Patents Examined by Jacob D. Knutson
  • Patent number: 11518433
    Abstract: A motor driven power steering control method may include setting a virtual friction model to a column connected between a steering wheel and a rack gear; calculating a frictional torque of the column by taking a steering angular speed of the steering wheel as an input parameter in the set virtual friction model; and calculating a target steering torque on the basis of a virtual steering system model using the frictional torque of the column as a parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jung Eun Cho, Young Min Go
  • Patent number: 11518293
    Abstract: A composite boat trailer for use in saltwater. The beams, bolts, hangers, fenders, guide poles, suspension, and bunks of the trailer are formed from a composite material that cannot rust or corrode. The trailer employs a manufacturing technique that reinforces all beams to distribute forces anticipated during the movement of a boat on the trailer at highway speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Steve French Enterprises, LTD, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen M. French
  • Patent number: 11518469
    Abstract: A bicycle may include a front triangle and a rear suspension system that couples the front triangle to a rear wheel and is dampened by at least one shock absorber. The rear suspension system includes a six-bar linkage having two ternary links separated from each other by one or more binary links, such that the two ternary links do not share a common joint. One of the ternary links may comprise a chain stay. In some examples, the other ternary link may comprise the front triangle. In some examples, the other ternary link may comprise a rocker arm coupling a seat stay link to the shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Level One Engineering LLC
    Inventor: Luther Mac Beale
  • Patent number: 11518477
    Abstract: An actuation controller for a rider posture changing device of a human-powered vehicle comprises a detector and a controller. The rider posture changing device includes a first member, a second member, and an electrical actuator configured to move the second member relative to the first member. The detector is configured to detect actuation information relating to an actuation state in which the electrical actuator moves the second member relative to the first member. The controller is configured to evaluate the actuation state in accordance with the actuation information detected by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Toyoto Shirai, Yuki Sakagawa, Norikazu Taki, Akihiro Nozaki, Noor Ashyikkin Binti Mohd Noor
  • Patent number: 11518432
    Abstract: Disclosed is zero point compensation method and device for EPS. The method includes: acquiring a value of lateral distance when a vehicle travels along an ideal path and obtaining a smoothed lateral distance value, for each control cycle; calculating a longitudinal movement distance value of the vehicle for each control cycle; performing linear fitting to obtain a linear relationship between the longitudinal movement distance value and the smoothed lateral distance value; calculating a zero point compensation angle for the EPS based on a first parameter in the linear relationship and a preset steering wheel transmission ratio, and compensating a steering control angle; and determining that the zero point compensation angle passes verification when a minimum residual error is less than a preset acceptable deviation. In this way, the time required for calibration can be reduced, and the accuracy and effectiveness of the control algorithm can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Beijing IDRIVERPLUS Information Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shibin Zhu, Bo Yan, Cheng Xu, Fang Zhang, Xiaofei Li, Dezhao Zhang, Xiao Wang, Shuhao Huo
  • Patent number: 11519155
    Abstract: In one aspect, an electrically-powered wheel assembly for a work vehicle may include an axle and a wheel configured to rotate relative to the axle. The wheel may, in turn, be positioned outward from the axle in a radial direction such that a wheel cavity is defined between the wheel and the axle in the radial direction. The wheel assembly may also include a first electric motor configured to rotationally drive the wheel relative to the axle, with the first electric motor positioned within the wheel cavity and configured to receive electric power from a power source. Furthermore, the wheel assembly may include a second electric motor positioned within the wheel cavity and configured to rotationally drive the wheel relative to the axle, with the second electric motor configured to receive electric power through the first electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan Eaby
  • Patent number: 11511817
    Abstract: In one example, mobile industrial equipment for coupling to a truck for on highway transportation is provided. The mobile industrial equipment includes a frame to connect to the truck, a plurality of wheels connected to the frame, and a track assembly connected to the frame. In another example a method for using mobile equipment is provided. The method includes transporting mobile industrial equipment over the highway with a plurality of wheels connected to a frame of the mobile industrial equipment. The frame of the mobile industrial equipment is separated from the truck. The mobile industrial equipment is moved while separated from the truck using a track connected to the frame of the mobile industrial equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Inventor: Steve L. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 11511794
    Abstract: An electric driver device provides a partial redundancy system that is at least partially redundant, or a full redundancy system. The electric driver device has a plurality of circuit systems. The electric driver device includes, in at least a part of the electric circuit, a common circuit extending over at least two of a plurality of circuit systems. The common circuit includes a power supply and/or a connection line that complements signals. At least one of the power supply circuit, an interface circuit, a power supply cutoff circuit, and a connector is not separated and independent from each other for each redundant circuit system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihisa Yamamoto, Naoki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 11511793
    Abstract: A steering axle for steering the wheels on the axle of a four-wheel forklift truck by a hydraulic or electric steering device. The steering axle has an axle beam with first and second wheel carriers. The wheel carriers are arranged pivotably on the axle beam. A steering rod is connected, in articulated fashion, to the two wheel carriers in order to transmit steering movements. A steering actuator produces the steering movement and has an actuator housing. The actuator housing has at least one guide section for the passage of the steering rod through the actuator housing. The steering actuator has at least one sliding bearing device for the radial support of the steering rod on the at least one guide section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Michael Anetzberger
  • Patent number: 11511564
    Abstract: This electromobility vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a seat unit mounted to the vehicle frame, a suspension mounted to a front-end side of the vehicle frame, a pair of front wheels aligned in a direction parallel to a width dimension of the vehicle and supported by the suspension, at least one rear wheel supported by the vehicle frame, and a drive device that drives either of the front wheels and the rear wheel, where the front wheels are omnidirectional wheels whose outer circumferential surfaces are formed by a plurality of rollers and the pair of front wheels is supported by the suspension such that it is placed in a toe-in arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: WHILL, INC
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Hirata, Tsuyoshi Uchino, Satoshi Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 11505020
    Abstract: A convertible handle having a shaft portion and a grip portion. The grip portion is configured to slide along the length the shaft portion to expose a tongue on the shaft portion. In a manual configuration, the grip portion is used for manually pulling a cart. When not in the manual configuration, the shaft may be attached to a vehicle via the tongue for towing by vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Tricam Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Wernberg, Benjamin P. Williams, Joseph P. Foley
  • Patent number: 11505272
    Abstract: A sweat absorbing device includes at least one first strip which has a connection end, and the connection end is connected to a portion of the at least one first strip to form the at least one first strip as a loop. The at least one first strip is removably connected to the handlebar. A sweat absorbing pad has a top face for absorbing sweat, and a bottom face. The at least one first strip is removably connected to the bottom face of the sweat absorbing pad. The sweat absorbing pad can be adjusted relative to the stationary bike so as to properly absorb the rider's sweat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: CYCLINGDEAL USA, INC.
    Inventor: Haidong Gu
  • Patent number: 11505229
    Abstract: A tool support includes a frame that is configured to support a tool and a powered track supported on the frame. The powered track includes a drive roller, an idler roller, and an endless belt that extends around the drive roller and the idler roller. The tool support also includes a first motor supported on the frame. The first motor is operable to drive the drive roller and rotate the endless belt. The tool support further includes a second motor supported by the frame. The second motor is configured to be coupled to the tool to drive the tool supported on the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matt R. Wolf, Ryan J. Denissen, Peter J. Davies, Sean T. Kehoe, Justin Miller, Jacqueline J. Beierle
  • Patent number: 11505263
    Abstract: A snowmobile includes a chassis comprising a bulkhead and a tunnel, a front suspension coupled to bulkhead, a rear suspension coupled to the tunnel, and slide rails coupled to the rear suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Hedlund, Michael L. Fugleberg, Matthew J. Prusak, Jeffrey A. Eaton
  • Patent number: 11505018
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle hitch system having a plurality of modular and easily interchangeable accessory attachments. Each accessory attachment may be operable to secure one or more pieces of equipment useful for the user's preferred activities. The system may include a base and a plurality of different accessory attachments, the base comprising a vehicle mount, a connector, and a support frame, and each of the accessory attachments may comprise an accessory mount and an accessory support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Inventor: Brandon Kato
  • Patent number: 11505238
    Abstract: A position measurement system for a steering system includes a steering shaft. The position measurement system also includes a worm gear coupled to the steering shaft. The position measurement system further includes a worm in meshed engagement with the worm gear, the worm driven by a motor. The position measurement system yet further includes a first sensor operatively coupled to the worm to detect an angular position of the worm and the motor that drives the worm. The position measurement system also includes a driving gear coupled to the steering shaft. The position measurement system further includes a spur gear in meshed engagement with the driving gear. The position measurement system yet further includes a second sensor operatively coupled to the spur gear to detect an angular position of the spur gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Kun Yang, Pierre C. Longuemare, Eric D. Pattok, Keith A. Kidder
  • Patent number: 11498645
    Abstract: To provide a shifting control device and an electric shifting system allowing a user to comfortably ride a human-powered vehicle, a shifting control device comprising a controller configured to control a shifting device in accordance with a first operation performed on an operating device for braking a rotary body of a human-powered vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Takafumi Nishino, Toshihiko Takahashi, Daisuke Nago, Satoshi Shahana
  • Patent number: 11498608
    Abstract: Hydraulic bi-directional flow switches are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a piston disposed in a fluid channel between a first fluid connection and a second fluid connection, where the first and second fluid connections define a fluid pathway for hydraulic steering fluid. The example apparatus also includes a detector to detect a movement of the piston away from a default position of the piston, where the piston is to displace from the default position when the hydraulic steering fluid flows along the fluid pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Frederick William Nelson
  • Patent number: 11493117
    Abstract: A ball screw device includes a screw shaft having a first screw groove formed on an outer circumference thereof, a ball screw nut having a second screw groove formed on an inner circumference thereof, and a plurality of balls disposed in a spiral ball raceway wherein the first screw groove and the second screw groove face each other. A circulation member is attached to an attachment hole radially penetrating the ball screw nut and a circulation path is formed, the circulation path allowing endless circulation of each of the balls rolling in the ball raceway by short-circuiting between two points of the ball raceway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tetsuya Kaneko
  • Patent number: 11492035
    Abstract: A steering drive system for a steering system of a transportation vehicle having a first control unit for actuating a first winding circuit of a steering drive motor with a test circuit to make available a defined changing test signal and a second control unit for actuating a second winding circuit of the steering drive motor, wherein a test signal reception circuit of the second control unit receives the test signal, and wherein the second control unit actuates the steering drive motor based on the presence or absence of the test signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher Kreis, Tobias Sachs, Sebastian Schmidt-Schäfer