Patents Examined by Marlon Arce
  • Omni-direction wheel system and methods for controlling the omni-direction wheel system
    Patent number: 11267283
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an omni-direction wheel system and methods for controlling the omni-direction wheel system. The omni-direction wheel system includes a plurality of suspension systems that operate independently of one another. Each suspension system may include an electromagnetic steering hub configured to rotate a wheel 360 degrees about a vertical axis based on a polarity of an electromagnetic signal applied to the electromagnetic steering hub. The suspension system may further include an in-wheel motor configured to rotate with the wheel and drive the wheel about a horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ricky Jukuei Hsu
  • Vehicle control system, vehicle control method, and electric power steering system
    Patent number: 11260900
    Abstract: A motor torque control section switches a change rate of a motor torque for approximating the motor torque to an assist torque according to relationship between the motor torque of an electric motor and the assist torque and according to a change in a turning angle, after automatic steering is cancelled according to a steering torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Ueno, Hiroshi Ito, Takashi Tsutsui
  • Pedal powered motor-assisted riding golf bag cart/cycle
    Patent number: 11260935
    Abstract: A pedal powered motor-assist golf bag cart/cycle (10) is a personal riding golf cart/cycle adapted to transport a rider and a golf bag (12) for use on a golf course. The cart/cycle (10) is generally symmetrical about a longitudinal plane (11) and includes a frame (14) with a seat (16), a front wheel and steering components (18), a rear wheel (20), an inclined bag support (22), a pedal subassembly (24), a motor assist subassembly (26), and controls (28). It is adapted to be propelled by either the pedal subassembly (24), the motor subassembly (26), or both together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Sun Mountain Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric W. Reimers, Michael J. Deden, Dale H. Truett
  • Steering system for a vehicle
    Patent number: 11260898
    Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle includes a drive motor having a motor shaft. The steering system also includes a first gear reduction stage for receiving a first rotational input from the motor shaft and providing a first rotational output. The steering system further includes a second gear reduction stage for receiving the first rotational output from the first gear reduction stage and providing a second rotational output. The second gear reduction stage may include at least one of a strain wave gearing, a worm drive, and a planetary gearing. The steering system includes an output shaft for receiving the second rotational output from the second gear reduction stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Kaufman
  • Transport system and method for autonomous work vehicles
    Patent number: 11254379
    Abstract: An autonomous work vehicle having a chassis, a power system disposed on the chassis, a field wheel system coupled to the chassis and the power system, and a hitch assembly. The power system is configured to power the autonomous work vehicle in an autonomous control mode. The field wheel system is configured to drive the autonomous work vehicle in a field in the autonomous control mode. The hitch assembly is configured to couple to a lead vehicle in a transport mode. The autonomous work vehicle may engage wheels of a transportation wheel system with a road to support the autonomous work vehicle on the road. The autonomous work vehicle may be coupled via the hitch assembly to the lead vehicle, then transported on a road. A brake system of the transportation wheel system may be coupled to the lead vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: Trevor Lawrence Kowalchuk
  • System and method for trailer alignment
    Patent number: 11247520
    Abstract: A vehicle maneuvering apparatus includes an imaging device configured to capture image data and a controller in communication with a vehicle maneuvering system. The controller is configured to identify a coupler position of a trailer in the image data and compare a coupler height of the coupler position with a hitch height of a hitch ball. In response to the coupler height being insufficient to clear the hitch height, the controller is further configured to calculate a target position laterally offset from the coupler position and communicate the target position to the vehicle maneuvering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Roger Arnold Trombley, George Edmund Walley
  • Driving device for an electric bicycle with electronic anti-theft device and method of control
    Patent number: 11242102
    Abstract: A driving device for an electric vehicle includes a pedal shaft, first and second electric motors, an output shaft, and a superposition transmission whose gear ratio is steplessly adjustable by way of the electric motors. The transmission also couples the pedal shaft and the output shaft to each other. A torque generated by the first electric motor and/or the second electric motor can be at least partially transmitted to the output shaft. The driving device further includes an electronic anti-theft device used to lock the bicycle. When locked, at least one of the electric motors is operable to generate a torque that counteracts a rotation of the pedal shaft in a forward direction of rotation to inhibit theft of the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Brose Antriebstechnik GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Berlin
    Inventor: Christfried Weigel
  • Harness assembly for towing a vehicle
    Patent number: 11235630
    Abstract: A harness assembly for towing a vehicle having a sling-like configuration that encloses an end of a towed vehicle and which is connected to a towing vehicle by elongated straps. Elongated towing straps have a first looped end attached to the cover and a second looped end attached to the towing vehicle. First and second flexible straps extend through the first looped end of the towing straps for releasably connecting the cover to the towing straps. First and second rope networks are part of the cover and consist of a plurality of ropes which merge at their ends to form a cord member and a loop through which the flexible straps extend. The towing straps are flexible and have a length greater than the length of the towed vehicle. The towing straps; the flexible straps; and the cover are made of a strong, durable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Inventor: Sam Cox, III
  • Cable accumulator
    Patent number: 11215218
    Abstract: A cable accumulator for a plurality of input cables and at least one output cable includes a bracket and a carrier member slidably coupled with the bracket. The carrier member includes a frame having a first end and a second end. The second end of the frame is coupled to the at least one output cable. A plurality of connecting members are slidably coupled with a pin member. The plurality of connecting members slide relative to the pin member independently of each other. Actuation of any one of the input cables causes the respective connecting member to pull the pin member to slide the carrier member relative to the bracket and to actuate the at least one output cable. Further, the respective connecting members coupled to non-actuated input cables slide relative to the pin member in response to actuation of any one of the plurality of input cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Husqvarna AB
    Inventor: Mark Wagner
  • Front-wheel suspension device for saddle riding vehicle
    Patent number: 11214330
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes: a front swing arm that includes upper arms and lower arms; a fork holder; a front fork; and a front cushion unit. The fork holder of a front-wheel suspension device includes a pair of left and right sideward extended portions which extend in the vehicle width direction. The front ends of the left and right upper arms are attached to the left and right sideward extended portions though connecting shafts, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki Inaizumi, Takahiro Taguma, Takayuki Kitayama, Konomu Hoshi, Hirotaka Nagatani
  • Car control method and system
    Patent number: 11214292
    Abstract: A control method and system to control a car; the following steps are carried out: determining a position of a joystick, which is designed to be grabbed by a hand of a driver of the car; adjusting a longitudinal motion and a transverse motion of the car as a function of the position of the joystick; determining a position of at least one pedal, which is designed to be pressed by a foot of the driver of the car; and controlling a dynamic behaviour of the car, which is different from the longitudinal motion and from the transverse motion, a function of the position of the pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: FERRARI S.P.A.
    Inventor: Raffaele De Simone
  • Motorized vehicle comprising a connected fork crown
    Patent number: 11208169
    Abstract: A motorized vehicle including: a front fork; a steering shaft able to rotate inside a steering column; at least one fork crown coupled to the steering shaft and to the front fork; and at least one electronic component intended to collect and/or transmit data relating to the operation of the motorised vehicle. The fork crown has a body in which there is formed a cavity closed by a cover and an electronic board housed in the cavity and able to centralize and/or process the data supplied by the at least one electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: IRIDER
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Simon
  • Modular electric bicycle
    Patent number: 11208170
    Abstract: A modular electric bicycle with the classic diamond frame design which has been designed to accommodate a d-c rechargeable battery pack within its top, down and seat tube and conceal all electrical wiring inside the frame. The modular electric bicycle has been designed in order to ease the maintenance of electronic components and replace obsolete electronics just as easily as conventional bicycles can have mechanical components replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Inventor: Matteo Giuseppe Matsuura Frontini
  • Steering device
    Patent number: 11192576
    Abstract: A steering device includes: a turning actuator drive command signal output section to output the turning actuator drive command signal, a turning actuator drive command signal including a drive command signal, and a test drive command signal, the drive command signal being outputted to the turning actuator when the vehicle is in a first state, the test drive command signal being outputted to the turning actuator when the vehicle is in a second state, the turning actuator operation signal input section to receive a signal relating to the operation of the turning actuator, and the abnormality diagnosis section to judge whether or not the steering device is in an abnormal state, based on the signal relating to the operation of the turning actuator with respect to the test drive command signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuta Ushiro, Mitsuaki Nakada
  • Fifth wheel mounting bracket with isolation areas assisting in force measurement
    Patent number: 11192598
    Abstract: A fifth wheel mounting bracket includes a mounting bracket including a coupling portion configured to pivotally couple to a fifth wheel hitch plate, the mounting bracket including an innermost surface and an outermost surface defining a mounting bracket thickness, at least one isolation area having isolation area thickness that is less than the mounting bracket thickness, and at least one strain gauge positioned within the at least one isolation area and configured to measure a strain of the fifth wheel mounting bracket arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy Schutt
  • Air reservoir for a steering axle and method of construction
    Patent number: 11173956
    Abstract: An air reservoir for a steering axle is mounted on a trailer, the steering axle comprising a pair of rotation pivoting wheel assemblies. Each wheel assembly has a rotation plate and a steering arm connected thereto. A rod pivotally connects the steering arms, each wheel assembly being rotatably connected to either end of the axle. An air stabilizer assembly is mounted on the axle and is connected to the rod, the air stabilizer assembly having an inflatable damper assembly thereon. An air supply is fluidly connected to an air inlet on the axle, the air inlet being fluidly connected to the damper assembly. The air stabilizer assembly dampens pivotal movement of the wheel assemblies when compressed air from the air reservoir fills the damper assembly. The air stabilizer assembly allows the wheel assemblies to rotate more freely when pressure of the compressed air within the damper assembly is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Dexter Trailer Products of Canada Corporation
    Inventor: Neil Haslam
  • Modular power bases for wheelchairs
    Patent number: 11173079
    Abstract: A modular power base for a wheelchair, the modular power base includes a leg module. The leg module includes an upper leg portion comprising a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal end is configured to be detachably and rotatably coupled to a seat portion of the wheelchair. The leg module also includes a lower leg portion having a first end and a second end, the first end of the lower leg portion being rotatably coupled to the distal end of the upper leg portion. The leg module also includes a first wheel rotatably coupled to the distal end of the upper leg portion and to the first end of the lower leg portion and a second wheel rotatably coupled to the second end of the lower leg portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Moore
  • Human-powered vehicle control device
    Patent number: 11161419
    Abstract: A human-powered vehicle control device includes an electronic controller and a first operating portion. The first operating portion operates a human-powered vehicle device. The electronic controller controls a supply of electric power from a battery to the human-powered vehicle device in a first mode. The electronic controller controls the electric power supplied from the battery to the human-powered vehicle device in a second mode to be less than the electric power supplied in the first mode. The electronic controller switches the first mode to the second mode upon determining the first operating portion has been operated by a first action while in the first mode. The electronic controller does not switch from the second mode to the first mode upon determining the first operating portion has been operated by the first action while in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Usui, Takafumi Suzuki
  • Auxiliary power device
    Patent number: 11155147
    Abstract: An auxiliary power device includes a housing, a motor supported by the housing, and a wheel engaged with the motor. The wheel has a rotational axis and a spindle on the rotational axis. The housing defines a track adjustably supporting the spindle of the wheel. The adjustability of the spindle supported by the track in the housing allows for the wheel to adjust relative to the housing and allows the auxiliary power device to be used on a variety of vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jorge Jara Zambrano, Adrian Romero Regalado, Sergio Alberto Vega Velazquez
  • Automatic guided vehicle and method for controlling automatic guided vehicle
    Patent number: 11148697
    Abstract: An automatic guided vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention moves a trolley including a trolley body, wheels attached to the trolley body, and a section to be connected which is provided on the lower surface of the trolley body. The automatic guided vehicle is provided with: a vehicle body; drive wheels attached to the vehicle body; and a connection mechanism which is connected to the trolley, wherein the connection mechanism includes a connecting section disposed on an upper side of the upper surface of the vehicle body so as to be movable horizontally in a first direction, and includes a drive apparatus which moves the connecting section in the first direction and connects the connecting section to the section to be connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: NIDEC-SHIMPO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Akamatsu, Hiroki Akamatsu, Norio Deguchi, Syunta Sato, Hitoshi Inoue