Patents Examined by Paul N. Dickson
  • Patent number: 11518190
    Abstract: A vehicle component such as an axle spindle or suspension beam (3) is connected to a tubular vehicle axle (1) by fitting a connector sleeve (2) onto the axle and subjecting the assembly to a crimping operation in which plural depressions (206,2018) are formed by indentation in the connector sleeve and the axle wall at the connection region (11,12) to fix the connector sleeve on the tubular axle. In the described proposals a solid lubricant (4) such as molybdenum disulphide is applied at the connection region between the connector sleeve (2) and axle (1), before crimping. The further vehicle component (3) is then connected to the connector sleeve (2) by welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Inventors: Shaun Macken, Sathya Babu, Nathan Wilson
  • Patent number: 11511821
    Abstract: A leaning vehicle includes a base member, an upper arm, a lower arm, a first support member, a second support member, a first wheel, a second wheel, and a steering operation member. The upper arm, the lower arm, the first support member, the second support member constitute a parallel link mechanism. The first wheel is movable integrally with the first support member in a turning direction of the base member. The second wheel is movable integrally with the second support member in the turning direction of the base member. According to turning of the base member by operating the steering operation member, all of the upper arm, the lower arm, the first support member, the second support member, the first wheel, and the second wheel turn around a turning center of the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ishii, Taro Iwamoto, Takeshi Nakajima, Kazuya Nagasaka
  • Patent number: 11511580
    Abstract: A suspension for a vehicle is configured such that, even in a situation of departing from a range in which a spring may be tensioned as a rebound state is added in a full rebound state, a lower end of the spring is continuously supported by a spring seat support arm, so as to prevent separation of the spring connecting a suspension arm to a body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Sang Hoon Yoo
  • Patent number: 11511584
    Abstract: A decoupling bearing for a suspension strut or a pneumatic suspension strut may include a suspension strut cup and a connecting element that can be connected to a vehicle body. A damping element may be arranged between the suspension strut cup and the connecting element. The suspension strut cup may be connected to the connecting element by the damping element. Further, the damping element may be adhesively bonded to the connecting element and the suspension strut cup in a force-transmitting manner, and/or the damping element may be adhesively bonded to the connecting element and an intermediate element in a force-transmitting manner. The intermediate element may be connected to the suspension strut cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignees: ThyssenKrupp Bilstein GmbH, thyssenkrupp AG
    Inventors: Klaus Schmidt, Holger Hennen, Ole Götz
  • Patent number: 11505021
    Abstract: A structural load path assembly includes an upper rail configured to be coupled to a suspension system, a lower rail spaced apart from the upper rail along a vertical direction, a first outer bracket interconnecting the upper rail and the lower rail, a second outer bracket interconnecting the upper rail and the lower rail, a first inner bracket interconnecting the upper rail and the lower rail, wherein the first inner bracket is spaced apart from the first outer bracket along a horizontal direction, and the horizontal direction is perpendicular to the vertical direction, a second inner bracket interconnecting the upper rail and the lower, and a box section sized to receive a shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Trevor Laskowski, Matthew B. Rombach, Michael T. Chaney, Robert N. Saje, Warren J. Parsons, Anthony R. Rossello
  • Patent number: 11506227
    Abstract: A device for supplying hydraulic energy in a chassis system of a vehicle, including a first and a second motor-pump unit which are mechanically firmly connected to each other, the two motor-pump units preferably being designed identical in structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: RAPA Automotive GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Lauterbach, Falk Lehniger, Rocco Kemnitz
  • Patent number: 11505026
    Abstract: Suspension assembly including a body associable to the chassis of the tilting vehicle and two junction devices opposite with respect to the body; the junction devices being articulated to the body by means of connecting elements, wherein each junction device includes a first structural junction portion rotationally coupled in a first coupling site to a first connecting element and a second structural joint portion rotationally coupled in a second coupling site to a second connecting element; and wherein the suspension assembly further includes elasto-damping elements associated with the hinge devices and adapted to damp the stresses transmitted by the wheels; and wherein each hinge device includes a dynamic junction portion rotationally coupled to a elasto-damping element in a dynamic junction coupling site; and wherein the junction device rigidly determines the relative positioning and spatial orientation of the first structural joint portion, the second structural joint portion and the dynamic joint portion
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.P.A.
    Inventors: Onorino Di Tanna, Stefano Bartolozzi, Mario Donato Santucci
  • Patent number: 11499291
    Abstract: The invention relates to a work machine (1, 1.1, 1.2) comprising: a work unit (2, 2.1, 2.2) or a receptacle (16) for a work unit, exactly one primary vehicle axis (3), wheel elements (4) arranged on both sides of the primary vehicle axis (3), drive units associated with the wheel elements (4), at least one control, wherein the control comprises at least one control circuit and effects a self-balancing of the work machine (1, 1.1, 1.2) about the main vehicle axis (3), and a counter-weight (5), wherein a position of the counter-weight (5) relative to the primary vehicle axis (3) is controllable via the control, and therefore the work machine (1, 1.1, 1.2) can be balanced about the primary vehicle axis (3) and controlled in the movement directions thereof via a position shift of the counter-weight (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventor: Jonas Heinzler
  • Patent number: 11498603
    Abstract: A steering column includes a steering shaft, a fixing bracket, a first cylinder, a second cylinder, an angle adjustment motor, an angle adjustment screw-nut assembly, a linkage assembly, a height adjustment motor, and a height adjustment screw-nut assembly, where the second cylinder is slidably sleeved with the first cylinder, the steering shaft runs through the first and second cylinders, the steering shaft includes an upper shaft and a lower shaft that are in splined connection, the upper shaft is supported in the second cylinder through a first bearing, the lower shaft is supported in the first cylinder through a second bearing, the first cylinder is hinged to the fixing bracket, the angle adjustment motor can drive the first cylinder to rotate relative to the fixing bracket, and the height adjustment motor can drive the second cylinder to axially move relative to the first cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Peng Zhang, Chenggang Luo
  • Patent number: 11498506
    Abstract: A coupling device (16) for mounting an airbag module (14) to be oscillating on a steering wheel structure (12) of a vehicle steering wheel (10) includes a mounting member (18) which includes, relative to a steering wheel axis, an axial bottom side (20) which in the assembled state of the vehicle steering wheel (10) faces the steering wheel structure (12) as well as an opposite axial top side (22) which in the assembled state of the vehicle steering wheel (10) faces the airbag module (14), a contact face (24) for a damping element (26) provided on the axial bottom side (20) for oscillating coupling of the mounting member (18) to the steering wheel structure (12), and comprising a locking element (28) disposed on the top side (22) of the mounting member (18) for locking with the prefabricated airbag module (14), wherein the locking element (28) is configured so that the airbag module (14) can be coupled to the mounting member (18) by a locking connection substantially in an axially fixed manner or in an axially
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignees: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH, ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC.
    Inventors: AnnMarie McMillan, Jeffrey M. Ruprecht, James Steele, Dominik Schutz
  • Patent number: 11498510
    Abstract: An airbag unit comprising an airbag (22) folded or rolled into an elongate package as well as a wrapping (28) holding the package in the folded state includes a fold-back longitudinal end (36) of the package. Apart from a first tearing line (32) through which the airbag (22) leaves the wrapping (28), in the area of the bending point (38) the wrapping (28) has a second tearing line (50) which provides for better gas flow to the fold-back package portion (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: DALPHI METAL ESPANA S.A.
    Inventors: Pedro José Santin Navarro, Estér Sanchez Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 11498602
    Abstract: A steering column assembly comprises an outer jacket extending along an axis and defining a central opening for placing a steering shaft and a bearing assembly. A bearing retainer is located in the outer jacket for axially retaining the bearing assembly in the outer jacket. The bearing retainer comprises a first surface spaced from a second surface by an outer edge and an inner edge. The inner edge defines an opening for placement of the steering shaft. The bearing retainer includes a first spring finger extending from the first surface away from the second surface at an angle and a second spring finger extending from the second surface away from the first surface at an angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Dubay, Randy W. Jones, Matthew J. T. Vincent
  • Patent number: 11498380
    Abstract: An arrangement of an angle measurement device on the chassis of a vehicle. The chassis includes a control arm (1) and a pivot bearing (2) with a pivot axis. The control arm (1) pivots about the pivot axis and the angle measurement device has a sensor (3) and a signal emitter. The sensor (3) is arranged on the control arm (1), in the area of the pivot axis, and the signal emitter is arranged on the pivot bearing (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Julian Stratmann, Florian Bäumer, Josef Holtheide, Felix Kallaß, Thorsten Sander
  • Patent number: 11491989
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body, at least one wheel includes an annular tire that rotates to drive the vehicle body along a main driving direction, a wheel gear disposed on an inner surface of the tire, and an in-wheel actuator that is connected to the wheel gear and that rotates to rotate the tire, and positioning devices that are fixed to the vehicle body and that rotate the at least one wheel relative to the vehicle body to change positions of the at least one wheel relative to the vehicle body, the at least one wheel being coupled to at least one positioning device so as to be rotatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hun Keon Ko, Eun Ho Seo, Joo Young Chun, Jun Hwan Park
  • Patent number: 11491945
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes computer including a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to identify a longitudinal position of a seat. The instructions include to identify a rotational position of the seat. The instructions include to selectively inflate one or more of a plurality of inflation chambers of an airbag adjacent the seat based on the longitudinal position and the rotational position of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph E. Abramczyk, Zhibing Deng, Deepak Patel
  • Patent number: 11491944
    Abstract: In a vehicle seat having an airbag module placed in the seatback thereof, the load that may be applied to the back side of the seatback is prevented from being applied to the airbag module. The vehicle seat (1, 300, 400) comprise a seatback frame (19) including a pair of side members (26, 301) extending vertically along either side thereof and providing a structural framework of a seatback, a plate member (20, 402) positioned behind the seatback frame and including an extension (32, 410) extending in an outboard direction from the side member located on an outboard side of the seatback frame, a mounting member connected to the outboard side member, and an airbag module (23) positioned on a front side of the extension and connected to the outboard side member via the mounting member, a clearance (S) being defined between the airbag module and the extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jinichi Tanabe, Katsuya Isomura, Sosaku Omori, Keita Wakesu, Kenji Matsuoka, Yuta Sugaya
  • Patent number: 11491060
    Abstract: A wheelchair-bound passenger restraint device has a wheelchair retractor that rewinds one end portion of a wheelchair belt member in an extractable manner, a wheelchair buckle that can be fitted with a wheelchair tongue plate, a passenger retractor that rewinds one end portion of a passenger belt member in an extractable manner, a passenger buckle that can be fitted with a passenger tongue plate, a buckle sensor that detects that the wheelchair tongue plate has been fitted to the wheelchair buckle, and a passenger belt lock mechanism that is configured to be able to make a changeover between a locked state making the passenger belt member unextractable an unlocked state making the passenger belt member extractable, and that makes a changeover from the locked state to the unlocked state when it is detected that the wheelchair tongue plate has been fitted to the wheelchair buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Makoto Sekizuka, Mitsuyoshi Ohno
  • Patent number: 11491836
    Abstract: A suspension device and an all-terrain vehicle are provided. The suspension device includes: a first rocker arm having a first end provided with a first position limiting portion; a second rocker arm spaced apart from the first rocker arm; and a steering knuckle arranged between the first end of the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm. The steering knuckle is connected with the first end of the first rocker arm and a first end of the second rocker arm, and the steering knuckle includes a third position limiting portion configured to be fitted with the first position limiting portion. The third position limiting portion is configured to abut against the first position limiting portion when the steering knuckle is moved to a first extreme height position and the all-terrain vehicle has a first maximum steering angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Segway Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiang Li, Mingtang Chen
  • Patent number: 11491838
    Abstract: A suspension system for a rear axle of a vehicle provided with a frame equipped with at least two side members, the suspension system connecting the axle to said side members and comprising a left side and a right side, each comprising an axle-holder assembly, a bellows, a leaf spring, first and second bars, and a torsion bar interposed between said left and right sides. The aforementioned elements of the suspension system being arranged to provide a functional layout having reduced costs and overall dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: IVECO S.P.A.
    Inventor: Jose Francivaldo Pereira Lemos
  • Patent number: 11485186
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a vehicle may include a wheel support structure operably coupling a wheel to the suspension assembly, a bolt-in spring seat bracket operably coupled to the wheel support structure, and a spring supported by the bolt-in spring seat bracket and disposed between a chassis of the vehicle and the bolt-in spring bracket. The bolt-in spring seat bracket may be adjustable to change a ride height of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jack Wiley Cooper, Sean McMahon Conway, Andrew Barry Lane, Justin Applegate