Patents Examined by James Hsiao
  • Patent number: 9709107
    Abstract: A bearing bracket configuration for a drum brake of a motor vehicle. A bearing bracket (30) for an eccentric shaft (20) is provided with a separate mounting (50) for the brake cylinder (10). This makes it possible for the fastening to be divided into separate parts, whereby accessibility for fitting is improved and it is possible for the parts to be largely preassembled. Also, a drum brake and a motor vehicle with the configuration and a method for fitting a bearing bracket configuration are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: SCANIA CV AB
    Inventor: Rickard Tigér
  • Patent number: 9702423
    Abstract: Device for damping vibrations of a vibration surface (21) of the frequency tuned resonance damping kind consisting of one or several elastic damping elements (1-4) and a vibration body (5) supported by the damping elements which together are tuned to damp the vibrations of said surface within a selected frequency range. First mutually co-operating form grip organs give a form grip between said damping elements (1-4) and the vibration surface (21), and second mutually co-operating form grip organs give a form grip between the damping elements and the vibration body. The form grip organs in addition have a recess with gripping surfaces (25-30, 33-35) for transferring vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: TRELLEBORG AUTOMOTIVE FORSHEDA AB
    Inventor: Bengt-Göran Gustavsson
  • Patent number: 9682604
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a suspension comprising a spring having a threaded member at a first end for providing axial movement to the spring as the spring is rotated and the threaded member moves relative to a second component. In one embodiment, the system includes a damper for metering fluid through a piston and a rotatable spring member coaxially disposed around the damper and rotatable relative to the damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Cox, Michael David Marquez, Everet Ericksen
  • Patent number: 9664247
    Abstract: A damping force is generated by controlling a flow of oil caused by a sliding displacement of a piston in a cylinder with the aid of a disk valve, against extension and compression of a piston rod. An elastic seal member, fixedly attached to a back surface side of the disk valve, is fitted in a recessed portion of a pilot body, by which a pilot chamber is formed and valve opening of the disk valve is controlled by inner pressure in the pilot chamber. The elastic seal member is in abutment with a bottom portion of the recessed portion, and the disk valve is urged toward inner and other seat portions by elasticity of the elastic seal member. This configuration ensures that the disk valve can be closed without a set load provided from deflection of the disk valve, thereby generating a stable low damping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Mikio Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9662950
    Abstract: Energy storing suspension components for use in suspension systems for wheeled vehicles and trailers are disclosed. The energy storing suspension components include an axle seat portion, an end, and a limb extending between the axle seat portion and the end. The limb includes a first taper wherein the limb decreases in width as the limb extends toward the end, a second taper wherein the limb decreases in thickness as the limb extends toward the end, wherein along the limb there is at least a portion where both the first taper and second taper are present, and a third taper that is further from the axle seat portion than the first taper and wherein the limb increases in width as the limb extends toward the end. Also disclosed are combinations of bushings and energy storing suspension components having an end configured to include an eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Andrew X. Rarey, Randy Zimmerman, Carmen D. Cardillo
  • Patent number: 9651104
    Abstract: A brake disc arrangement for disc brakes comprising a friction ring, a mounting adapter for mounting the brake disc arrangement on a wheel hub, at least one connecting element for connecting the friction ring and the mounting adapter, and at least one contour having a friction ring-side and an adapter-side contour region, wherein the contour is shaped along a longitudinal axis by recesses in the friction ring and the mounting adapter running perpendicular to a rotational axis of the brake disc arrangement, wherein the connecting element may be brought from a first state where the connecting element is arranged inside the contour and a second state where the outer diameter of the connecting element is enlarged, such that the connecting element is connected to the friction ring-side and/or the adapter-side contour region by form fit and/or friction fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND GmbH
    Inventor: Olaf Drewes
  • Patent number: 9651106
    Abstract: A caliper brake apparatus includes: a guide plate that supports a brake shoe; an anchor pin that supports the guide plate and is provided in a caliper main body to be free to advance and retreat; a piston provided in the caliper main body to be free to advance and retreat; a piston plate that is fixed to the piston and supported by the anchor pin; an elastic membrane that is provided so as to define a pressure chamber in the caliper main body, and that moves the brake shoe via the piston, the piston plate, and the guide plate; and an intermediate member disposed between the piston plate and the guide plate. The intermediate member is interposed between the piston plate and the guide plate such that a gap is formed between the piston plate and the guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Suzuki, Yoshiyuki Ookawara
  • Patent number: 9630817
    Abstract: A frictional rope brake that is adjustable to control the rate of descent for it given cargo weight and disengage from the cargo once the cargo has contacted its drop zone is provided. The frictional rope brake includes a braided cage, an inlet collar, an outlet tunnel, and an adjustable tensioner for adjusting frictional forces applied to the rope by the braided cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Niche, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E Vogt
  • Patent number: 9623855
    Abstract: A brake system for a rail vehicle including a brake cylinder having a housing, a port on the housing for receiving fluid pressure signals, a pressure piston carried inside the housing, and a shaft connected to the pressure piston. The pressure piston and the shaft form an actuator to apply and release the brakes of the rail vehicle. A parking brake locking mechanism is connected to the actuator and is responsive to fluid signals from a fluid charged brake pipe to lock and unlock the parking brake locking mechanism. Further included is a manual release device configured to unlock the parking brake locking mechanism from the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: NEW YORK AIR BRAKE LLC
    Inventors: Howard E. Huber, Simon Czypionka
  • Patent number: 9611912
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a body valve assembly for a shock absorber, which is capable of improving ride comfort by improving the degree of freedom of the adjustment in damping force and preventing the damping force from being rapidly changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hark Joo Kim, Nam Ho Kim, Jun Hyuk Lim
  • Patent number: 9611916
    Abstract: A second inner member and a second insulator are provided in a second ring-shaped member forming a torque rod. A first bore section and a second bore section are provided in front of and in the rear of the second inner member. The insulator has an elastic arm section extending in the direction of a Y axis. A spring adjustment recess extends in a slit shape in the direction of an X axis from an end of the first bore section. The spring adjustment recess forms an unrestricted part of the elastic arm section by the second ring-shaped member, whereby the Z spring in the axial direction of the inner member is lowered, and the XZ spring ratio can be changed greatly while maintaining the size of the X spring in the main vibration inputting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: YAMASHITA RUBBER KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hitoshi Shimada
  • Patent number: 9586486
    Abstract: A control device for a recuperative braking system of a vehicle includes: an actuating device configured to (i) select the maximum value of a front axle generator braking torque and of a rear axle generator braking torque, taking into account at least one provided default variable concerning a setpoint total braking torque which is predefined by a driver, (ii) control an electric motor, and (iii) control a hydraulic front axle brake circuit component and a hydraulic rear axle brake circuit component in such a way that a front axle brake pressure and a rear axle brake pressure are settable in such a way that a difference between a predefined setpoint braking torque distribution and an actual braking torque distribution present between the front axle and the rear axle is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Kunz, Stefan Strengert
  • Patent number: 9561783
    Abstract: A braking apparatus for a vehicle is provided which includes a hydraulic booster to make wheels of the vehicle produce frictional braking force, a solenoid valve, and a collision avoidance controller. The solenoid valve selectively exerts the hydraulic pressure of brake fluid stored in an accumulator on a spool valve in the booster. When determining that there is a risk of a collision with an obstacle, the collision avoidance controller opens the solenoid valve to achieve emergency braking to minimize the risk of the collision. Basically, emergency braking is achieved by installing the solenoid valve to selectively exert the hydraulic pressure on the spool valve, thus allowing an emergency avoidance braking system to be constructed with a minimum of equipment and facilitating the mountability of the braking apparatus in the vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hironobu Yamashita, Takahiro Yamaguchi, Kiyohito Takeuchi, Yasuhiro Sasaki, Junji Ishimura, Atsushi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9554559
    Abstract: The towed roping dummy shock absorption apparatus provides for an apparatus designed to be inserted between a pulling vehicle and a towed roping dummy when practicing team roping from horseback. The apparatus provides for modulation of jerks and forces on the dummy that cause strain on the vehicle, dummy and horse, as well as providing for more consistent speed when being towed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventor: John Nolan McCarthy
  • Patent number: 9555785
    Abstract: A brake fluid pressure control unit for a vehicle comprises: a hydraulic block that includes a housing containing an internal channel for a first system and an internal channel for a second system, which individually allow communication with a wheel cylinder for a first wheel and a wheel cylinder for a second wheel respectively, and also containing a detected hydraulic pressure inlet hole leading to a pressure receiving part of a pressure sensor. A first hole included in the internal channel for the first system and a second hole included in the internal channel for the second system can selectively be connected to the detected hydraulic pressure inlet hole by machining such that the depth of either the first hole or the second hole is made greater than the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Otake
  • Patent number: 9545832
    Abstract: A switchable locking torque strut assembly and associated method are provided. The strut assembly is interposed between an associated vehicle chassis and an associated vehicle powertrain to provide high elastomeric rate resistance during start-up and/or shutdown of an associated internal combustion engine (ICE) and low elastomeric rate resistance during idle and/or driving events. The strut assembly includes a housing and a shaft at least partially received in the housing and operatively mounted for selective relative movement relative to the housing. A locking assembly is interposed between the strut and the housing for selectively locking the strut relative to the housing in response to start-up and/or shutdown of the ICE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: COOPER-STANDARD AUTOMOTIVE INC.
    Inventors: Jeff Bradshaw, Steve Telando
  • Patent number: 9541154
    Abstract: A rotary damper for a motor vehicle includes at least one damper element for damping the relative movement of a first mass located on the wheel-suspension side and of a second mass located on the vehicle-body side, with at least one vibration absorber (8) being arranged on the rotary damper (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Marco Willems
  • Patent number: 9534649
    Abstract: A friction brake device has a brake rotor which rotates around a rotation axis, brake pads as rotating friction members which rotate around an autorotation axis parallel to the rotation axis, rotational torque transmission devices which mutually transmit rotational torques between the brake rotor and the brake pads without depending on the friction force between the brake rotor and the brake pads, and pressing devices which press the brake pads against the brake rotor. The pressing devices press the brake pads against the brake rotor by way of non-rotating friction members which are supported so as not to rotate around the autorotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Isono
  • Patent number: 9527490
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control device for an electrically-driven vacuum pump. The control device stops operation of an electrically-driven vacuum pump for generating negative pressure in a negative pressure chamber of a brake booster when the vacuum pump is operated and a gradient of increasing of a booster negative pressure representing a magnitude of a difference between pressure in the negative pressure chamber and the atmospheric pressure is smaller than or equal to a predetermined stop gradient threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihide Sekiya, Shoji Ozaki
  • Patent number: 9528563
    Abstract: A hydraulic vehicle brake with a parking brake device, in particular for motor vehicles, includes a brake housing in which a hydraulic service pressure chamber is delimited by a brake piston, wherein hydraulic pressure fluid can be applied to the hydraulic service pressure chamber for carrying out service brake operations so that the brake piston is actuatable along a longitudinal piston axis in order to achieve a braking effect. The parking brake device acts on the brake piston with an actuating device, which actuates a rolling-element ramp-type gear with an electromechanical actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Jurgen Balz, Hans Olms, Georg Halasy-Wimmer, Volker Knop, Jurgen Volkel, Thomas Winkler