Patents Examined by Jake Cook
  • Patent number: 12384058
    Abstract: A robotic arm having at least pair of structural members rotatably coupled to one another, with a first one of the structural members defining a central passage. A communications link is at least partially within the robotic arm for signal transmission between within the robotic arm. The communications link includes a signal transmission device having a coiled portion, with ends of the coiled portion adapted to be connected to parts of the communications link, whereby the coiled portion is a segment of the communications link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2025
    Assignee: KINOVA INC.
    Inventors: Jean-François Forget, Nicolas Frigon
  • Patent number: 12379027
    Abstract: A gearbox actuator unit (14) is configured to be arranged on a gearbox (10) and includes a housing (22), a control device (24), and an actuator (28, 30). The housing (22) is configured to attach to a gearbox housing (12) and to seal the gearbox housing (12). The control device (24) is electrically connected to the actuator (28, 30) and activates the actuator (28, 30). A pinon of the actuator (28, 30) is configured to actuate a rack of a shift fork (18, 20) of the gearbox (10) and can be connected to the shift fork (18, 20) of the gearbox (10). The control device (24) and the actuator (28, 30) are arranged within the housing (22), with the pinion extending through an opening of the housing. A gearbox (10) with a housing (12) having an opening (44) receives the actuator unit (14), which closes and seals the opening (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2025
    Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, ZF CV Systems Global GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Hahn, Holger Kelpe, Michael Günther, Hansjörg Kraft
  • Patent number: 12372142
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a threaded nut of a ball screw, the threaded nut having an inner sleeve made of sheet metal and an outer sleeve made of sheet metal, which are nested axially in one another to form a nut sleeve. The nut sleeve is provided with a thread, which is formed helically about a longitudinal axis of the threaded nut and which forms, on the inner circumference of the nut sleeve, a ball groove wound helically about the longitudinal axis of the threaded nut and, and on the outer circumference of the nut sleeve, a helically wound outer ridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Mario Kreutzer, Richard Baier, Claus Pfeffer, Thomas Kandler
  • Patent number: 12366291
    Abstract: The valve module can be installed regardless of an oil level, for example of an oil level of an oil sump of a motor vehicle. By means of a buffer volume having an overflow it is always guaranteed that a leakage flow conveyed past a valve piston includes no air but consists solely of hydraulic medium, since the overflow guarantees a level of hydraulic medium which lies above an upper face of the valve piston in a preferred installation position. As a result, foaming of the hydraulic medium can be prevented. The valve module can also be installed above the oil sump, for example in an upper region of a gearbox of the motor vehicle. In addition, the oil from the overflow can be used for cooling/lubrication of further drive train components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Grenzhäuser, Christopher Schneider
  • Patent number: 12365101
    Abstract: A wrist mechanism includes a first rotation unit, a second rotation unit, a first brake pad, and a first brake plate. The first rotation unit includes a first motor, a first rotating shaft that is connected to the first motor, and a first encoder. The first motor is operable to drive the first rotating shaft to rotate about a first axis. The first encoder measures an angle of rotation of the first rotating shaft. The second rotation unit is co-rotatable with the first rotating shaft about the first axis. The first brake pad is connected to the first rotating shaft. The first brake plate is operable to move relative to the first brake pad along the first axis. When the first brake plate is urged to move along the first axis to abut against the first brake pad, the rotation of the first rotating shaft is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
    Assignee: TOYO AUTOMATION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kun-Cheng Tseng, Yi-An Chen, Fong-Ting Yan, Chung-Ho Chen
  • Patent number: 12350822
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a protective covering for a robot hand axis of a robot, in particular in a painting robot. The protective covering according to the disclosure has a protective sheath for at least partially enclosing the robot hand axis. Furthermore, the protective covering according to the disclosure has a proximal protective sheath fastening for fastening the protective sheath to a fastening point on a proximal component of the robot hand axis or on the robot arm of the robot. Furthermore, the protective covering according to the disclosure has a distal protective sheath fastening for fastening the protective sheath to the tool. The disclosure provides that the proximal protective sheath fastening and preferably also the distal protective sheath fastening allows a rotational movement of the protective sheath relative to the fastening point on the proximal component of the robot hand axis or on the robot arm of the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Inventors: Patrick Häussermann, Peter Marquardt, Joachim Schneider, Ralph Glaser
  • Patent number: 12345312
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operation and assembly of a helical drive are provided. A helical drive includes a discrete roller assembly-based roller worm including a body portion and a plurality of discrete roller assemblies disposed in a first helical pattern about the body portion. The helical drive includes an engagement structure including a primary axis, wherein the roller worm is configured to rotate about a central axis to cause linear translation of the roller worm along a length of the engagement structure and the primary axis. The engagement structure includes a plurality of tracks disposed along the length of the engagement structure, where each of the tracks is configured to receive at least one of the roller assemblies during the rotation of the roller worm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: Mytra, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Ozog, Daniel Livingston, Gagandeep Thable
  • Patent number: 12345317
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system, method and apparatus for a gear are disclosed. For example, a metallic gear hub can include an axis of rotation and metallic gear teeth. The metallic gear teeth can be smaller than a final gear teeth size of the gear. The metallic gear teeth can be co-planar with the axis. In addition, the metallic gear teeth can be non-orthogonal to the axis. A polymer layer can be located on the metallic gear teeth to form polymer gear teeth on the metallic gear teeth. The polymer gear teeth can form the final gear teeth size of the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Beyerlein, Alan G. Turek, Himadri Shastry, Jason T. Rutkiewicz
  • Patent number: 12344361
    Abstract: A torque fluctuation absorber includes a first outer helical spline, an intermediate member, an outer member, a first spring, and a second spring. The first outer helical spline is rotatable integrally with a torque transmission shaft. The intermediate member is able to move in a first axial direction and in a second axial direction. The intermediate member is linked with the torque transmission shaft through a first helical spline coupling including the first outer helical spline. Axial movement of the outer member with respect to the torque transmission shaft is regulated. The outer member is linked with the intermediate member through a second helical spline coupling. The first spring biases the intermediate member in the first axial direction. The second spring biases the intermediate member in the second axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shigeharu Mineo
  • Patent number: 12330299
    Abstract: An internally engaged planetary gear device includes a bearing member, an internally toothed gear, a planetary gear, a plurality of inner pins, and a plurality of rolling bearings. When respectively inserted into a plurality of inner pin holes formed in the planetary gear, the plurality of inner pins are configured to rotate relative to the internally toothed gear while revolving in the inner pin holes. The plurality of rolling bearings are configured to hold respective inner pins of the plurality of inner pins at two sides in a direction parallel to a rotation axis Ax1 with respect to the planetary gear. Each inner pin of the plurality of inner pins is configured to be held on each rolling bearing in a state capable of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignees: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD., GUANGDONG JIYA PRECISION MACHINERY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., GD MIDEA AIR-CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD., GUANGDONG MIDEA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wenjie Lin, Gang Wang, Kiyoji Minegishi, Ziming Guo, Tsuyoshi Isaji
  • Patent number: 12331823
    Abstract: A rotary actuator includes a housing having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along an axis. The housing defines a cavity extending circumferentially about the axis. An output shaft is arranged coaxially with the axis. The output shaft extends outwardly from the cavity through the first end. A drive system is disposed in the cavity and axially spaced from the first end. A gearbox is disposed in the cavity between the output shaft and the drive system. The gearbox is coupled to the drive system and the output shaft. A rotational controller is disposed in the cavity between the drive system and the second end. The rotational controller is configured to actuate the drive system to adjust an angular position of the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Craig Hooker, Brad Derry, Peter Bartell, Josiah Bailey, Bartholomew Briggs
  • Patent number: 12297904
    Abstract: A stand-alone block, comprising: a hydraulic cylinder and one or more valves, wherein one or more adduction lines between the valve and the hydraulic cylinder are configured to allow the hydraulic cylinder to be self-purging. The hydraulic cylinder drives and guides a hollow piston, wherein a pass-through hole of the piston is configured to host a rod axially aligned with respect to a centerline of the hollow piston, wherein the hollow piston has a radial clearance formed between an inner surface of the hollow piston and the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: DANA ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Davide Carpi, Pier Paolo Rinaldi, Giacomo Faggiani
  • Patent number: 12291838
    Abstract: Construction equipment includes a framework and at least one electric actuator for moving at least one element of the framework. The actuator includes a ball or roller screw system having a threaded rod and a nut forming a helical connection with the threaded rod. An electric motor drives the rod in rotation around a longitudinal axis, forcing the nut to move axially along the rod. A carriage is axially connected with the nut. An axial guide guides the movement of the carriage. The guide is fixed to the framework. At least one support element connects, directly or indirectly, the threaded rod to framework. The support element is designed so that threaded rod can tilt, to some extent, relative to framework around any axis perpendicular to rod longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventors: Alexandre Gateau, Ludovic Maxant, Gauthier Brunet, Henrik Strand, Sylvain Houel
  • Patent number: 12287026
    Abstract: The linear actuator comprises elongated first and second bands that cooperate to form an extractable and retractable column. Rotatable first and second band guide members respectively guide turns of the first and second bands into intertwined engagement. A power actuator causes rotation of the first and second band guide members such that the extractable and retractable column may be extracted or retracted. A base carries the power actuator, the first and second bands and the first and second band guide members. An anti-rotation mechanism comprises a first anti-rotation member attached to the base and a complementary second anti-rotation member attached to at least one of the first and second bands, with the first and second anti-rotation members engaging one another in the column to prevent rotation of the column relative to the base. The engagement of the first and second anti-rotation members is non-punctual about a periphery of the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: GESTION LAFOREST INC.
    Inventors: Alain Forté, Alain Gobeil, Pierre Laforest
  • Patent number: 12259025
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for setting an axial preload force of a roller screw drive rotatably mounted in a housing. The housing is split transversely into a first and a second housing part. The roller screw drive is inserted with two axially spaced bearings into the second housing part. An axial preload force is applied which is transmitted from the first bearing via the roller screw drive to the second bearing. An axial load spacing between the bearing supporting surface of the first bearing and a second housing edge of the second housing part is measured. An adjusting nut is screwed into the first housing part until an axial adjustable spacing is the same size as the measured axial load spacing. The adjusting nut is then secured in place in the first housing part, and the two housing parts are connected to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Silvia Kutzberger, Mario Arnold, Kathrin Gumbrecht
  • Patent number: 12257700
    Abstract: A tool includes a transmission mechanism, a shaft, and a rotary device. The shaft is rotatable with reference to the transmission mechanism through a defined range of rotational motion about a first axis of rotation and includes a protrusion extending from the shaft in a direction normal to the first axis of rotation. The rotary device includes a first stop surface, a second stop surface, and a notch between the first stop surface and the second stop surface, with the notch configured to receive the protrusion extending from the shaft. Rotation of the shaft through a midpoint of the range of rotational motion causes the protrusion to enter the notch of the rotary device and rotate the rotary device from a first position to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Grant M. Kadokura, Andrew C. Waterbury
  • Patent number: 12247655
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a working fluid stabilization device for an agricultural work vehicle, the working fluid stabilization device including: a case configured such that a working fluid is accommodated therein; a gear part disposed inside the case; a suction part formed in the bottom of the case, and connected to a suction pipe; and a baffle means disposed inside the case, and configured to alleviate the introduction of bubbles in the working fluid, generated by the rotation of the gear part, into the suction part. According to the present invention, there is an effect of preventing or alleviating the introduction of bubbles into the suction part of a transmission device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: LS MTRON LTD.
    Inventors: Soo Yeun Lee, Jung Min Kim, Ki Ho Yi, Eun Hong Kim, Ji Soo Lee
  • Patent number: 12240098
    Abstract: A clean room single-axis robot in which a dust collection system is used includes a transfer unit installed inside a clean room to transfer an assembly part in the forward/backward direction and an elevating unit installed on one side of the transfer unit to transfer an assembly part in the upward/downward direction. The transfer unit includes a horizontal profile, first covers, a first guide unit, a driving belt, a plurality of rollers, and a forward/backward movement unit. A dust collection system of the transfer unit has an open structure, and is configured to suction the air accommodated inside the horizontal profile, collect dust contained in the air, and then discharge the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: SP SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jung Hoon Ha
  • Patent number: 12233710
    Abstract: The drive device comprises first and second motors comprising respective first and second rotary shafts. The drive device comprises first and second counter shafts connected to each of the first and second rotary shafts via first and second counter gears. The drive device comprises first and second transmission shafts connected to each of the first and second counter shafts via third and fourth counter gears. The drive device comprises first and second drive shafts connected to each of the first and second transmission shafts via first and second hypoid gears. The first and second rotary shafts are located between the first and second counter shafts with respect to the vehicle width direction. The first and second transmission shafts are located between the first and second counter shafts in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masataka Iwamoto, Koichi Okuda, Atsushi Tabata
  • Patent number: 12228205
    Abstract: A holder has a holder engagement portion in at least a position sandwiching a pad from both sides in a third direction orthogonal to both a first direction that is an urging direction of an elastic member and a second direction that is an axial direction of a worm accommodation portion. The pad has a pad engagement portion that comes into contact with the holder engagement portion on at least one of both side portions in the third direction. Based on contact between the holder engagement portion and the pad engagement portion, displacement of the pad in the third direction with respect to the holder is regulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: NSK STEERING & CONTROL, INC.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Sugawara