Patents Examined by Lillian T Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11754159
    Abstract: An axle center transmission for transmitting a driving torque received from a drive device to two half shafts of an axle comprises a transmission gearing for transmitting a driving torque received at an input element and having at least two selectively switchable gear transmission ratios and a differential for distributing the transmitted driving torque to two output elements. The transmission gearing has a first gear formed as a planetary transmission having a first sun gear, a first planet carrier having planet gears, and a first annulus gear. The transmission gearing furthermore has a second gear formed as a planetary transmission having a second sun gear, a second planet carrier having planet gears, and a second annulus gear. The first sun gear forms said input element; the first planet carrier is stationary; and the second sun gear is couplable or coupled to the first annulus gear for a common rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: KESSLER & CO. GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Bauer
  • Patent number: 11752861
    Abstract: Methods and systems for an electric drive axle of a vehicle are provided. A gear train in an electric drive axle system includes, in one example, an input shaft configured to rotationally couple to an electric motor-generator and including a first gear and an intermediate shaft including a second gear rotationally coupled to the first gear and a third gear and a fourth gear each configured to rotationally couple to a separate gear on an output shaft. In this example, the second gear, the third gear, and the fourth gear have different sizes, the third gear includes an axial extension having at outer surface, and an interior surface of the second gear circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the outer surface of the axial extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventor: Eric M. Engerman
  • Patent number: 11746856
    Abstract: A shiftable planetary transmission (1) includes a planet carrier (2), a plurality of planet gears (3) rotatably arranged at the planet carrier (2), a sun gear (4), and a ring gear (5). The sun gear (4) and the ring gear (5) mesh with the planet gears (3). The planet carrier (2) includes at least one connecting element (6), which is axially displaceable therein. The at least one connecting element (6), on a first side of the planet carrier (2), is at least indirectly connected to an actuator (7) and, on a second side of the planet carrier (2), is at least indirectly connected to a first dog element (8). The first dog element (8) is displaceable, by an actuator actuation, between a first shift position and at least a second shift position due to an axial displacement of the at least one connecting element (6) in the planet carrier (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Fabian Kutter, Matthias Horn, Stefan Beck, Johannes Kaltenbach, Uwe Griesmeier, Thomas Martin, Peter Ziemer
  • Patent number: 11692615
    Abstract: Methods and systems for an electric drive axle of a vehicle are provided. An electric drive axle system includes, in one example, a gear train configured to rotationally attach to an electric motor-generator. The gear train includes an output shaft rotationally coupled to a first planetary gear assembly axially offset from an input shaft rotationally coupled to the electric motor-generator, the first planetary gear assembly configured to removably couple to a differential arranged co-axial with an axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Eric M. Engerman, Mitchell R. Lawson
  • Patent number: 11692594
    Abstract: Provided are a wet friction plate and a wet multiplate clutch device including the wet friction plates capable of improving the performance for discharging lubricant oil adhering to surfaces of friction members. A wet friction plate includes oil grooves and friction members on a flat plate annular core metal. At a surface of a porous layer of the friction member, a friction slide surface and lubricant oil recessed portions are formed. The lubricant oil recessed portion has no sharp portion in a pointed shape, such as a corner portion, and is formed with a smooth continuous surface. The multiple lubricant oil recessed portions depressed in a recessed shape with respect to the friction slide surface are formed. In the porous layer, hollow portions are formed to have the same formation rate between a portion forming the friction slide surface and a portion forming the lubricant oil recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventors: Kazuya Uehara, Masatoshi Miyagawa, Nobuyuki Katayama
  • Patent number: 11685245
    Abstract: A power transmission device including: a motor to drive a rotary shaft; a first reducer connected to the rotary shaft to reduce rotational angular velocity of the rotary shaft; a second reducer connected to the rotary shaft to reduce rotational angular velocity of the rotary shaft; a first clutch disposed between the rotary shaft and the first reducer to connect and disconnect the rotary shaft and the first reducer; a second clutch disposed between the rotary shaft and the second reducer to connect and disconnect the rotary shaft and the second reducer; and a third clutch disposed outside the second reducer to connect and disconnect the second reducer and an external component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kyung Won Han
  • Patent number: 11686374
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a work vehicle includes a housing arrangement, a drive shaft rotatable in first and second clock directions, and a two-stage planetary gear set coupled to the drive shaft. The gear set includes, or is coupled to, an output element. First and second clutch arrangements are configured to selectively engage the gear set to effect first and second gear ratios, respectively. A step ratio from the first gear ratio and the second gear ratio is 3:1. At least one first actuator and at least one second actuator are configured to effect movement of the first and second clutch arrangements, respectively, to selectively engage the gear set. The drive shaft and the output element rotate in a same clock direction with the first clutch arrangement engaged with the gear set, and in opposite clock directions with the second clutch arrangement engaged with the gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Clayton G. Janasek, Lisa R. Lloyd
  • Patent number: 11686373
    Abstract: A multiple speed transmission includes an input member, an output member, first, second, third and fourth planetary gearsets each having first, second and third members, and a plurality of interconnecting members each connected between at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gearsets and at least another of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gearsets. The transmission includes a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms between the input and output members, wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least four to establish at least ten forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.
    Inventor: Rayman E. Bazilio
  • Patent number: 11686376
    Abstract: Connecting section for a two-part hub that support a driven shaft of a hybrid drive module having a first hub section and a second hub section. The connecting section can be arranged coaxially with the first hub section and the second hub section and can be arranged between the first hub section and the second hub section. The connecting section is designed as a sliding bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Monika Rößner, Gerald Viernekes
  • Patent number: 11686375
    Abstract: A gear unit for a powertrain of a motor vehicle includes a drive shaft, a driven shaft, first and second planetary gearsets and first and second shifting elements. The first shifting element drivingly connects the drive shaft to an input of the first planetary gearset, and the second shifting element drivingly connects the drive shaft to an input of the second planetary gearset. An output element of the second planetary gearset is connected to the input of the first planetary gearset to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it, and an output of the first planetary gearset is at least indirectly drivingly connected to the driven shaft. A shared element is fixed with respect to relative rotation and, with an inner toothing, forms a ring gear of the first planetary gearset and, with an outer toothing, forms a sun gear of the second planetary gearset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Stefan Beck
  • Patent number: 11673463
    Abstract: Methods and systems for an electric motor system are provided. In one example, a motor system is provided which comprises a first electric machine rotationally coupled to a second electric machine by a planetary gear set that has three components: a ring gear, a sun gear, and a carrier with a plurality of planet gears. In the system, the first electric machine varies in size from the second electric machine and one of the planetary assembly components is permanently grounded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Langston H. Corn, Mark A. Davis, Jordan M. Houser, Darren J. Ziskovsky
  • Patent number: 11674566
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a multi-speed electric axle assembly with three gear ratios. The multi-speed electric axle assembly includes one or more power supplies, one or more shafts operatively coupled to the one or more power supplies and a differential, and one or more Ravigneaux gear assemblies integrated with the one or more shafts. The one or more Ravigneaux gear assemblies of the multi-speed electric axle assembly providing the three gear ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew T. Brammer, Michael D. Cook, Jordan M. Houser
  • Patent number: 11668353
    Abstract: Provided are a method for manufacturing a wet friction plate, whereby efficiency of the work of forming a fine groove on a friction material can be improved, the wet friction plate, and a wet multiple-plate clutch device having the wet friction plate. In the method for manufacturing a wet friction plate 200, a core metal 201 and a friction material 210 are prepared, a resin layer 203 is formed on the core metal, the friction material is attached onto the resin layer, and a fine groove 211 is formed in the friction material. Specifically, irradiation of a laser beam L is started on an exposed portion 205 of the core metal. A laser head 301 is displaced in an annular shape while continuously emitting the laser beam. Thus, annular fine grooves 204 and 211 are formed in the exposed portion of the core metal and the friction material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventors: Shintaro Yagi, Katsumasa Kiuchi
  • Patent number: 11639741
    Abstract: Provided are a wet friction plate and a wet multiplate clutch device capable of reduction drag torque while suppressing a decrease in the area of a friction member. The wet friction plate includes multiple friction members through oil grooves on a flat plate annular core metal. The friction member has first fine grooves opening at an inner peripheral edge of the friction member and extending to an outer peripheral edge side and second fine grooves opening at an outer peripheral edge of the friction member and extending to an inner peripheral edge side. The first fine groove and the second fine groove are formed to have a groove width of equal to or greater than 0.1 mm and equal to or less than 0.8 mm, and overlap portions overlapping with each other in a circumferential direction at the same position in a radial direction of the core metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventors: Junichi Fukada, Junya Shirai, Masayuki Tsuchiya, Yusuke Miura
  • Patent number: 11635129
    Abstract: A torque converter disposed between a prime mover and an output shaft is disclosed. The torque converter includes a cover, an impeller, a turbine, and a first clutch. The impeller is unitarily rotated with the cover. The turbine is disposed opposite to the impeller. The first clutch is configured to allow and block transmitting power outputted from the prime mover to the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 11628715
    Abstract: A shift control method for an automated manual transmission (AMT) of a vehicle includes: when a shift operation is started, a torque of the second motor is increased so that a change in an output torque of the output shaft due to a change in a torque of the first motor is minimized while the torque of the first motor is being decreased. According to the shift control method, the increased torque of the second motor is maintained to be constant while controlling transmission release, speed synchronization, and transmission coupling. After the control over the transmission coupling is completed, the torque of the second motor is controlled so that the output torque of the output shaft follows a predetermined target torque while the torque of the first motor is controlled to be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ah Ram Lee, Kwon Su Shin, Jae Joon Lee, Jong Sool Park, Jin Young Hwang
  • Patent number: 11607954
    Abstract: A hybrid power transmission mechanism includes an engine; a motor/generator having a rotor and a stator; a driven machine; a planetary gear mechanism having a sun gear, an internal gear drivingly connected to the rotor, a planetary gear, and a planetary carrier shaft including first and second extension shaft parts extending from the planetary gear in opposite directions; a first clutch switchable between a state of allowing transmission of power between the first shaft and the internal gear and a state of not allowing transmission of power therebetween; and a second clutch switchable between a state of allowing rotation of the sun gear and a state of not allowing rotation thereof. A first shaft that outputs power of the engine and a second shaft that inputs power to the driven machine are drivingly connected to the first and second extension shaft parts of the planetary carrier shaft, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sumio Yagyu
  • Patent number: 11578766
    Abstract: A wet friction disc includes a lubrication groove and a plurality of lands defined by the lubrication groove. The lubrication groove has a plurality of circumferential groove portions that extends in a circumferential direction and has a predetermined groove width in a radial direction, and a plurality of intersecting groove portions that extends in directions intersecting the circumferential direction. At least some of the circumferential groove portions have an arc shape such that an end in the circumferential direction is located adjacent to one of the lands in the circumferential direction and that the groove width is entirely contained within a range in the radial direction spanned by that land.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshiki Takeuchi, Hiroshi Takuno, Kazuaki Kamimura, Takeshi Nakamura, Takahiro Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 11572938
    Abstract: Transmission system for a vehicle having an input arranged for connection to a drive source, and an output arranged for connection to a load. The transmission includes a transmission. The transmission includes first input shaft, a first output shaft connected to the output, and a first speed transforming gear connecting the first input shaft and the first output shaft, and a second input shaft, a second output shaft connected to the output, and a second speed transforming gear connecting the second input shaft and the second output shaft. The transmission includes a first coupling member, arranged for coupling the input to the first input shaft at a first speed ratio and a second coupling member, arranged for coupling the input to the second input shaft at a second speed ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Punch Powertrain PSA E-Transmissions N.V.
    Inventor: Roell Marie Van Druten
  • Patent number: 11524564
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus for a hybrid vehicle of which a second motor shaft gear of a second motor-generator is disposed on one side of a second motor shaft disposed in parallel with the first motor shaft, includes a planetary gear set disposed on the first motor shaft and including one rotation element and the other rotation element are fixedly connected to the engine output shaft and the first motor shaft, respectively, and one remaining rotation element is engaged to the other rotation element, and the planetary gear set in which a drive gear is connected to the remaining rotation element through a one-way clutch, and an output shaft disposed in parallel between the engine output shaft and the second motor shaft, externally gear-engaged with each of the drive gear and the second motor shaft gear through a driven gear fixedly connected to one side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignees: Hyunda Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Seong Wook Hwang, Tae Whan Kim, Youngbae Ryu, Jong Hyo Park, Hyung-Min Kim, Juhyeon Park, Yongdal Choi, Jaewook Lee, Wonmin Cho