Patents Examined by Thomas C Diaz
  • Patent number: 11313450
    Abstract: The disclosure reduces inconvenience for a driver at the time of operating parking locking, thereby curbing cost reduction and space saving becoming difficult due to additional installation of a drive source for parking locking. The disclosure provides a motor driver mounted on a vehicle, including a rotation prevention arm which can move between a position where it is interposed between teeth of a parking gear portion to prevent rotation of a second gear thereby preventing rotation of each gear in a transaxle and a position where it is not interposed between the teeth, and a transmission mechanism which transmits a driving force of a motor shaft of an electric pump for transferring oil in a housing of the transaxle to the rotation prevention arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: NIDEC TOSOK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihisa Okuhata
  • Patent number: 11313472
    Abstract: An integrated protection component for a sealing ring and associated sealing system for a vehicle transmission component, including a plug that can be inserted inside the sealing ring and an annular element for protecting the sealing ring during insertion of a rotating shaft is provided. The annular element includes a flange-shaped end and a tubular side wall that directly comes into engaging contact with the sealing ring and receives inside it the rotating shaft. The first end being provided with a handle, the plug engaging in a removable manner with the annular element and the tubular side wall being provided with a first weakened zone formed longitudinally alongside a second, radially formed, weakened zone of the first end so as to break following a pulling force exerted manually on the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Gianluca Arobbio, Marco Bresso, Fabio Marchisio, Alessandro Piras
  • Patent number: 11305647
    Abstract: A foldable brake pedal apparatus for autonomous vehicles provides a manual driving mode and an autonomous driving mode. In the manual driving mode, a driver directly drives a vehicle, a pedal pad protrudes from a pedal housing and pops up to be exposed to the driver side such that the driver can manipulate the pedal pad. And in the autonomous driving mode, the driver does not directly drive the vehicle, the pedal pad is inserted into the pedal housing and is in a hidden state in which exposure of the pedal pad toward the drive side is inhibited such that the driver cannot manipulate the pedal pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, Kyung Chang Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eun Sik Kim, Hyeon Uk Kim, Ji Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 11300193
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an integrated electric drive power assembly, which solves the problems of the electrically driving power assemblies in the prior art that have a greater axial size and greater weight. The power assembly comprises a motor and a gearbox, an output shaft of the motor and an input shaft of the gearbox are integrally manufactured, to form a main shaft of the power assembly, a parking lock wheel is provided within the gearbox, and the parking lock wheel is fixedly mounted to the main shaft. The present disclosure significantly reduces the axial size of the power assembly, which facilitates the light weighing and the arrangement in the vehicle of the power assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Jing-Jin Electric Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jianwen Li, Yongwu Wang, Ping Yu, Ran Sun
  • Patent number: 11293523
    Abstract: A gearbox assembly includes a housing, a first shaft assembly having a worm gear and supported relative to the housing by a first bearing assembly, and a second shaft assembly including a wheel gear which is also supported relative to the housing by a second bearing assembly, the wheel gear engaging with the worm of the worm gear to permit the transfer of torque between the two shaft assemblies, wherein the first shaft assembly includes an elongate shaft carrying the worm gear, and a separate dog drive mechanism secured to one end of the elongate shaft by the first bearing such that in use torque is transferred between the elongate shaft and the dog drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Inventor: Phil Harvey
  • Patent number: 11285926
    Abstract: A foldable brake pedal device for an autonomous vehicle is provided. In a manual driving mode, in which a driver directly operates a vehicle, the lower end of a brake pedal is popped up and exposed to the interior allowing the driver to manipulate the brake pedal. In an autonomous driving mode, in which the driver does not directly operate the vehicle, an actuator operates, and the brake pedal rotates causing the lower end thereof to move forward, and enter a hidden state to be prevented from being manipulated by the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Kyung Chang Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eun Sik Kim, Hyeon Uk Kim, Sung Il Byun
  • Patent number: 11284958
    Abstract: The present invention is relates to a user controller having a thumb sheath with an open side defined in the thumb sheath. Further embodiments relate to thumb presence sensors and sensory feedback components associated with the thumb sheath. Additional embodiments relate to an adjustable thumb sheath. Still other embodiments relate to systems comprising such user controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Virtual Incision Corporation
    Inventors: Shane Farritor, Nathan Wood, Jason Dumpert
  • Patent number: 11285925
    Abstract: A foldable brake pedal apparatus for an autonomous driving vehicle is provided. In a manual driving mode in which a driver directly operates a vehicle, a lower end of a brake pedal is exposed to an interior of the vehicle to allow engagement of the brake pedal by a driver and, in an autonomous driving mode in which the driver does not directly drive the vehicle, the lower end of the brake pedal is pivoted and moved forward due to an operation of an actuator to switch to a concealed state in which an operation of the brake pedal is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Eun Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 11286017
    Abstract: An adjustable hand brake lever assembly for a proportional electric braking system for a bicycle or other vehicle. The brake lever assembly may include a sensor assembly which is adapted for use with a standard brake lever assembly as used with mechanical cable braking systems. The sensor assembly may be replaced as a unit. The sensor assembly is adapted to allow for setting the reach adjustment, allowing a user to set a preferred initial position. The adjustable brake lever assembly may be coupled to a control electronic module and a regenerative braking system on a bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: MSNS, LLC
    Inventor: Neal Saiki
  • Patent number: 11280331
    Abstract: A pump system may include a pump, a driveshaft, driving equipment, and a vibration dampening assembly configured to reduce pump-imposed high frequency/low amplitude and low frequency/high amplitude torsional vibrations. The pump may have an input shaft connected to the driveshaft. The driving equipment may include an output shaft having an output flange connected to the driveshaft. The driving equipment may be configured to rotate the driveshaft to rotate the input shaft of the pump therewith. The vibration dampening assembly may include one or more flywheels operably connected to the input shaft and configured to rotate therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: BJ Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Guillermo Rodriguez, Samir Nath Seth
  • Patent number: 11273671
    Abstract: A guard for protecting a drain plug and a ground-facing surface of an axle housing on a machine including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a body configured to be mounted to the axle housing to protect at least portion of the ground-facing surface of the axle housing. The body includes an opening configured to allow access to and removal of the drain plug through the opening. The second portion is removably couplable to the first portion. When the second portion is attached to the first portion, the second portion covers the opening to protect the drain plug. When the second portion is removed, the drain plug is accessible and removable to service oil in the axle housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Dan J. Pierce
  • Patent number: 11268701
    Abstract: A knob assembly includes a front panel, a knob located at a front side of the front panel and configured to rotate based on operation by a user, a knob shaft that is coupled to the knob and that extends through the front panel, a supporting pipe that receives the knob shaft and that supports the knob shaft, the supporting pipe being configured to maintain a position relative to the front panel, a valve configured to control supply of gas to the appliance, a valve shaft connected to the valve and configured to control the valve to adjust a flow rate of gas based on rotation of the valve shaft, and a joint that couples the knob shaft to the valve shaft and that is configured to transfer at least one of a rotational motion or a linear motion of the knob shaft to the valve shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Yeonsik Ha
  • Patent number: 11268609
    Abstract: A transmission includes a housing, having lower and upper housing parts, and having bearing seats. A web is formed on the lower housing part between two bearing seats in each case, which is pressed against a web provided on the upper housing part and between the respective bearing seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: SEW-EURODRIVE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Ermalt Lamaj, Mathias Müller, Peter Eller, Tobias Schwan
  • Patent number: 11261955
    Abstract: A transmission has a transmission housing. The transmission housing has a first opening formed in a first wall and a second opening formed in a second wall. The transmission includes a shaft that is mounted rotatably on the transmission housing via bearing devices arranged in the first opening and the second opening. The transmission includes respective covers, by which the first opening and the second opening are closed. In addition, the transmission includes screw elements, by which the covers are held on the transmission housing. A coupling element, to which the screw elements are screwed in order to hold the covers on the transmission housing, is provided. As a result of this, the first wall and the second wall are pretensioned in an axial direction of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: FLENDER GMBH
    Inventor: Andreas Döring
  • Patent number: 11260932
    Abstract: A handlebar stem, in particular for racing bicycle handlebars, comprises a main element which is connected to a handlebar at a front end. The main element is connected to the handlebar stem tube in the area of a rear end. The handlebar stem tube is connectible to a steerer tube such that it is bendable in the longitudinal direction to improve riding comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Canyon Bicycles GmbH
    Inventors: Lars Wagner, Matej Sömen
  • Patent number: 11253328
    Abstract: A surgical instrument articulation assembly includes a lead screw sub-assembly including four lead screws. A first gear sub-assembly includes first and second gears coupled to the first and third lead screws. A second gear sub-assembly includes third and fourth gears coupled to the second and fourth lead screws, respectively, a first compound gear including a distal gear coupling the first and second gears with one another, and a proximal gear coupled with a first coupling gear disposed about a first input. The third gear sub-assembly includes a second compound gear including a distal gear coupling the third and fourth gears with one another, and a proximal gear coupled with a second coupling gear disposed about a second input. A rotational input provided to the first or second input respectively rotates the first and third lead screws and or the second and fourth lead screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Kurt J. Anglese
  • Patent number: 11242889
    Abstract: An adjustable tie rod includes a first end defined by a screw rod, wherein the screw rod includes a threaded portion, and a second end opposite the first end, wherein an overall length of the adjustable tie rod is defined as a distance between the first end and the second end along a longitudinal axis of the adjustable tie rod. A tie rod shaft extends between and couples the first end and the second end, and a gearbox is fixed with respect to the tie rod shaft. An adjustment actuator is operatively coupled to the gearbox such that selective actuation of the adjustment actuator causes translation of the screw rod along the longitudinal axis and with respect to the gearbox when the first end is prevented from rotating about the longitudinal axis, thereby adjusting the overall length of the adjustable tie rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Nathanial C. Cuddy, Samuel Alexander Mori, Jonah Gary Hanson, Allyssa Katherine Young
  • Patent number: 11242923
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission includes a case member including an outer surface on the side where a torque converter is disposed and an inner surface on the side where a driving force transmission mechanism is disposed. The case member includes a supporting hole by which a bearing that supports a third shaft is supported, a supporting hole by which a bearing that supports a fourth shaft is supported, and an oil path through which an lubricant, to be supplied to the bearing and the bearing, is supplied. The oil path protrudes from the outer surface from the case member and has a straight line shape connecting between the supporting hole and the supporting hole. Thus, components can be appropriately lubricated even when it is difficult to provide lubrication pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tou Ou, Toshiyuki Fujii
  • Patent number: 11236800
    Abstract: A damper device is disclosed. The damper device includes first and second rotary members, a plurality of elastic members, and a plurality of end seat members. The first rotary member includes a first engaging portion and an annular chamber filled with a viscous fluid in an interior thereof. The second rotary member includes a second engaging portion, and is rotatable relative to the first rotary member. The plurality of elastic members are aligned in a circumferential direction in the interior of the annular chamber, and elastically couple the first rotary member and the second rotary member in a rotational direction. Each of the plurality of end seat members is disposed between one of the plurality of elastic members and at least one of the first and second engaging portions. The each of the plurality of end seat members includes an end seat communicating groove penetrating therethrough in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masataka Aikawa, Hiroki Matsuo
  • Patent number: 11231179
    Abstract: A knob assembly includes a front panel, a knob located at a front side of the front panel and configured to rotate based on operation by a user, a knob shaft that is coupled to the knob and that extends through the front panel, a supporting pipe that receives the knob shaft and that supports the knob shaft, the supporting pipe being configured to maintain a position relative to the front panel, a valve configured to control supply of gas to the appliance, a valve shaft connected to the valve and configured to control the valve to adjust a flow rate of gas based on rotation of the valve shaft, and a joint that couples the knob shaft to the valve shaft and that is configured to transfer at least one of a rotational motion or a linear motion of the knob shaft to the valve shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Yeonsik Ha