Patents Examined by James J Taylor, II
  • Patent number: 12146557
    Abstract: A differential includes two magnetic gears each having an internal rotor, an external rotor, and a rotor of the ferromagnetic poles interposed between the internal and the external rotors. The internal rotor, the external rotor and the rotor of the ferromagnetic pole are coaxial and rotate about a gear axis. The internal rotors are connected to a drive, to be placed in rotation about a respective gear axis by the drive. With external rotors suitable for being connected to respective output semi-axes for placing them in rotation, the rotors of the ferromagnetic poles are connected to adjustment means suitable for adjusting the rotation speed of the rotors of the ferromagnetic poles. With external rotors connected to adjustment means suitable for adjusting their rotation speed, the rotors of the ferromagnetic poles are connected to respective output semi-axes for placing them in rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: EuroGroup Laminations S.p.A.
    Inventors: Mattia Filippini, Piergiorgio Alotto, Maurizio Repetto, Elvio Bonisoli, Vincenzo Cirimele
  • Patent number: 12140189
    Abstract: A shifting device (1) for the powertrain of a motor vehicle, including a control shaft (10) for adjusting a control element (9), the control shaft (10) has a first sub-section (15) which can be driven by an actuator (36) and a second sub-section (16) which is designed to adjust the control element (9). The first sub-section (15) is rotatably mounted relative to the second sub-section (16). A spring element (11), via which a torque of the first sub-section (15) can be transmitted to the second sub-section (16), is provided between the two sub-sections (15, 16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jochen Loeffelmann, Viktor Ruder, Felix Reuss, Thomas Huemmer, Alexander Wagner, Alexander Wirth
  • Patent number: 12135062
    Abstract: A shaft coupler having first and second spindles adapted to be secured to a first and second output shafts of first and second motors, respectively. A locker ring is assembled to the first spindle, and a locker carrier is assembled to the second spindle. A coil is carried by the locker carrier and switches between an energized state wherein the coil shifts the locker ring to slide into engagement with the second spindle to lock the first and second output shafts together, and a deenergized state wherein a spring biases the locker ring out of engagement with the second spindle to unlock the first and second output shafts from each other. A first set of locking teeth are disengaged from a second set of locking teeth when the coil is deenergized, and are engaged when the coil is energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaoduan Tang, David Allen Janson, Steven Anatole Frait, Gregory Daniel Goleski
  • Patent number: 12129915
    Abstract: A locking differential assembly includes a differential case defining an axis of rotation. A lock collar is selectably engageable with a first side gear to selectably prevent the first side gear and a second side gear from rotating relative to the differential case. A coil disposed at an end of the differential case. An armature selectably magnetically actuatable by the coil. An armature position indicator arm rigidly attached to the armature for simultaneous movement with the armature. At least two relay pin assemblies are each connected to the lock collar and connected to the armature to space the lock collar a predetermined distance from the armature for translation parallel to the axis of rotation. A sensor connected to the differential case to detect a proximity of the armature position indicator arm to the sensor and to output an electrically detectable signal indicative of an engagement status of the lock collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Rupesh Madhukar Surve, Aniket Khanderao Yadav
  • Patent number: 12117073
    Abstract: A differential disconnect system for a vehicle includes a housing arranged to receive a motor torque, a first clutch element, and a differential. The housing includes radially inwardly facing teeth and the first clutch element is drivingly engaged with and axially slidable on the radially inwardly facing teeth. The first clutch element includes a first face spline. The differential unit is arranged for driving engagement with a pair of axle shafts and includes a second clutch element with a second face spline arranged to engage the first face spline for selective torque transmission between the housing and the differential unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Brian Lee, Michael Hodge
  • Patent number: 12117072
    Abstract: A drivetrain component provides an electronically controlled, overrunning drivetrain disconnect. The drivetrain component includes a case having an annular wall portion with a plurality of pockets in one side. The carrier is supported for movement relative to and independently of the case. The carrier includes a notch plate. The differential gear set has a pinion shaft tied to the carrier, pinion gears mounted on the pinion shaft, differential gears engaging the pinion gears, and differential gear shafts connected to the differential gears. The drivetrain component includes a first locking structure and a second locking structure. Both the first and second locking structures are on the same side of the notch plate. The first locking structure couples the case to the carrier for torque transmission from the case to the carrier in a first direction only, wherein the first locking structure does not inhibit carrier rotation in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Erickson, Earl A. Getchel, Conner S. Jurs
  • Patent number: 12117052
    Abstract: In an aspect, a decoupler is provided and includes an input member, an output member, a one-way clutch and an isolation spring. The one-way clutch receives torque from the input member. The isolation spring is helical, having a first helical end and a second helical end, and has first and second axial ends, and radially outer and inner surfaces. The isolation spring receives torque from the clutch, and transmits torque to the output member. The isolation spring changes size radially based on torque. The input member includes a radial projection that is positioned to frictionally engage one of the radially outer and inner surfaces of the spring when the spring reaches a selected size. Frictional engagement of the radial projection with the spring generates torque transfer directly from the input member to the spring in parallel with torque transfer from the input member to the spring through the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Maryam Talimi, Robert Ian Boersema
  • Patent number: 12110953
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a locking differential are provided. The locking differential system includes an electromagnetic solenoid actuator designed to induce locking and unlocking of the differential and a circuit board assembly designed to programmatically control the locking and unlocking functionality. The circuit board assembly includes a sensor and control circuity enclosed in a continuous sealed enclosure, the sensor extends down the face of a coil assembly in the solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Perry M. Paielli, Michael Z. Creech, Sagar B. Bangar
  • Patent number: 12104654
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for measuring the wear condition due to friction in a clutch system, which is widely used in the automotive industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Inventors: Caner Eş, ibrahim Can Kaymaz, Ömer Yildiz, Orhan Karabulut, Ulaşcan Kurt
  • Patent number: 12104657
    Abstract: An axle decoupler system comprises: an axle decoupler configured to selectively couple an axle of a vehicle with a wheel hub of the vehicle, the axle decoupler comprising: a sliding ring having first splines coupled to second splines on the axle, the sliding ring having a first position where the first splines are not also coupled to third splines on the wheel hub, and a second position where the first splines are also coupled to the third splines; and an electric motor for moving the sliding ring into the first or second position; and a one-way clutch coupling the axle and the wheel hub to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Atieva, Inc.
    Inventors: Azat Suleimenov, Jiajun Wu, Balazs Palfai
  • Patent number: 12104683
    Abstract: Disclosed is a torque converter. A torque converter according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a front cover, an impeller assembly coupled to the front cover and configured to rotate together with the front cover, a turbine assembly disposed at a position facing the impeller assembly, a lock-up clutch including a piston configured to directly connect the front cover and the turbine assembly, and a torsional damper coupled to the lock-up clutch and configured to absorb impact and vibration applied in a rotation direction, in which a turbine shell provided in the turbine assembly may further include at least one damper connection part protruding in an axial direction toward the torsional damper and bent to be coupled to the torsional damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: VALEO KAPEC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Heesik Son
  • Patent number: 12092166
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus includes a clutch connected to an output shaft to rotate a wheel of a vehicle, and a clutch pressure plate movable between an operating position where driving and driven clutch plates are pressed against each other so as to enable transmission of a driving force of an engine to the wheel and a non-operating position where a pressing force exerted on the driving and driven clutch plates is released so as to cut off transmission of the driving force of the engine to the wheel. One of the driven clutch plates is attached to a second clutch, and another is attached to the clutch pressure plate. The clutch pressure plate includes an oil flow passage through which oil flows to the driven clutch plate attached to the clutch pressure plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA F.C.C.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Ozawa, Han Hiong Chen, Katsu Yoshimoto
  • Patent number: 12092211
    Abstract: Provided is an axially-limited guide device applied in a parking mechanism. The parking mechanism includes a parking pawl and a parking shift fork that is axially movable. The guide device includes a parking bracket assembly and a guide block. The guide block is configured to be slidably engaged with an execution member at an end of the parking shift fork to allow for a relative rotation of the parking pawl and a rotary shaft. The parking bracket assembly is configured to axially limit the parking pawl and guide the parking shift fork. The parking bracket assembly includes a limiting portion abutting against the guide block. The limiting portion is configured to limit an axial movement of the guide block when the execution member at the end of the parking shift fork is axially disengaged from the guide block. Also provided are a parking mechanism and an automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignees: ZHEJIANG GEELY HOLDING GROUP CO., LTD, GEELY CHANGXING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CO., LTD, ZHEJIANG GEELY POWER ASSEMBLY CO., LTD., NINGBO GEELY ROYAL ENGINE COMPONENTS CO., LTD., NINGBO UMD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CO. LTD
    Inventors: Chaoyang Zou, Chuang Yu, Yanjun Tan, Xiaozhe Lin, Ruiping Wang, Conghui An
  • Patent number: 12085158
    Abstract: A drive device capable of suppressing the complication of the device configuration in order to realize a plurality of operation modes is provided. A drive device includes a drive source, a first differential mechanism, a second differential mechanism, a switching mechanism, and a casing. The differential mechanism includes a first side gear connected to a left wheel, a first case connected to the drive source, and a second side gear. The second differential mechanism includes a third side gear connected to a right wheel, a second case, and a fourth side gear connected to the second side gear. The switching mechanism switches the casing, the first case, the second side gear, and the fourth side gear to a connection state and a non-connection state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Keiichi Ohiso
  • Patent number: 12078220
    Abstract: Provided is a clutch unit in which an output-side outer ring member is attached to a base plate without welding. A clutch unit (100) includes an output-side clutch (60) and a housing (11) that accommodates the output-side clutch (60). The output-side clutch (60) includes an output-side outer ring member (62). The output-side outer ring member (62) and the housing (11) have an engagement protrusion (62s) and an engagement groove (11s) that engage with each other to restrict relative rotation therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignees: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kunihiro Mikasa, Yasumasa Hibi, Kyohei Sasanuma, Shaoluan Bian
  • Patent number: 12072001
    Abstract: An axle drive for a vehicle includes at least one drivable vehicle axle oriented transversely to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A drive shaft extends parallel with the longitudinal direction and receives drive power from an electric motor at an input section and outputs said drive power at an output section. A driven shaft extends parallel with the drive shaft and receives drive power from the output section of the drive shaft at an input section and outputs said drive power to the vehicle axle via a bevel gear arranged at a first end of the driven shaft. A brake, in particular a parking brake, includes a brake disk arranged at a second end of the driven shaft and between the input section of the drive shaft and the input section of the driven shaft with respect to the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Kessler & Co. GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Günter Bittlingmaier
  • Patent number: 12066088
    Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission system includes a reduction device having at least an output shaft including a first gearwheel and a second gearwheel. A differential drive device is configured to distribute the torque from the reduction device to two half-shafts. The differential drive device includes a coupling device which, in a coupled position, transmits torque between a first element and a second element of the differential drive device, the coupling device further including an actuator. A radial plane, orthogonal to the axes X and W, passes through the first gearwheel and through the coupling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: VALEO EMBRAYAGES
    Inventors: Roel Verhoog, Michael Hennebelle
  • Patent number: 12055187
    Abstract: A wet multi-plate clutch includes a plate carrier with a pair of fluid passage openings and a friction plate rotationally fixed and axially displaceable relative to the plate carrier. The friction plate has a carrier element and a pair friction pads fastened to the carrier element and delimiting a groove. The groove includes a groove geometrical center line. The groove geometrical center line may extend radially through a one of the pair of fluid passage openings, or it may extend radially between the pair of fluid passage openings. If the groove geometrical center line extend radially between the pair of fluid passage openings, one of the pair of friction pads may include a pad geometrical center line extending along a radial extent through a one of the pair of fluid passage openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Denda, Stefan Steinmetz, Florian Krebs, Jens Kramer, Laurent Ineichen, Tobias Hebgen
  • Patent number: 12055189
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a positive clutch that has a high rigidity and simple structure, reduces friction loss, prevents noise generation, allows a size reduction, and helps extend a service life. The object is achieved by the following configuration: Roller support parts are formed on one of an outer circumferential surface of the inner race and an inner circumferential surface of the outer race, and pocket parts are formed on the other one of the inner race and outer race. The clutch is configured to stop relative rotation of the inner race and outer race by holding the rollers, which are disposed between the inner race and the outer race, between the roller support parts and pocket parts in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: SUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventor: Yuji Kurematsu
  • Patent number: 12049954
    Abstract: A planet carrier ring sun gear assembly for a transmission device with at least two planetary gears of a wheel hub drive for a vehicle is described. The planet carrier ring sun gear assembly may include a planet carrier ring of a first planetary gear. The planet carrier ring may be configured to support a plurality of planet gear wheels of the first planetary gear and a sun gear of a second planetary gear. The planet carrier ring and the sun gear may form a monolithic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Robin Haase, Matthias Koop, Jan Pruegner