Patents Examined by Robert A. Siconolfi
  • Patent number: 11904650
    Abstract: A shock absorber for a vehicle includes a pressure tube containing a hydraulic fluid. The shock absorber further includes a piston rod extending within the pressure tube along a longitudinal axis, and including a piston end disposed within the pressure tube. The piston rod includes a rod chamber defined within the piston rod and extending along the longitudinal axis from an upper chamber end distal to the piston end to a lower chamber end proximal to the piston end. The piston rod further includes at least one first opening disposed proximal to the lower chamber end. The shock absorber further includes a first piston assembly, an auxiliary housing, and a damper assembly including a sleeve received within the rod chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Jonas Henderickx
  • Patent number: 11906015
    Abstract: A damper including inner and outer tubes is provided. A piston is slidably disposed within the inner tube. An intermediate tube is positioned radially between the inner and outer tubes. The intermediate tube extends between first and second intermediate tube ends. An intermediate channel is disposed radially between the intermediate and inner tubes. A slanted elliptical seal is positioned inside the intermediate channel and divides the intermediate channel into first and second intermediate channel portions. A first control valve is in fluid communication with the second intermediate channel portion via a first intermediate tube opening. A second control valve is in fluid communication with the first intermediate channel portion via a second intermediate tube opening. The slanted elliptical seal abuts the intermediate tube between the first intermediate tube opening and the first intermediate tube end and between the second intermediate tube opening and the second intermediate tube end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan Deferme
  • Patent number: 11906007
    Abstract: An S-cam brake including a brake chamber to which compressed air is supplied; a slack adjuster rotatably connecting to the brake chamber; an S-cam unit having an S-cam connecting to and rotating around the slack adjuster; and a drum having a lining generating braking force with widening according to rotation of the S-cam is provided, wherein the brake chamber includes an upper housing having an air supply port through which compressed air is introduced; a lower housing coupled to the upper housing to form an internal space; a diaphragm having edges fixed to the upper housing and the lower housing and deformed by compressed air; a piston disposed to contact the diaphragm and move linearly; a piston push rod extending from the piston and having one end connected to the slack adjuster; and a spring having one end supported by the piston and the other end supported by the lower housing, wherein a thickness of the upper housing is greater than a thickness of the lower housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sang Weol Han, Jung Hoon Jin, Yoon Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 11904820
    Abstract: A brake system for selectively actuating at least one of a pair of front wheel brakes and a pair of rear wheel brakes of a vehicle, one of which is hydraulically actuated and the other of which is electrically actuated, includes a reservoir. First and second integrated control units are in fluid communication with the reservoir and respective ones of the hydraulically actuated wheel brakes. The first and second integrated control units have first and second power transmission units connected to first and second electronic control unit, respectively. Each electronic control unit is configured to control a corresponding power transmission unit and a selected one of the electrically actuated wheel brakes on a contralateral side of the vehicle from the selected one of the hydraulically actuated wheel brakes which is actuated by the power transmission unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety US Inc.
    Inventor: Blaise J. Ganzel
  • Patent number: 11904966
    Abstract: An assembly for enabling continuous seat post function during extreme conditions is described and includes: a first valve at least partially, slidably disposed within a stationary piston and for controlling a first fluid pathway there through, wherein the first fluid pathway runs from a first portion and to a second portion of the oil chamber, wherein the stationary piston separates the oil chamber into the first portion and the second portion; and a second valve at least partially disposed within the stationary piston and disposed in series with the first valve and having a second fluid pathway disposed through the first valve and the second valve, being in parallel with the first fluid pathway, running from the first portion to the second portion of the oil chamber, and providing a bypass for oil to flow from the first portion to the second portion when the first fluid pathway is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Barna Madau, Jeremiah Docter
  • Patent number: 11898614
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is a new configuration of torsional spring with a flat structure, capable of ensuring response linearity, modelling ease and accuracy, versatile use while safeguarding the possibility of the inner passage of wiring or of any accessory components along the transmission/torsion axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SCUOLA SUPERIORE DI STUDI UNIVERSITARI E DI PERFEZIONAMENTO SANT'ANNA
    Inventors: Andrea Baldoni, Matteo Fantozzi, Nicola Vitiello
  • Patent number: 11898615
    Abstract: A cylinder apparatus is provided with a stopper mechanism that operates when a piston rod extends and moves toward an upper end portion in an inner cylinder. This stopper mechanism includes a second cylinder provided movably relative to the piston rod and including a bottom portion on an upper end side in the inner cylinder and a cylinder portion extending from the bottom portion toward a lower end side, and a second piston provided so as to be able to move along with a movement of the piston rod to be fitted to the second cylinder. While being configured in this manner, the cylinder apparatus is configured in such a manner that a spring member 21 is provided between the second cylinder and a rod guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Inuzuka, Urban Anta Carlos, Atsushi Maeda, Koji Minamino, Aakash Patwa
  • Patent number: 11892056
    Abstract: A ring circumscribing a moveable rod of a hydraulic damper, the moveable rod defining a central axis, the ring comprising a first circumferential surface, a second circumferential surface, a first finger, a second finger, a first flange, and a second flange. The first finger and the first flange defining a first end of the ring. The second finger and the second flange defining a second end of the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Lawrence Roessle
  • Patent number: 11890967
    Abstract: A brake system and a method of controlling the brake system including a pedal master unit, an electric booster unit, a pedal-feel generating unit, and an electric control unit, wherein the pedal master unit includes a master cylinder and an operating rod, the electric booster unit includes a motor, a motor piston, and a gear device-screw shaft combination, the pedal-feel generating unit includes a reaction disk configured to form a pedal feel force (FRD) and a pedal spring arranged to form a pedal feel force (Fspring), and the electric control unit is configured to variably control, in a regenerative braking mode and in a hydraulic braking mode, a ratio of increase to decrease of the pedal feel force (FRD) and a ratio of increase to decrease of the pedal feel force (Fspring).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ji Weon Ko
  • Patent number: 11892046
    Abstract: An internal drum brake anti-falling device includes a carrier having an accommodating chamber and main shaft crossingly arranged in the accommodating chamber for supporting a rotating drum to autorotate, wherein the rotating drum has a life belt coiled thereon, a brake unit arranged at an end thereof, and a drum brake module, which comprises a base, mounted in the accommodating chamber, and a passive ring, mounted on the base. An outer diameter of the base defines a first ring surface configured in a concentric circle manner to the main shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: BEXUS INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kai Chieh Yang, Chia Cheng Huang
  • Patent number: 11879512
    Abstract: A wheel hub drive for a vehicle, having: a drive housing; a hub output mounted rotatably relative to the drive housing; a wheel brake for the hub output that has a stationary and a rotating braking partner, the stationary braking partner being connected to the drive housing for conjoint rotation therewith, and the rotating braking partner being connected to the hub output. The two braking partners are frictionally connected in a braking state, A parking brake for fixing the hub output relative to the drive housing. The stationary and rotating brake partners being movable relative to one another when the parking brake is actuated and being frictionally connected to one another in a parked state. The has a ramp mechanism for converting a rotary movement into a linear movement in order to transfer a parking force to the stationary and/or rotating brake partner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Aurelien Grauss, Philippe Wagner, Simon Ortmann
  • Patent number: 11878562
    Abstract: An adjustable shock absorber system includes: a coil over shock absorber with a spring and a lockable adjustment ring; a protective cover assembly, optionally including top and bottom cover portions; a shock adjuster tool with a lever arm and a tool grip portion, including a band assembly, and a tool attachment assembly, including a connector member and a tool member; such that the tool grip portion detachably connects to the peripheral mounting surface of the lockable adjustment ring; whereby the shock adjuster tool can be used to adjust a preload of the coil-over shock absorber. Alternatively, an adjustable shock absorber system includes: a coil-over shock absorber with a spring and an adjustment ring; an adjustment ring assembly, which detachably interlocks with the adjustment ring; and a shock adjuster tool with a lever arm and a tool grip portion, which detachably connects with the adjustment ring assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Inventor: Bernard J. Carr
  • Patent number: 11879514
    Abstract: Disclosed are a compound impact-resistant device and an application thereof. The compound impact-resistant device includes an inner cylinder, a first pressure sensor and an outer cylinder; an inner cavity of the inner cylinder is connected to a magnetorheological damper, a spiral valve element, a floating piston and a spring from bottom to top; and the outer cylinder is connected to a piston rod, a bottom end of the piston rod penetrates a top of the inner cylinder, the spring and the floating piston to be connected to the spiral valve element, and a portion below the spiral valve element is filled with hydraulic oil. The compound impact-resistant device can provide specific initial support force and achieve active self-adaptation to dynamic impact, thus solving the problems that traditional hydraulic buffers cannot provide initial support force and traditional mechanical crushing members have difficulty in providing large support force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Shandong University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Chenglong Wang, Meng Chen
  • Patent number: 11873874
    Abstract: An adjustable shock absorber system includes: a coil over shock absorber with a spring and an adjustment ring; an adjustment ring assembly, which detachably interlocks with the adjustment ring; and a shock adjuster tool with a lever arm and a tool grip portion, including a band assembly; such that the tool grip portion detachably connects to a peripheral mounting surface of the adjustment ring assembly; whereby the shock adjuster tool can be used to adjust a preload of the coil-over shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Inventor: Bernard J. Carr
  • Patent number: 11872973
    Abstract: A method for adjusting brake pressures on wheel brakes of a motor vehicle includes adjusting, in a normal braking mode as a function of a driver's braking demand determined by a driver of the motor vehicle, the brake pressures on the wheel brakes. The method further includes carrying out, by a brake control unit in a pressure control mode, adjustment of the brake pressures on the wheel brakes to implement at least a drive stability function and/or external braking demands. Furthermore, the method includes determining, by the brake control unit, the brake pressures on the wheel brakes at least when implementing external braking demands while controlling an ideal pressure distribution ratio of the brake pressures at wheel brakes of the front axle to the brake pressures at wheel brakes of a rear axle of the motor vehicle, wherein the control function takes into account a pressure distribution ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventors: Nikolai Flaum, Van Tien Nguyen, Torsten Wallbaum
  • Patent number: 11873877
    Abstract: A vibration isolation system for compactly mounting a vibrating component, such as an air compressor, to an object, such as an air tank, is described. The system may include a rod and bumper system to isolate the vibrations generated by the air compressor from the vehicle or object that it is mounted to. A primary isolation subsystem may include a rod suspension design which consumes significantly less space than existing solutions. The rod is able to achieve equal spring rates in any direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: ARNOTT T&P HOLDING, LLC
    Inventors: Reno N. Heon, Dustin B. Heon
  • Patent number: 11872967
    Abstract: A drum brake device for a vehicle includes a first brake shoe and a second brake shoe movably coupled to a back plate, and spaced apart from each other; a wheel cylinder positioned between one end of the first brake shoe and one end of the second brake shoe, and configured to expand the distance between the one end of the first brake shoe and the one end of the second brake shoe; and an actuator positioned between another end of the first brake shoe and another end of the second brake shoe, and configured to provide a driving force to expand the distance between the one end of the first brake shoe and the one end of the second brake shoes and to expand the distance between the another end of the first brake shoe and the another end of the second brake shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae Ung Jeon, Moo Jin Choi
  • Patent number: 11873871
    Abstract: A brake caliper has an adjustment for controlling the location of the brake pads with respect to a brake rotor. The brake caliper includes a mount for attaching to a fixed surface to support the brake caliper, and a caliper connected to the mount for movement relative to the mount. A brake frame supports brake pads, one of which is movable with respect to the brake frame. An adjustor for controlling a position of the caliper with respect to the mount is configured for adjustment to change the position of the caliper with respect to the mount in an unactuated condition of the brake caliper thereby moving the caliper with respect to the mount and adjusting the position of the first and second brake pads with respect to the rotor. The brake caliper also may have an adjustable brake pressure feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: INTEPLAST GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shoumin Song
  • Patent number: 11865886
    Abstract: A suspension includes a coil spring, a shock absorber, a spring seat, and at least three strongly pressing parts. The coil spring elastically receives vertical movement of a wheel relative to a vehicle body. The shock absorber damps the vertical movement. The spring seat is provided in the shock absorber. The sprint seat supports an axial end of the coil spring. The coil spring is in direct or indirect contact with the spring seat over a predetermined distance from an end to a point of separation of the coil spring. The strongly pressing parts are provided in the spring seat. The strongly pressing parts apply contact pressures higher than contact pressure applied by other part, to the coil spring. The point of separation is disposed at a region that is between the strongly pressing parts and has the largest opening angle about an axial center of the shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuta China, Koichi Uchikawa
  • Patent number: 11866124
    Abstract: A braking system includes a vehicle having a front brake and a rear brake. The system includes a moveable structure connected to a rear brake. The rear brake may be a hydraulic brake. When the rear brake is actuated, the moveable structure moves. The movement of the structure pressurizes hydraulic fluid in a tube which actuates a front hydraulic brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Syscend, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Riley, Roger Tong