, Matthias Horn, Stefan Beck, Johannes Kaltenbach, Uwe Griesmeier, Thomas Martin, Peter Ziemer
  • Patent number: 11731500
    Abstract: A hybrid module includes a rotor carrier. The hybrid module further includes a rotor segment supported by the rotor carrier. The hybrid module further includes a torque converter having an impeller having an impeller shell fixed to the rotor carrier. The impeller shell and the rotor carrier define a housing therebetween. The torque converter further includes a turbine having a turbine shell in fluid communication with the impeller shell. The turbine is disposed within the housing. The hybrid module further includes a drive plate assembly disposed external to the housing. The drive plate assembly includes an inner drive plate fixed to the rotor carrier. The drive plate assembly further includes an outer drive plate fixed to the inner drive plate and configured to receive a torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Scott Angel, Drew Hilty, Alfredo Perez Mitre Jimenez, Brian Zaugg
  • Patent number: 11725718
    Abstract: A torque converter includes a front cover configured to receive a torque. The torque converter further includes an impeller having an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the front cover. The torque converter further includes a turbine in fluid communication with the impeller and including a turbine shell. The torque converter further includes a stator disposed axially between the impeller and the turbine. The torque converter further includes a one-way clutch disposed within the stator. The torque converter further includes a side plate axially disposed between the one-way clutch and the turbine shell. The side plate is configured to retain the one-way clutch within the stator. The turbine shell includes a post configured to axially constrain the side plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Long Souers
  • Patent number: 11725717
    Abstract: A torque converter includes a front cover arranged to receive a torque. The torque converter further includes a lock-up clutch engaged with the front cover and including a clutch plate. The torque converter further includes a damper assembly engageable with the lock-up clutch. The damper assembly includes a cover plate defining a spring retainer extending about an axis. The damper assembly further includes a spring disposed in the spring retainer. The damper assembly further includes a spring support plate fixed to the cover plate. The spring support plate includes inner tabs and outer tabs disposed radially outside of the inner tabs. The outer tabs are configured to radially constrain the spring in the spring retainer. The inner tabs are configured to position the clutch plate relative to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Alberto Jared Sanchez
  • Patent number: 11708884
    Abstract: An axle assembly having an input shaft, an output shaft, and an interaxle differential unit. The interaxle differential unit includes first and second side gears, a case, and a pinion gear that is rotatably disposed on a pinion pin. The case extends from the input shaft. The pinion pin extends from the case and is spaced apart from the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Avinash Ullagaddi, Aneesh N. Singaran, Harish C. Patel, Chandrakant Kotagi
  • Patent number: 11703103
    Abstract: A torque converter includes a front cover arranged to receive a torque and a lock-up clutch engaged with the front cover. The torque converter further includes a damper assembly engageable with the lock-up clutch. The damper assembly includes an inner spring assembly, an outer spring assembly arranged radially outside of the inner spring assembly, and a lower cover plate supporting the inner spring assembly. The lower cover plat includes a chamfer configured to retain the outer spring assembly in a spring window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Joshua Verdier
  • Patent number: 11697402
    Abstract: A diff-lock operation shaft 50 is supported by a case 11 in such a manner as to be rotatable around an axis P1 of the diff-lock operation shaft 50 and operates a diff-lock section 48 to a lock position A2 by being rotated, and a first coil spring 51 is wound around the outer surface of the diff-lock operation shaft 50 concentrically with the diff-lock operation shaft 50, and is linked at one end portion 51b to the diff-lock operation shaft 50 and at another end portion 51a to linking members 55 and 56. The first coil spring 51 is twisted around the axis P1 via the linking members 55 and 56 by the manual operation tool 58 being operated, and the diff-lock operation shaft 50 is rotated via the first coil spring 51.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Toshifumi Yasuda, Akihiro Takami
  • Patent number: 11692615
    Abstract: Methods and systems for an electric drive axle of a vehicle are provided. An electric drive axle system includes, in one example, a gear train configured to rotationally attach to an electric motor-generator. The gear train includes an output shaft rotationally coupled to a first planetary gear assembly axially offset from an input shaft rotationally coupled to the electric motor-generator, the first planetary gear assembly configured to removably couple to a differential arranged co-axial with an axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Eric M. Engerman, Mitchell R. Lawson
  • Patent number: 11692594
    Abstract: Provided are a wet friction plate and a wet multiplate clutch device including the wet friction plates capable of improving the performance for discharging lubricant oil adhering to surfaces of friction members. A wet friction plate includes oil grooves and friction members on a flat plate annular core metal. At a surface of a porous layer of the friction member, a friction slide surface and lubricant oil recessed portions are formed. The lubricant oil recessed portion has no sharp portion in a pointed shape, such as a corner portion, and is formed with a smooth continuous surface. The multiple lubricant oil recessed portions depressed in a recessed shape with respect to the friction slide surface are formed. In the porous layer, hollow portions are formed to have the same formation rate between a portion forming the friction slide surface and a portion forming the lubricant oil recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventors: Kazuya Uehara, Masatoshi Miyagawa, Nobuyuki Katayama