Patents Examined by Ernesto Suarez
  • Patent number: 11578766
    Abstract: A wet friction disc includes a lubrication groove and a plurality of lands defined by the lubrication groove. The lubrication groove has a plurality of circumferential groove portions that extends in a circumferential direction and has a predetermined groove width in a radial direction, and a plurality of intersecting groove portions that extends in directions intersecting the circumferential direction. At least some of the circumferential groove portions have an arc shape such that an end in the circumferential direction is located adjacent to one of the lands in the circumferential direction and that the groove width is entirely contained within a range in the radial direction spanned by that land.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshiki Takeuchi, Hiroshi Takuno, Kazuaki Kamimura, Takeshi Nakamura, Takahiro Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 11572938
    Abstract: Transmission system for a vehicle having an input arranged for connection to a drive source, and an output arranged for connection to a load. The transmission includes a transmission. The transmission includes first input shaft, a first output shaft connected to the output, and a first speed transforming gear connecting the first input shaft and the first output shaft, and a second input shaft, a second output shaft connected to the output, and a second speed transforming gear connecting the second input shaft and the second output shaft. The transmission includes a first coupling member, arranged for coupling the input to the first input shaft at a first speed ratio and a second coupling member, arranged for coupling the input to the second input shaft at a second speed ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Punch Powertrain PSA E-Transmissions N.V.
    Inventor: Roell Marie Van Druten
  • Patent number: 11560942
    Abstract: Torque converter arrangements and operating methods are provided herein. In one example, the torque converter includes a first attachment interface designed to rotationally couple to a prime mover and a second attachment interface designed to rotationally couple to a transmission. The torque converter further includes a lock-up clutch with an engagement spring embedded in an actuation piston, a plurality of separator plates supported by one or more guiding pins that extend through the plurality of separator plates and into a casing, and a plurality of friction plates interleaved with the plurality of separator plates, where the plurality of separator plates and friction plates are axially captured between the actuation piston and an end plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Belgium N.V.
    Inventors: Kurt Cattoor, Filip D. Schacht, Tommy Van Acker, Joachim Van Dingenen
  • Patent number: 11555537
    Abstract: A power transmission device including a planetary gear, a differential gear and a differential case. The planetary gear includes a carrier, and pinion gears supported by pinion shafts. The differential gear includes a pair of bevel gears supported by a bevel gear shaft, and side gears engaged with the bevel gears. The carrier defines pinion shaft insertion holes in which pinion shafts are respectively inserted. The differential case defines bevel gear shaft insertion holes in which the bevel gear shaft is inserted. A straight line that penetrates the bevel gear shaft insertion holes overlaps with the pinion shaft insertion holes in a circumferential direction, and the bevel gear shaft passes through a center of a circle that connects the pinion shaft insertion holes. When viewed along an axial direction, the pinion shafts do not overlap the side gears, with the side gears being arranged radially inwardly than the pinion shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventor: Toshikazu Oshidari
  • Patent number: 11542993
    Abstract: A freewheel for changing a transmission characteristic of a planetary transmission for a motor vehicle transmission. The freewheel has a first ring which has a first blocking contour, a second ring which is rotatable relative to the first ring and which has a second blocking contour, tiltable blocking bodies which can be caused to engage into the first blocking contour and into the second blocking contour, and a switching element for tilting the blocking bodies. The switching element, in a blocking position, clamps the blocking bodies immovably to the first blocking contour and to the second blocking contour, in a freewheel position, allows unidirectional freewheeling, and in an inactive position, holds the blocking bodies down on the first ring so as to be spaced apart from the second ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventor: Michael Brunner
  • Patent number: 11542992
    Abstract: A coupling and control assembly including a non-contact, linear inductive position sensor is provided. The assembly includes a coupling housing and a stator structure disposed within the coupling housing and including a stator housing. A translator structure is coupled to a coupling member of the assembly to rotate therewith about a rotational axis. The sensor is mounted on one of the housings. The translator structure includes a coupler element made of an electrically conductive material. The sensor is configured to create a magnetic field to induce eddy currents in the electrically conductive material. Movement of the coupler element changes a magnetic field caused by the eddy currents. The sensor provides a position feedback signal for vehicle transmission control. The signal is correlated with the linear position of the translator structure along the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan W. Essenmacher
  • Patent number: 11524564
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus for a hybrid vehicle of which a second motor shaft gear of a second motor-generator is disposed on one side of a second motor shaft disposed in parallel with the first motor shaft, includes a planetary gear set disposed on the first motor shaft and including one rotation element and the other rotation element are fixedly connected to the engine output shaft and the first motor shaft, respectively, and one remaining rotation element is engaged to the other rotation element, and the planetary gear set in which a drive gear is connected to the remaining rotation element through a one-way clutch, and an output shaft disposed in parallel between the engine output shaft and the second motor shaft, externally gear-engaged with each of the drive gear and the second motor shaft gear through a driven gear fixedly connected to one side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignees: Hyunda Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Seong Wook Hwang, Tae Whan Kim, Youngbae Ryu, Jong Hyo Park, Hyung-Min Kim, Juhyeon Park, Yongdal Choi, Jaewook Lee, Wonmin Cho
  • Patent number: 11493097
    Abstract: The invention discloses a lower pair arc stop-block overrunning clutch comprising an outer rotating element, an inner rotating element, a friction block assembly, a wedge assembly, a first propeller assembly, a first elastic element and a synchronized push-block assembly, wherein a plurality of friction blocks of the friction block assembly are connected end to end and arranged between a first rotating ring and a second rotating ring; an drive element drives the first propeller assembly to press the synchronized push-block assembly to achieve synchronization of the friction block assembly; the first propeller assembly strikes the friction block assembly and is relatively stationary to push the friction block assembly for generating reverse rotation relative to a driven element; the wedge assembly is wedged to generate a radial pressure on the friction block assembly so that the friction block assembly can achieve lower pair arc stop, thereby achieving the transfer of torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Xining Kejin Industrial Design Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Ming Lin, Baohua Huang
  • Patent number: 11486468
    Abstract: A gearwheel for a gear system for a planetary gear system of a chassis assistance system. The gearwheel is divided into at least a first spur gear and a second spur gear which are spaced apart from one another along a common rotational axis. The gearwheel has, in addition, an open spring ring with a first end, which is supported in a circumferential direction against the first spur gear, and a second end, which is supported in the direction opposite to the circumferential direction against the second spur gear in such manner that by rotating the spur gears, relative to one another about the common rotational axis, the spring ring can be stressed in order to exert a restoring torque on the spur gears. A recess is formed on at least one of the spur gears for holding part of the spring ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Rene Schwarze, Christian Stephan, Marc Schieß, Ulrich Mair, Lars Schories, Karl Benkler, Carsten Stamm
  • Patent number: 11486480
    Abstract: An electronic locking differential includes a lock ring and a coil that moves the lock ring to engage gears of the electronic locking differential, an energy storage capacitor that powers the coil during at least a portion of engagement of the lock ring with the gears, and a controller. The controller charges the energy storage capacitor to a first predefined voltage prior to the engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Brian James Andonian, Gustavo Luis Garcia, Jihong Guo, Andrew Monticello, Joseph Daniel
  • Patent number: 11473675
    Abstract: A method for holding a vehicle on a gradient. The vehicle has a transmission with an output, a first clutch and a second clutch. The primary sides of the first and second clutches are mechanically operatively connected to one another. The secondary sides of the first and second clutches are mechanically operatively connected to one another and to the output of the transmission. Different transmission ratios can be engaged by way of the first clutch and the second clutch, and the first clutch is in an engaged state. The method includes the additional closure of the second clutch in order to block the transmission and thus hold the vehicle at a standstill on a gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schwarz, Thomas Kurz, Sven Bieber
  • Patent number: 11472277
    Abstract: A drive arrangement for an element vehicle, having first and second drive wheels (R1, R2), a first electric machine (EM1) and a second electric machine (EM2) with a common rotational axis (m), a manual transmission (G3) with a transmission input shaft (EW) and a transmission output shaft (AW) and an axle differential (DI) with a differential input (DIK) and two differential output shafts (3a, 3b). The first electric machine (EM1) is connected to the transmission input shaft (EW) and the transmission output shaft (AW) is connected to the differential input (DIK), and the second electric machine (EM2) can, if necessary, be engaged as an additional drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Glückler, Kai Bornträger, Stefan Renner, Stefan Spühler, Michael Trübenbach, Johannes Kaltenbach
  • Patent number: 11466765
    Abstract: The lock-up device of a torque converter includes an input side clutch supporter fixed to a front cover for transmitting a power from a drive side; a plurality of clutch plates supported by the input side clutch supporter; a lock-up piston to pressurize the clutch plate to make the clutch connected; a piston guide supporting the end portion of the lock-up piston; a spring pack fixed to the lock-up piston, installed between the lock-up piston and the input side clutch supporter and including an elastic body that presses the lock-up piston in the direction of releasing the clutch; and an mutual rotation prevention mechanism that prevents a relative rotation between the lock-up piston and the input side clutch supporter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: VALEO KAPEC JAPAN KK
    Inventors: Atsushi Inoue, Shintaro Ishizaka
  • Patent number: 11460098
    Abstract: A differential can comprise a pilot clutch, a main clutch, a first ball ramp configured to act on the pilot clutch, and a second ball ramp configured to actuate the main clutch when the pilot clutch acts on the second ball ramp. An electromagnetic differential can comprise a carrier, a stator mounted on the carrier, a pilot clutch in the carrier, and a main clutch in the carrier. An electromagnetic differential can comprise a carrier and a first side gear and a second side gear in the carrier. A pilot clutch can be in the carrier surrounding a portion of the first side gear. A main clutch can be in the carrier surrounding a portion of the pilot clutch and surrounding a portion of the first side gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Pritam Bhurke, Varsha M. Nemane, Andrew N. Edler, Juan I. Giglio, Sarvesh S. Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 11460103
    Abstract: A lockup disengagement control device for an automatic transmission including a torque converter including a lockup clutch, and a lockup control section, the lockup disengagement control device includes: when a brake is operated from a brake OFF to a brake ON during a coast traveling in an engagement state of the lockup clutch, the lockup control section being configured to sense an initial deceleration by the brake ON operation, and to set a lockup release vehicle speed to be higher as an absolute value of the initial deceleration is greater, and when a vehicle speed is sensed to be equal to or smaller than the set lockup release vehicle speed in a middle of a brake deceleration scene by the brake ON operation, the lockup control section being configured to disengage the lockup clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Saito, Akira Nakainkyo, Naoyasu Ikeda, Xuming Wang
  • Patent number: 11460077
    Abstract: A power transmission device has an interlocking member 9 moving a pressure member 5 from an inactive position to an active position. A release spring (m) applies an urging force, while allowing movements of the interlocking member 9 and the pressure member 5, until drive-side clutch plates 6 and driven-side clutch plates 7 reach an engaged state before the drive-side clutch plates 6 and the driven-side clutch plates 7 are pressed against each other. A clutch spring 11 is compressed in a process where the interlocking member 9 moves after the drive-side clutch plates 6 and the driven-side clutch plates 7 have reached the engaged state. The clutch spring applying a press-contact force between the drive-side clutch plates 6 and the driven-side clutch plates 7 while allowing movements of the interlocking member 9 and the pressure member 5. The set load of the clutch spring 11 is set to be smaller than the maximum load of the release spring (m).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Ozawa, Han Hiong Chen, Makoto Kataoka, Masataka Murai
  • Patent number: 11460108
    Abstract: A parking lock actuator includes a blocking cam, an actuating device, an energy store, a blocking drive, and an intermediate element. The blocking cam is arranged for positive engagement with a tooth gap of a parking lock gear and the actuating device is for transferring an actuating force to the blocking cam. The energy store is for transferring the actuating force from the actuating device to the blocking cam, the blocking drive is for displacing the actuating device, and the intermediate element is freely displaceable relative to the blocking drive over a predetermined intermediate path for displacing the actuating device. The blocking cam is arranged to positively engage the tooth gap to block rotational movement of the parking lock gear when the actuating device is in a blocked position, and the parking lock gear is rotatable when the actuating device is in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Greb, Laszlo Man
  • Patent number: 11454308
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide an electric actuator including a first driving source coupled to an output through a first pathway created by a transmission, a second driving source coupled to the output though a second pathway created by the transmission that, upon the electric actuator losses electrical power to the electric actuator, causes the output to be positioned at a fail-safe position, a differential coupled to the first driving source and the second driving source through a third pathway created by the transmission to store energy from the first driving source in the second driving source, and an eddy current brake coupled to the output through the transmission that reduces a speed at which the second driving source moves the output to the fail-safe position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: NELES USA Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard T. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 11454319
    Abstract: In a vehicle parking lock mechanism, a parking pawl hinders rotation of a parking gear by engaging with the parking gear, and a lock member establishes a parking lock state by bringing the parking pawl closer to the parking gear and moving to a lock position. The cam mechanism includes a pair of a first roller and a second roller provided on the lock member. When the lock member is moved from an unlock position to the lock position, the first roller brings the parking pawl closer to the parking gear to be engaged with the parking gear and the second roller restricts the lock member from displacing in a direction away from the parking pawl. An outer peripheral surface of at least one of the first roller and the second roller includes a fixing portion that protrudes toward the lock position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaru Morise
  • Patent number: 11448310
    Abstract: A method of assembling an epicyclic gear train includes positioning a carrier, the carrier being a unitary structure with side walls and mounts unitary with one another, inserting intermediate gears through a central opening of the carrier, moving each of the intermediate gears into intermediate gear pockets, inserting baffles into the carrier, inserting a sun gear through the central opening, and moving the intermediate gears to intermesh with the sun gear, and moving a ring gear into engagement with the intermediate gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Michael E. McCune