Abstract: An adjustment drive for a steering column adjustable by motor includes a threaded spindle with an axis. The threaded spindle engages in a spindle nut, a drive unit and a gear wheel connected to the spindle nut or the threaded spindle for rotation therewith, which is driveable to rotate about the axis by the drive unit and rotatably mounted about the axis in a bearing housing in an arrangement between two outer bearing rings axially supported at the bearing housing. The outer bearing rings each have, on their facing sides, a circumferential outer bearing face coaxial to the axis, the outer bearing face in each case lying opposite a bearing face on the end side at the gear wheel. At least one outer bearing ring is axially resiliently supported at the bearing housing by an elastic preloading element that axially braces the two outer bearing rings together.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 11, 2018
Date of Patent:
May 19, 2020
Assignees:
ThyssenKrupp Presta AG, thyssenkrupp AG
Inventors:
Sebastian Huber, Jean-Pierre Specht, Arne Schacht
Abstract: A steering device includes a plurality of telescopic lock teeth, a lock bolt, an EA stopper, and a first urging member. An outer circumferential surface of the lock bolt is formed with a bolt engagement portion. An inner circumferential surface of an EA insertion hole is formed with an EA protruding portion that is engaged with a bolt engagement portion in a direction in which the EA stopper is moved toward an abutting position in a bolt circumferential direction.
Abstract: An occupant restraining device for a vehicle has: a time to collision estimating section that estimates a time to collision, the time to collision being a time until a front collision with a vehicle ahead; a force imparting portion that imparts force toward a vehicle rear side to a vehicle occupant of an own vehicle; a gap enlarging portion that enlarges a gap between the vehicle occupant and a seatback of a vehicle seat; a gap estimating section that estimates a size of the gap between the vehicle occupant and the seatback; and a control section that, in a case in which the gap enlarging portion operates, controls a timing of a start of operation of the force imparting portion on the basis of the time to collision estimated by the time to collision estimating section and the size of the gap estimated by the gap estimating section.
Abstract: A ground drive hose routing system and method for a self-propelled agricultural product applicator utilize segments of a hose arrangement that are constrained to lie and move primarily in only one direction, to isolate horizontal hose movement related to track-width adjustment from vertical hose movement resulting from action of suspension members. For steerable wheels, an additional pivotable segment is utilized to accommodate turning motion while maintaining isolation between other primarily horizontally and vertically constrained movable segments of the hose arrangement.
Abstract: A rack-and-pinion type steering apparatus 1 comprises a gear case 3 made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy and having a hollow portion 2; a steering shaft 6 rotatably supported by the gear case 3 through rolling bearings 4 and 5; a pinion 7 which is provided integrally on a shaft end portion of the steering shaft 6 and is rotatably supported in the hollow portion 2 by the gear case 3 through the steering shaft 6; a rack bar 9 on which rack teeth 8 meshing with the pinion 7 are formed; a rack guide 10 which is disposed in the hollow portion 2 of the gear case 3 and supports the rack bar 9 slidably; and a spring 11 constituted by a coil spring for pressing the rack guide 10 toward the rack bar 9.
Abstract: A deflection fitting for a seat belt in a motor vehicle, in particular for an inflatable seat belt, includes a belt deflector which encloses the seat belt and which comprises a guide slot for receiving and for passing through the seat belt.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 12, 2018
Date of Patent:
April 28, 2020
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Martin Kizil, Joerg Frank Doering, Carsten Bazant
Abstract: A vehicle includes a support arm and a suspension element. The suspension element is rotatably connected to a support arm of a vehicle via a mounting pin that extends through an opening on the suspension element, a thrust washer, and a seal. The combination of elements prevent debris from migrating into the connection. The suspension element is configured to connect to a structural element of the vehicle via an upper mount. The suspension element may include a recoil damper having a piston with a plurality of grooves arranged to balance the forces on the piston during and after a recoil event or jounce.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 19, 2018
Date of Patent:
April 28, 2020
Assignee:
Oshkosh Defense, LLC
Inventors:
Aaron Rositch, Erik Ellifson, Patrick Dillman, Kai Schubart, Robert Sollenskog
Abstract: A front frame is provided with a seat for at least one person and a front wheel mounting for at least one front wheel; and a back frame provided with a rear wheel mounting for at least two back wheels. The front frame is connected via a rotary axis with the back frame, the rotary axis having a component parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A drive arrangement engages on at least one of the wheels; a steering arrangement is arranged for rotating at least one front wheel relative to the front frame, over a rotation axis with a vertical component. The rear wheel mounting comprises rotatable mounting members for mounting the rear wheels, the mounting members rotatable over a rotation axis with a vertical component, wherein one or more rear wheel steering actuators drive the mounting members. A tilt actuator controls the tilt position of the front frame relative to the rear frame, which is independent of the steering actuation of the rear wheel steer actuator.
Abstract: The disclosure concerns a crumple element for a steering column. In order to provide a reliable, structurally simple steering column, according to the disclosure, it is provided that the crumple element has first and second connecting portions arranged axially at an end to connect adjacent steering column parts, and an interrupted crumple portion arranged in between the first and second connecting portions, and is able to deform by a threshold force acting axially, while the connecting portions are deformation-resistant to the threshold force. The crumple element is made integrally by additive production from metal. An end region of the first connecting portion facing the crumple portion has a first portion that protrudes axially relative to a second portion lying opposite the first portion transversely to the axial direction.
Abstract: A rack and pinion steering system includes a housing, a rack, a pinion gear, and a radially preloaded rack bearing. The rack is supported by the housing, and the pinion gear is meshed to the rack. The radially preloaded rack bearing is supported and preloaded to the housing and is preloaded to the rack.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 15, 2017
Date of Patent:
April 14, 2020
Assignee:
Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
Inventors:
Kevin P. Douglas, Ryan D. Harris, Fred N. Golda, Justin R. Coats
Abstract: The invention relates to an inflatable airbag (1) for the protection of a person comprising a flexible sheath (10) which comprises at least two fingerlike extensions (11), wherein the flexible sheath (10) delimits a closed gas expansion chamber by the fingerlike extensions (11). The invention excels by the fact that the fingerlike extensions (11) are connected by at least one of being stitched, glued or welded to each other so that in an inflated state the airbag (1) takes a three-dimensional shape. The invention further relates to an airbag module, a vehicle occupant restraint system as well as vehicle parts comprising such airbag.
Abstract: A patient transport apparatus for moving a patient from one location to another. The patient transport apparatus comprises a suspension system to limit discomfort to the patient when the patient transport apparatus moves over disturbances in floor surfaces. The suspension system comprises suspension devices such as a spring and/or a damper. The suspension system is operable in an energy-absorbing mode in which the suspension system absorbs energy as wheels move over the disturbances during transport or a lockout mode in which the suspension system is relatively more rigid as compared to the energy-absorbing mode. A control system operates to place the suspension system in one of the modes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 16, 2019
Date of Patent:
April 7, 2020
Assignee:
Stryker Corporation
Inventors:
Jerald A. Trepanier, Kevin M. Patmore, Anish Paul, William D. Childs
Abstract: A universal wishbone trailing arm and methods are provided for coupling a wheel to a vehicle chassis. The universal wishbone trailing arm comprises a wheel hub that fastenably receives the wheel. A cylindrical axle support supports one or more roller bearings whereby the wheel hub is rotatable. A first swing arm and a second swing arm extend forwardly from a joined swing arm. The cylindrical axle support is coupled to a rear of the joined swing arm. A first chassis mount hingedly couples the first swing arm to the vehicle chassis. A second chassis mount hingedly couples the second swing arm to an articulated mount which is configured to couple the second swing arm to the vehicle chassis. The articulated mount cooperates with the first second swing arms to change camber of the wheel, such that a tracking of the wheels remains substantially unchanged during traveling over rough terrain.
Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling one or more tractive assemblies of a vehicle responsive to a disabling event. A sensor is arranged to detect one or more conditions of a tractive element indicative of the functionality of the tractive element. The sensor generates data corresponding to the detected conditions. The tractive element is coupled to a frame of the vehicle and configured to support a portion of the weight of the vehicle. When the tractive element is determined to not be functioning properly, control signal(s) for an actuator are generated to control a distance between the tractive element and the frame. The control signal(s) cause the tractive element to be effectively raised from a support surface for the vehicle.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 19, 2018
Date of Patent:
April 7, 2020
Assignee:
Oshkosh Defense, LLC
Inventors:
Ron Zhang, David Hansen, Deepak Shukla, Aaron Rositch
Abstract: The invention relates to a drive-shaft arrangement for use on a drive vehicle, in particular a tractor, with an automatic clutch system for intermediate attachment units for providing a front power take-off (PTO) on the drive vehicle, in particular, a tractor with a base frame having at least a front-side first suspension and a rear-side second suspension, a clutch unit arranged on the base frame, a drive-shaft device and a front PTO, wherein the clutch unit is drivingly connected to the front PTO via the drive-shaft device, wherein the first and the second suspensions are designed for the mechanical coupling of the drive-shaft arrangement within an intermediate-axle space of the drive vehicle and the clutch unit is designed for the driving coupling of the front PTO with the automatic clutch system for intermediate-axle attachment units.
Abstract: In a clamped state where the interval between both the pressing parts is reduced and both the clamped plate parts are clamped by both the support plate parts, vertical distances from an outer peripheral surface of the adjustment rod to an upper surface and a lower surface of an inner surface of one through-hole of both the through-holes are different, vertical distances from the outer peripheral surface of the adjustment rod to an upper surface and a lower surface of an inner surface of the other through-hole of both the through-holes are different, and sides, where the vertical distance from the outer peripheral surface of the adjustment rod to the inner surface is smaller, are on opposite sides with respect to the vertical direction in one through-hole and the other through-hole.
Abstract: A bar is designed for attaching a steering cylinder of a vehicle to a wheel axle. The bar is twisted around its longitudinal axis. The bar is manufactured by cutting out a rectangular plate of metallic material or of composite material, clamping the longitudinal ends of the cut-out plate, and pivoting one end or pivoting both ends in opposite directions, around a longitudinal axis of the plate.
Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly is provided herein. The vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback coupled to a seat-base. An airbag assembly is coupled to the seatback and configured to deploy therefrom. A tether is coupled to the airbag assembly and at least one of the seatback and the seat-base. An anchoring feature is coupled to at least one of the seatback and the seat-base and is configured to restrain seating-assembly-upward movement of the tether.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 15, 2018
Date of Patent:
March 24, 2020
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Alan George Dry, Johnathan Andrew Line, Brian Robert Spahn, Benjamin Yilma, S. M. Akbar Berry, Kevin Wayne Preuss, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Daniel Ferretti
Abstract: An air management system and method are provided. The system includes a pressurized air source. A manifold block is coupled to the pressurized air source and includes a plurality of suspension valves in fluid communication with the pressurized air source and each defines a suspension orifice of a first diameter for controlling air flow to and from a plurality of air springs. A manifold pressurization valve is in fluid communication with the plurality of suspension valves and the pressurized air source and defines a manifold pressurization orifice of a second diameter that is less than the first diameter of the suspension orifice for opening under high pressure to allow pressurized air into the manifold block. An electronic control unit controls the manifold pressurization valve and the plurality of suspension valves to equalize a high pressure differential across the plurality of suspension valves from the plurality of air springs.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 4, 2018
Date of Patent:
March 24, 2020
Assignee:
BEIJINGWEST INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
Inventors:
David Fredrick Reuter, Daniel Norbert Borgemenke, Bryan P. Riddiford
Abstract: The system and method of making an asymmetrical buckling portion in a linkage member that is formed at the same time a hexagonal holding feature is being formed. The presence of the elongated groove drives the force of a buckling event asymmetrically through the inner tie rod ball stud near the area of failure, which influences the tie rod assembly to buckle in the direction of the groove, prior to other components in the linkage system and thus negates the effects of inner tie rod ball stud run-out tolerances that are present in conventional inner tie rod ball studs formed by machining.