Patents Examined by Stacey A Fluhart
  • Patent number: 11796012
    Abstract: A state changing unit is provided radially outward of a translation portion and movable in an axial direction relative to the translation portion. The state changing unit is in contact with or separated from the clutch. The state changing unit receives a force in the axial direction from the translation portion such that the state changing unit is pressed against the clutch. The state changing unit is capable of changing a state of the clutch to an engaged state or a disengaged state according to a position of the translation portion in the axial direction relative to the housing. A movement restriction portion is provided on the translation portion and located between the state changing unit and the clutch. The movement restriction portion contacts the state changing unit and restricts movement of the state changing unit relative to the translation portion toward the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Souichirou Hayashi, Takumi Sugiura, Akira Takagi
  • Patent number: 11780316
    Abstract: A hybrid module for a drive train of a motor vehicle includes an electrical machine, a dry friction clutch for coupling the electrical machine with the drive train, an input shaft arranged to be coupled to an internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle, and an output shaft arranged to be coupled to a vehicle transmission of the motor vehicle. The dry friction clutch is designed to lead away or secure wear debris of the dry friction clutch. The hybrid module may be arranged as a P2 hybrid module within the drive train between an internal combustion engine side of the motor vehicle and a vehicle transmission side of the motor vehicle. The dry friction clutch may be a dry multi-disk clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: René Daikeler, Christian Basler, Christoph Raber, Florian Vogel, Matthias Dannhäuser, Marc Finkenzeller
  • Patent number: 11773921
    Abstract: In a power transmission apparatus, a second clutch includes a divider dividing driving clutch plates and driven clutch plates in an axial direction such that a first region adjacent to a clutch pressure plate and a second region adjacent to a centrifugal clutch are defined. The second clutch presses the driving clutch plates and the driven clutch plates in the first region and the second region against each other during operation of the centrifugal clutch, and presses the driving clutch plates and the driven clutch plates in the first region against each other during operation of a back torque transmission cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA F.C.C.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Ozawa, Han Hiong Chen, Katsu Yoshimoto
  • Patent number: 11773917
    Abstract: A multi-plate clutch is disclosed, including an outer plate carrier, an inner plate carrier, and a set of plates of alternately arranged radially between the outer plate carrier and the inner plate carrier and which is delimited by two end plates engaging at opposite ends of the set of plates, wherein each end plate rests against an annular axial supporting contour on the end face facing away from the set of plates, wherein the supporting contours differ in their effective diameter at which the supporting contours contact the associated end plate, and wherein the supporting contours apply an axial force on the set of plates such that the plates are elastically deformed into a conical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Hoerbiger Antriebstechnik Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Ansgar Damm, Sami Oezkan, Juergen Binder
  • Patent number: 11773951
    Abstract: Described herein is a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with oscillating racks. The CVT includes an input shaft and a plurality of cams that are coupled with the input shaft. The cams are configured to rotate with a rotation of the input shaft. The CVT also includes a plurality of racks that are coupled to respective cams. The racks are configured to oscillate with the rotation of the input shaft. The CVT further includes a plurality of pinions that are coupled to respective racks and a plurality of intermittent shafts that are coupled with respective pinions. The CVT also includes an output shaft that is coupled with the intermittent shafts. The output shaft is configured to rotate with a uniform rotation and a speed ratio relative to the rotation of the input shaft. Because the CVT does not use friction elements, many downsides of conventional CVTs may be mitigated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Adam Troy Timmons
  • Patent number: 11773923
    Abstract: In a power transmission apparatus, a centrifugal clutch includes a holder, a press, and springs to urge masses from a radially outer position to a radially inner position. The masses are each housed in an associated one of housing portions arranged in a circumferential direction of the holder such that the masses are radially movable. More than one spring is provided in the circumferential direction between an inner peripheral wall surface of each of the housing portions and an associated one of the masses to urge the associated mass from the radially outer position to the radially inner position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA F.C.C.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Ozawa, Han Hiong Chen, Katsu Yoshimoto
  • Patent number: 11773922
    Abstract: Transmissions and clutch assemblies for transmissions are disclosed herein. A transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft, and a clutch assembly. The input shaft is configured to receive rotational power. The output shaft is configured to transmit rotational power to a load. The clutch assembly is coupled between the input shaft and the output shaft to selectively transmit rotational power therebetween in use of the transmission. The clutch assembly includes a housing, a piston, and a disc spring. The piston is movable relative to the housing and cooperates with the housing to at least partially define a first cavity that is configured to receive hydraulic fluid such that a first centrifugal pressure force is created in use of the clutch assembly. The disc spring is movable relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.
    Inventors: John L. Tysman, Jason Ellis, Evan Chivington, Mickey Hunt
  • Patent number: 11773915
    Abstract: A housing includes an accommodation space for a prime mover and a speed reducer. A rotational translation unit includes a rotation portion that rotates relative to the housing upon receiving torque outputted from the speed reducer, and a translation portion that moves relative to the housing in an axial direction according to rotation of the rotation portion. The accommodation space is between the rotation portion and the housing. A clutch in a clutch space allows or interrupts transmission of torque between a first transmission portion and a second transmission portion. The rotation portion is between the clutch space and the accommodation space. A sealing member has an annular shape in contact with the rotation portion, and maintains an air-tight or liquid-tight state between the accommodation space and the clutch space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Takagi, Ryo Ishibashi, Takumi Sugiura
  • Patent number: 11773913
    Abstract: A torque-transmitting clutch includes a first clutch element having a first base body and a first end face, a second clutch element, and a third clutch element having a third base body. In a closed position, the first and the second clutch elements are connectable in a positive locking and/or force-fit manner for transmitting torque, and in an open position, this positive locking and/or force-fit connection is released, and wherein the first clutch element is connectable to the third clutch element in a positive locking and/or force-fit manner. The first clutch element is produced according to a powder-metallurgical or an additive method and has at least one centering projection arranged on the first end face and extending towards the third clutch element to cooperate with and/or be accommodated with a centering recess in an end face in the third clutch element in a positive locking and/or force-fit manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: MIBA SINTER AUSTRIA GMBH
    Inventor: Christian Kronberger
  • Patent number: 11773916
    Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a first clutch having a first translator and a friction pack and a second clutch having first and second coupling members, a locking element, and a second translator. The friction pack includes a first plate fixed to the first coupling member and a second plate fixed to the second coupling member. The first translator of the first clutch is movable to an actuated position in which the plates of the friction pack are engaged with one another thereby causing angular velocities of the first and second coupling members to be synchronized. The second translator of the second clutch is movable to an extended position in which the locking element engages the first and second coupling members with one another thereby causing a power flow path through the first and second coupling members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Merat, Kenneth Gerard Walega, Spencer J. Kane
  • Patent number: 11773914
    Abstract: A clutch assembly may have an axially slidable first plate, an axially fixed second plate disposed opposite the first plate, and a clutch pack arranged between the first plate and the second plate. The clutch pack may have a number of axially slidable consecutively arranged friction plates and separator plates. The assembly may also have an actuator axially movable between a first position and a second position, where, in the first position, the clutch pack is opened and, in the second position, the clutch pack is closed and the friction plates are frictionally engaged. The assembly may also have a return spring configured to bias the actuator in a direction away from the clutch pack towards the first position. The assembly may also have an engagement spring element configured to exert an elastic force on the clutch pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Belgium N.V.
    Inventors: Joachim Van Dingenen, Tommy Van Acker, Marc Van Tomme, Filip Schacht, Kurt D M Cattoor
  • Patent number: 11772745
    Abstract: A pedally propelled vehicle multi speed gear system includes a gear mechanism including a main shaft; a hollow first shaft and a hollow second shaft, both axially stationary and rotatably arranged about the main shaft; an epicyclical first gear section arranged about the main shaft between the first and second shafts, and including two radially stacked carrier elements; and a first shift mechanism arranged between the first shaft and the first gear section, and configured to rotationally engage the first shaft with either of the two radially stacked carriers. The first shift mechanism includes two first clutches radially stacked about the main shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: CA TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS AS
    Inventors: Knut Tore Ljøsne, Christian Antal
  • Patent number: 11767888
    Abstract: A hybrid module includes a housing with a multiple clutch accommodated therein having a first, a second and a third clutch device and a support in an axial end position, and an electric machine which is arranged in an axially parallel manner on the housing and is coupled to the multiple clutch via a gear connection which transmits a torque. The housing is closed axially either by a housing cover portion axially and radially adjoining the support or by a transmission wall, axially adjoining the support, of a transmission connected downstream. A lubricant to be delivered to the multiple clutch can be delivered to the support either radially via at least one feed conduit or axially via at least one feed conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Inventors: Massimo Merola, Stefan Mackowiak, Robert Maier
  • Patent number: 11767889
    Abstract: A cooling oil guiding device for a clutch actuatable by an axially movable piston. The piston is radially inward of the clutch, and separates a pressure space and a compensation space. The compensation space is delimited by an axially stationary compensation space cover and a seal cover coupled to the piston. The compensation space cover and the seal cover axially overlap radially outwardly and are axially movable relative to one another via a sealing element. An overflow opening connects the compensation space to an oil channel in the seal cover between the seal cover and the piston, the oil channel opens radially outward. A control edge is provided at a component part axially immovable relative to the piston, by which an oil flow exiting from the oil channel is guided through the clutch when the clutch is closed and is guided past the clutch when the clutch is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Steffen Matschas, Axel Rohm, Ingo Krafft, Monika Rößner, Angelika Ebert, Julian Larbig
  • Patent number: 11760336
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus of a hybrid vehicle including an engine and a first motor-generator and a second motor-generator includes a compound planetary gear set engaged to a first motor shaft of the first motor-generator, and configured to receive an engine torque from the engine through a one-way clutch, to receive a motor torque of the first motor-generator, and to output an output torque as a combination of the engine torque and the motor torque through a drive gear, a motor shaft gear fixedly connected to a second motor shaft of the second motor-generator, and an output shaft disposed in parallel to and between an engine torque shaft connected to the engine and the second motor shaft connected to the second motor, and gear-meshed with the drive gear and the motor shaft gear respectively through a driven gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Seong Wook Hwang
  • Patent number: 11761521
    Abstract: A gear unit for a powertrain of a vehicle includes a stepped planetary gearset, a first gear shifting element and a second gear shifting element. The stepped planetary gearset has at least a first ring gear, a second ring gear and a plurality of stepped planet gears rotatably mounted at a first planet carrier. The first planet carrier drivingly connects to an electric machine. The second ring gear is connected to an output shaft of the gear unit so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it. The first gear shifting element fixes the first ring gear relative to a housing in a closed state, and the second gear shifting element brings the stepped planetary gearset into direct drive in a closed state. One of the two gear shifting elements is in the closed state for driving the output shaft in rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Michael Wechs, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Oliver Schaudt
  • Patent number: 11752849
    Abstract: A gear unit for a powertrain and gear unit having a stepped planetary gearset, a first gear shifting element and a second gear shifting element. The stepped planetary gearset has a first sun gear, a first ring gear, a second ring gear, and a plurality of stepped planet gears rotatably mounted at a first planet carrier. The first sun gear is connected to an electric machine. The first planet carrier is fixedly connected to a housing with respect to rotation. The first gear shifting element connects the second ring gear to an output shaft of the gear unit in a closed state, and the second gear shifting element connects the first ring gear to the output shaft of the gear unit in a closed to state, and one of the two gear shifting elements) is in the closed state for driving the output shaft in rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Michael Wechs, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Oliver Schaudt
  • Patent number: 11746847
    Abstract: A clutch system includes a first clutch member and a second clutch member for transmitting torque from a vehicle power generator. The first clutch member includes a first a first clutch element having a first surface and a first friction material disposed on said first surface. The second clutch member is configured to engage the first clutch plate and includes a second clutch element having a second surface and a second friction material disposed on the second surface. The first friction material is configured to be engaged with the second friction material during operation of the vehicle power generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Siegel, Steven J. Kowal, Richard W. Pridgen, Jr., David T. Vierk
  • Patent number: 11739798
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a claw coupling for interlockingly connecting a first rotatable component to a second rotatable component, wherein a sliding sleeve is non-rotatably and axially slidably arranged on the first rotatable component and a coupling body is non-rotatably arranged on the second rotatable component, the sliding sleeve being axially movable for interlocking connection to the coupling body in order to connect the first component to the second component, at least one spring-loaded shifting ring being movably mounted, non-rotatably and axially relative to the sliding sleeve, on the sliding sleeve, and a damping chamber, formed in dependence on the relative motion, is provided in order to delay the axial motion. The disclosure further relates to an electrical drive axle of a vehicle having at least the claw coupling. In addition, the disclosure relates to a method for interlockingly connecting the first rotatable component to the second rotatable component via a claw coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Martin Ruider, Patrick Isele, Kim Führer, Marcel Müller, Matthias Winkel, Werner Herbert Brandwitte, Klaus Ventzke, Fernando Jesus Ramos Zuniga, Stephan Demmerer
  • Patent number: 11739800
    Abstract: A first multi-plate brake device and a second multi-plate brake device are arranged side by side in a direction of a rotating axis X along an inner peripheral surface of a transmission case. In the second multi-plate brake device, the snap ring is supported by a supporting portion which is formed on the first multi-plate brake device side of the snap ring and protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the transmission case radially inward to the rotating axis X. The piston retainer of the first multi-plate brake device includes an abutting portion that protrudes to the second multi-plate brake device side and abuts the supporting portion from the opposite side of the snap ring of the second multi-plate brake device. The abutting portion includes a thick portion whose radial thickness on a lower side in a vertical direction is increased as compared to on an upper side in the vertical direction based on a state of mounting the automatic transmission on a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hisashi Toyama, Yuya Kimura