Patents Examined by Justin Krause
  • Patent number: 9091334
    Abstract: A linear actuator comprises a drive unit housing (10) with a drive unit (7, 8) arranged therein, a driveshaft (1), hollow on the inside, driven by the drive unit (7, 8), and a profile tube (2) non-rotatably and longitudinally movably connected on the outside to the driveshaft (1). A threaded hollow spindle (3) with an outside thread is arranged between the driveshaft (1) and the profile tube (2) and fixedly connected to the drive unit housing (10). A hollow-spindle nut (4) is fixedly connected to the profile tube (2) at a first end of the profile tube (2) and cooperates with the outside thread of the threaded hollow spindle (3). A spindle nut (6) is fixedly connected to the profile tube (2) at a second end thereof. A threaded spindle (5) is arranged in the interior of the driveshaft (1) and cooperates with a thread of the spindle nut (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: LOGICDATA ELECTRONIC & SOFTWARE ENTWICKLUNGS GMBH
    Inventors: Daniel Kollreider, Lukas Leonhartsberger
  • Patent number: 9080664
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a shift lever operating force transferring device of a manual transmission. The device includes a shift cable that connects a shift lever with a control shaft. Furthermore, the shift cable absorbs vibration and shock transmitted to the shift lever. Additionally, the device includes a bush insertion groove in which a select bush 32 is inserted and a closing member configured to seal the bush insertion groove from the exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Won Jin Jeong, Woo Deok Kim, Deok Ki Kim
  • Patent number: 9079316
    Abstract: A length-adjustable mechanical arm includes: a base; a first arm unit having one end formed with a first pivot portion pivoted to the base, and another end formed with a second pivot portion, a second arm unit pivoted to the first arm unit includes a pivot member, an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve and an accessory mounting seat. The length of the second arm unit of the mechanical arm is adjustable by adjusting the inner and outer sleeves, and the second arm unit is switchable between an extended position and a retracted position. Therefore, the mechanical arm can be used for two distance operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: HIWIN TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
    Inventors: Yueh-Ling Chiu, Wu-Teng Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9080670
    Abstract: A power transmission device for a vehicle configured with a rotary power member, and a mechanism configured with a plurality of operational states. A switching shaft changes the operational state of the operating mechanism and is moved by an electric actuator. A control transmission transmits the power from the actuator to the shaft. The housing for the rotary member includes is configured so that the switching shaft projects outwards from the housing. The electric actuator is arranged at a location facing, of a surface of the housing portion of the case, a portion that does not overlap another portion where the switching shaft projects, when viewed in the axial direction of the rotational axis of the rotary member. A part of the actuator is arranged on a case side relative to a vertical line passing through the portion where the switching shaft projects from the housing portion of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuya Komatsu, Tomoo Atarashi, Tatsuya Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9080543
    Abstract: The combustion engine starter with output pinion (18) comprises a front bearing (12) provided with a front face (120) having an opening (312), a drive assembly equipped with a bush (26) passing through the opening (312) and bearing the output pinion (18) outside the front bearing (12), complementary splines (67,167). A groove (64, 164) interrupts the splines (67) of the bush (26) in order to mount a stop (60, 160) for immobilizing the pinion, a play-compensating spring (61) urging the pinion into contact with the stop (60, 160) formed by a spring ring which has a height greater than its thickness and which is housed with radial clearance at least partially in an annular recess (62) made in the front face (183) of the pinion (18); the internal periphery of the spring ring (60, 160) being mounted in the groove (64, 164) in the bush (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur
    Inventors: Guillaume Seillier, Laurent Boisserenq
  • Patent number: 9073204
    Abstract: An output member is connected with an input member through three sets of link mechanisms for alteration in attitude. The link mechanism includes end portion link mechanisms on an input side and an output side, respectively, and an intermediate link member. The link mechanism is such that a geometric model of each of the link members expressed by lines represents such a shape as an input side portion and an output side portion relative to a center of the intermediate link member are symmetrical with each other. By actuating two or more sets of the link mechanisms by means of a link mechanism drive source, the attitude of the output member is controlled. Through the inside of an arrangement of the link mechanisms, a flexible wire is provided for transmitting a rotational force in a direction of arrangement of the input and output members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Isobe, Takayoshi Ozaki
  • Patent number: 9073216
    Abstract: In a joint mechanism having at least one joint member connected to a connectable member via a joint to be rotatable in a range between an extended position and a bent position, it is configured to have a movable cover constituting a part of a joint member cover that covers the joint member and the movable cover is moved into interior of remaining portion of the joint member cover as the joint member is rotated relative to the connectable member about the joint from the extended position to the bent position. The joint mechanism can be suitably used in fingers of a hand of a humanoid robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9074677
    Abstract: A carrier assembly includes an adjustment member with a threaded attachment surface that is threadably attached to a mating threaded surface of a housing. The threaded attachment surface is formed on the adjustment member between first and second pilot surfaces, which allows the adjustment member to be selectively rotated to adjust a position of the adjustment member relative to the housing to set a desired carrier characteristic without requiring shims or spacers. The adjustment member also includes a splined outer surface that engages a splined lock member to lock the adjustment member to the housing once the desired carrier characteristic has been set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Robert J. Martin, III
  • Patent number: 9068596
    Abstract: A rotating hub and fixed spindle assembly with first and second fluid dynamic journal bearings and first and second fluid dynamic thrust bearings for a disc drive memory system has a pump seal and a radial ring seal at a first axial terminus for lubricant containment, and a capillary seal and a labyrinth seal at a second axial terminus for lubricant containment and storage. Lubricant fluid pressure differences between first and second seals are minimized through one or more lubricant fluid communicating channels in the hub assembly, in order to minimize lubricant fluid loss through a seal. Lubricant fluid can also be purged of any air bubbles by lubricant fluid circulation through the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Arnold LeBlanc, Troy Michael Herndon, Robert Nottingham, Alan Lyndon Grantz
  • Patent number: 9068628
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a robotic arm is provided including a linkage assembly and a strap drive train. The linkage assembly includes first, second, third, and fourth links pivotally coupled in series together at first, second, and third joints to define a parallelogram with an insertion axis. The strap drive train includes first and second sets of straps coupled to the linkage assembly. As the linkage assembly is moved about a pitch axis, the first set of straps ensures the third link maintains the same angle relative to the first link, and the first and second set of straps ensures the fourth link maintains the same angle relative to the second link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Todd R. Solomon, Thomas G. Cooper
  • Patent number: 9057425
    Abstract: A flexure support apparatus for providing multiple axes support to reciprocating members for an energy conversion process includes a base having a sleeved opening disposed therethrough a central portion of the base and a plurality of apertures also disposed therethrough the base that are positioned outside of the sleeved opening, also included in a plurality of flexible finger assemblies that are positioned in an offset manner on opposing sides of the base. Further included is a pair of piston assemblies that are disposed within opposing ends of the sleeved opening being supported by the plurality of flexible finger assemblies, wherein the piston assemblies move in opposing and equal amounts in reciprocating movement within the sleeved opening being supported and controlled by the plurality of flexible finger assemblies, thus the pair of piston assemblies are able to do compressive work on a fluid within the sleeve without bearings or seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Inventor: Paul Hendershott
  • Patent number: 9057350
    Abstract: In a starter, an output shaft is coaxially disposed with a rotating shaft of a motor and has male helical splines formed on its outer surface. A pinion tube has female helical splines formed on its inner surface and is fitted on the output shaft with the female helical splines in mesh with the male helical splines. A pinion is provided on a non-motor-side end portion of the pinion tube so as to rotate with the pinion tube. A shift lever is configured to shift both the pinion tube and the pinion relative to the output shaft and thereby bring the pinion into mesh with a ring gear of an engine. Further, there is provided means for restricting relative rotation between the pinion tube and the output shaft when a one-way clutch is in an overrun state where the clutch inhibits torque transmission from the output shaft to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuma Koudu, Akina Kuwada
  • Patent number: 9054562
    Abstract: A geared motor may include a motor and a gear mechanism for transmitting rotation of the motor. The gear mechanism includes an output gear which outputs rotation of the motor and a gear in a preceding stage which is connected with the output gear through another gear and the output gear is formed with a first positioning part showing an angular position of the output gear and the gear in the preceding stage is formed with a second positioning part showing an angular position of the gear in the preceding stage. After an assembling angular position of the output gear and an assembling angular position of the gear in the preceding stage have been determined, another gear is assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mamoru Yamaoka
  • Patent number: 9051998
    Abstract: A motor and a gear unit form an actuator. The gear unit is fitted with at least two mutually movable gear parts, acted on by a spring that counteracts their movement out of an idle state. The gear unit is fitted with at least one manual actuator that when actuated switches the motor off, disengages two mutually interacting gear wheels of the at least two gear parts and forces the at least two gear parts into the idle state. When the motor moves the gear parts out of the idle state during operation to an operating point, a cam plate on a first gear part is contacted by a sensor element on a second gear part, and the spring acts on the first and second gear parts during the movement out of the idle state in accordance with a position on the cam plate of the sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Jörg Hindermann, Andreas Pally
  • Patent number: 9046173
    Abstract: A transmission driving device that is capable of preventing displacement of a shift operation member or a select operation member in a case where there is reverse input in the shift operation member or the select operation member by inhibiting rotation of a rotation member which is released from an input shaft. When an input shaft and a first rotor are connected, the first electromagnetic coil is an excitation state and a second electromagnetic coil is in a non-excitation state. In this state, a second magnetic ring is not attracted to the side of the second electromagnetic coil, a seventh facing, which is fixed to the second magnetic ring, and an eighth facing are engaged with each other, and a second rotor and a casing are connected to each other. In a connection state of the second rotor and the casing, the second rotor cannot be rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki Kagawa, Yasuhiro Yukitake
  • Patent number: 9046165
    Abstract: A ball screw capable of thermal dissipation is formed of a screw rod, a screw nut, and a plurality of balls mounted between the screw rod and the screw nut. The screw nut includes a mounting surface. A thermoelectric cooler is mounted to the screw nut and includes a heat-absorptive surface and a heat-dissipative surface. The heat-absorptive surface is adhered to the mounting surface. Accordingly, the ball screw can cool the heat down and is structurally simple and the whole weight is not increased due to the thermoelectric cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: National Chung Cheng University
    Inventors: Yeau-Ren Jeng, Yu-Xian Huang
  • Patent number: 9046164
    Abstract: Disclosed is a shift lever for a vehicle transmission, which includes a rod provided in a mounting space to move linearly and having an upper part having an upper inclined surface and successive engaging grooves. An engaging protrusion is provided on an inner wall of a support section such that, when the rod moves, the engaging protrusion is engaged with one of the engaging grooves to afford a brisk, clear operation action when changing gears. A button is provided such that one end thereof extends to the inclined surface of the upper part of the rod, and another end thereof is exposed to the outside to enable that end to be pressed down to push the rod down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORP.
    Inventors: Jee Hyuck Choi, Eun Sik Kim, Jeong Seon Min, Hee Soo Yang, Bum Jun Kim, Yang Rae Cho, Dong Sik Jeong
  • Patent number: 9032828
    Abstract: In a shift lever device, a first engagement portion or a second engagement portion of a shift lever is inserted into a first stopping hole or a second stopping hole of a strength gate when the shift lever is turned along a manual transmission hole, thereby stopping the shift lever from turning towards an automatic transmission hole side. In the shift lever, the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are disposed at the vehicle front side and the vehicle rear side of a support body. An increase in size of the shift lever in the vehicle left-right direction due to the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion can accordingly be suppressed, and the turning rage of the shift lever in the vehicle left-right direction can be made smaller, thereby enabling a reduction in size of the shift lever device in the vehicle left-right direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Masahi Kato, Kenichi Kako, Hayato Mori, Kenji Nakanishi, Reiji Higuchi, Yoshifumi Iwasaki, Kenta Goto
  • Patent number: 9032834
    Abstract: A steering device is provided that is capable of facilitating an assembly operation, decreasing the number of parts, and decreasing manufacturing costs. A bottom plate of a stopper is tightened to an outer curved surface of an inner column between a head section and a bulged section of a rivet body. An outside diameter of the rivet body increases to eliminate a gap between a first through-hole and a second through-hole. The stopper remains stationary even when it touches a long hole at a telescopic stroke end and repeatedly receives an impact force. The durability of the stopper improves. There is no need for a nut for fixing the stopper to the inner column. The number of parts decreases to reduce manufacturing costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Inoue
  • Patent number: 9027429
    Abstract: An electronic shift lever includes a case through which a hollow is formed in a longitudinal direction. A shift lever cover covers the hollow and is connected to the case. A rod housing is located adjacent the bottom of the case where a through-pipe is disposed in a longitudinal direction. A rod is disposed in the through-pipe and slides frontward and rearward. A recognition sensor is disposed in a longitudinal direction at an inner lower side of the rod housing. Shift stage magnets are arranged in a longitudinal direction spaced apart from a lower side of the shift lever cover and are able to stop the rod temporarily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Eun-Sik Kim, Jeong-Seop Lee