Patents Examined by Timothy Hannon
  • Patent number: 11629763
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a clutch assembly for a manual transmission of a motor vehicle, having an axially running transmission input shaft which, by way of a clutch having a central release mechanism disposed on the transmission input shaft, is able to be coupled to a motor output shaft. The transmission input shaft has at least one ferromagnetic measuring portion. The magnetization of the ferromagnetic measuring portion is able to be influenced in a magnetoelastic manner by a torsion of the transmission input shaft. Portions of the central release mechanism surround the at least one measuring portion and has a sensor device which is specified for measuring a variable as a function of the magnetization of at least one measuring portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andreas Tissot, Carsten Weber, Frank Kraemer, Bernhard Mueller
  • Patent number: 11619272
    Abstract: A dog clutch engagement method of an electric four-wheel drive vehicle includes steps of: when dog clutch engagement is requested during driving, determining a target synchronization speed of the input gear to be a sum of an estimated speed and an offset speed of the output gear; operating a drive unit so that an input gear follows the target synchronization speed; when an actual speed of the input gear reaches the target synchronization speed, moving a sleeve to a meeting position at which the sleeve is in contact with the input gear; and when the actual speed of the input gear is synchronized with an actual speed of the output gear, transporting the sleeve to an engagement position at which the input gear and the output gear are coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Dong Pil Yoon, Se Hoon Park, Won Seok Choi
  • Patent number: 11614161
    Abstract: A method for determining reference values of a sensor corresponding to a disengaged operating condition or to an engaged operating condition of a hydraulically actuatable, form-locking shift element (A, F), where at least one operating parameter of the form-locking shift element (A, F) is detected with the sensor during a disengagement and during an engagement of the form-locking shift element (A, F). The method may include subdividing an operating range of the shift form-locking element (A, F) into temperature and pressure classes. The method may further include determining a deviation between a current reference value for a temperature and pressure class of the temperature and pressure classes and an adapted reference value previously determined for the temperature and pressure class. Additionally, the method may include increasing or decreasing the adapted reference value by a predefined increment based on the deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Christian Pannek, Martina Jehle
  • Patent number: 11614132
    Abstract: An apparatus of controlling a twin clutch includes: a twin clutch that selectively blocks power supplied from a drive motor to a pair of drive wheels of a vehicle; and a clutch controller that is configured to control the twin clutch by determining target torques applied to respective clutches included in the twin clutch, based on the straight-line driving state detected by the driving information detection unit, determining a correction error based on a difference between actual torques applied to the respective clutches included in the twin clutch when a preliminary activation signal, which is determined based on the target torques, is turned on and a main activation signal, which is determined based on the actual torques applied to the respective clutches, is turned on, determining a balancing control compensation amount based on the correction error, and determining a final control amounts applied to the respective clutches based on the balancing control compensation amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, KIA CORPORATION, HYUNDAI WIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taewoo Lee, Jeong Won Song, Sung Keun Lim, JunSeok Park, Pu Reun Lee, Jong Chan Lee, Heon Kang
  • Patent number: 11614131
    Abstract: An apparatus to be applied to a vehicle including a transmission configured to execute a gear shifting operation for changing a gear ratio by engaging or disengaging friction engagement elements having friction members pushed by a piston that moves through hydraulic pressure supply to an oil chamber, the apparatus including: a memory storing mapping data for defining mapping, the mapping including a pressure variable and a period variable as input variables, the mapping including a stroke amount as an output variable, the pressure variable indicating a waiting pressure, the period variable indicating a waiting period; and a processor configured to: acquire values of the input variables, and calculate a value of the output variable by inputting, to the mapping, the acquired values of the input variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Koichi Okuda, Kota Fujii, Ken Imamura
  • Patent number: 11614130
    Abstract: A dynamic controllable dog clutch (DCDC) includes a pocket plate, a notch plate, and a linear actuator having a stator and a translator. The translator is axially movable between (i) an engaged position in which a locking member axially extends through the a pocket of the pocket plate and engages a notch of the notch plate to thereby mechanically couple the pocket plate and the notch plate together to prevent relative rotation of the pocket plate and the notch plate with respect to each other about a common rotational axis and (ii) a disengaged position in which the locking member is disengaged from the notch of the notch plate to thereby mechanically decouple the pocket plate and the notch plate together to enable relative rotation of the pocket plate and the notch plate with respect to each other about the common rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua D. Hand
  • Patent number: 11608864
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a transmission are provided. The method includes estimating a stroke position of the hydraulic control piston based on a pressure of a fluid in a hydraulic line and a valve and a coefficient of the hydraulic line, where the hydraulic line is coupled to a chamber of the hydraulic control piston. The method further includes controlling a pressure of fluid delivered from the valve to the hydraulic control piston based on the estimated stroke position to achieve a piston stroke set-point during a filling phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: DANA ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Mario Gelmini, Pier Paolo Rinaldi
  • Patent number: 11603890
    Abstract: A selectively connectable driveline system including a first rotatable shaft extended along a lateral direction, a second rotatable shaft extended along the lateral direction separable along the lateral direction from the first rotatable shaft, and a coupling assembly moveable along the lateral direction. The coupling assembly is connected to the first rotatable shaft and is further selectively connectable to the second rotatable shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: GE AVIO S.R.L.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Silvestro, Ivan Borra
  • Patent number: 11603928
    Abstract: A vehicle drive device (1) is disclosed that includes a shift detent mechanism (90); an actuator (74) that generates drive power for allowing the shift detent mechanism to operate; a sensor (135) that generates sensor information indicating an amount of operation of the shift detent mechanism; a control part (153) that controls the actuator; and a clutch (30) that is synchronized with operation of the shift detent mechanism, and when the control part changes a state of the clutch, the control part performs feedback control of the actuator based on a relationship between a target value for an amount of operation of the shift detent mechanism and the sensor information, and before completing the change in the state of the clutch, the feedback control ends and operation of the actuator stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: AISIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Sato, Subrata Saha, Hideki Kakisako, Shotaro Kondo, Junichiro Ohtsubo
  • Patent number: 11603892
    Abstract: A power transmission device has a first clutch member 4a coupled to an output member 3. A second clutch member 4b has a plurality of driven-side clutch plates 7. A back-torque transmitting cam presses the drive-side clutch plates 6 and the driven-side clutch plates 7 against each other by moving the second clutch member 4b when a rotational force is input to the first clutch member 4a. A cushioning member 12 is interposed between the first clutch member 4a and the second clutch member 4b. The cushioning member 12, by being compressed, applies an urging force while allowing movements of an interlocking member 9 and a pressure member 5 in a process where the interlocking member 9 moves and the pressure member 5 moves from the inactive position toward the active position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Ozawa, Han Hiong Chen, Makoto Kataoka, Masataka Murai
  • Patent number: 11603894
    Abstract: A method for adapting a biting point filling time of a hydraulically actuated hybrid disengaging clutch is implemented step by step during driving of the motor vehicle via a plurality of selected engagement phases of the hybrid disengaging clutch with a manipulation of the customary rapid filling routine. Proceeding from an initially stored biting point filling time, a filling time which is shortened in comparison with this for a subsequent rapid filling routine is increased step by step, in each case by an increment. Here, an actual value which is set in each case for a test parameter, from which a change in the transmission of torque of the hybrid disengaging clutch can be derived, is detected until the actual value corresponds to a setpoint value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Lukas Spath, Robert Weissenrieder, Markus Terwart, Moghtader Salehan
  • Patent number: 11603893
    Abstract: A method of setting a clutch control reference value includes monitoring the pressure of a clutch while a controller applies test current having a predetermined amplitude and frequency to a solenoid valve in the manner of gradually reducing the magnitude of the test current from a predetermined entry value, applying, when the amplitude of the pressure of the clutch starts to change, predetermined checking current, the checking current vertically oscillating based on the magnitude of current when the amplitude of the pressure of the clutch starts to change as a central value, and determining a volumetric kiss point (VKP) by comparing the amplitude of the pressure of the clutch according to application of the checking current with a predetermined reference range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Young Ho Ko, Chi Hun Cho, Soo Young Kim
  • Patent number: 11598381
    Abstract: Provided is a clutch that is able to not only transmit torque smoothly even when an input shaft and an output shaft significantly differ in relative speed and phase, but also reduce an energy loss during torque transmission. The clutch (10) includes a dog clutch (40) for transmitting forward or reverse torque from the input shaft (11) to the output shaft (12), and a friction clutch (20) for transmitting torque from the input shaft (11) to the output shaft (12) and disposed in parallel with the dog clutch (40), and selectively transmits or interrupts torque between the input shaft (11) and the output shaft (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: UNIVANCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadahiko Kato, Hideya Ooike, Yoshihiro Asada
  • Patent number: 11590840
    Abstract: A lubricant supported electric motor assembly includes an electric motor module, a shifting and first stage module, and a final drive module sequentially operably interconnected with one another for producing drive torque that is ultimately conducted to a wheel of a vehicle. The electric motor module includes a stator and a rotor defining an internal rotor cavity. The shifting and first stage module is disposed within the internal rotor cavity and includes a first planetary gear reducer assembly and an output gear selectively coupleable to said first planetary gear reducer assembly. The final drive module is disposed adjacent the shifting and first stage module and includes a second planetary gear reducer assembly operably coupled with the output gear. A shifting mechanism establishes selective coupling between the first planetary gear assembly and the output gear to transfer adjustable torque from the shifting and first stage module to the final drive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: ELECTRIC PROPULSION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Remboski, Mark Versteyhe, Gary Rogers, Gorazd Gotovac, Marko Podgorelec, Sebastjan Er{hacek over (c)}ulj, Bla{hacek over (z)} Grafenauer, Ga{hacek over (s)}per {hacek over (S)}u{hacek over (s)}ter{hacek over (s)}i{hacek over (c)}, Martin Strojnik
  • Patent number: 11585396
    Abstract: A method for automatically warming up a clutch actuator for a clutch of a transmission in a vehicle, wherein the clutch actuator is operable by use of pressurized fluid and configured to actuate the clutch from an engaged to a disengaged state, and/or vice versa, the method including: identifying if a temperature is below a predetermined temperature value and if the clutch actuator is leaking, and if it is identified that the temperature is below the predetermined temperature value and that the clutch actuator is leaking; then repeatedly pressurizing the clutch actuator by use of the pressurized fluid until a state is reached indicative of the clutch actuator being functional, or until a maximum run out state is reached indicative of a faulty clutch actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Ödül Bilen, Magnus Blanckenfiell
  • Patent number: 11581787
    Abstract: A hybrid module comprising a housing, a torque converter, and a resolver assembly is provided. The torque converter comprises a turbine having a turbine shell including at least one blade attached thereto; an impeller having an impeller shell including at least one blade attached thereto; and an impeller hub attached to a radially extending end of the impeller shell. The resolver assembly comprises a rotor connected to an outer surface of the impeller hub and a stator connected to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Scott Angel
  • Patent number: 11572058
    Abstract: A method determines the biting point of a hybrid disconnect clutch of a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid disconnect clutch disconnects or connects an internal combustion engine and a first electric motor, which is arranged on the output side. A second electric motor, which is arranged on the internal combustion engine side and is rigidly connected to the internal combustion engine, is operated at a constant rotational speed during electric travel by means of the first electric motor. The hybrid disconnect clutch is moved from the open state toward the closed state and the load on the second electric motor is monitored. When the load on the second electric motor reaches a predefined load threshold value, it is determined that the biting point has been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Timo Enders
  • Patent number: 11572053
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle including a continuously variable transmission includes determining, by a controller, whether a speed difference between a speed of a vehicle according to revolutions per minute (RPM) of a driving wheel of the vehicle and a speed of the vehicle according to revolutions per minute (RPM) of a towed wheel of the vehicle is equal to or greater than a speed reference value and reducing, by the controller, torque of an engine providing a driving force to a driving pulley of the continuously variable transmission when the difference in vehicle speed is equal to or greater than the speed reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Jin Young Hwang
  • Patent number: 11549559
    Abstract: A dual direction, selectable one-way clutch is provided that can be set to be fully free to rotate in both directions, can be fully locked in both directions, and can provide a one-way clutch option in both directions. The actuator to change the clutch state is electromechanical and only requires power to change a coupling state of the clutch. The clutch is formed by two sets of struts carried by pocket plates on opposite sides of a center plate that includes spaced apart drive openings, and the struts are engageable/disengageable with the drive openings in order to provide for the different locked and one-way clutch states. One or more actuator rings are provided to activate or disengage the struts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: John Brevick
  • Patent number: 11543003
    Abstract: An electric axle assembly includes an electric motor having an output shaft. A two stage gear train is coupled with the output shaft. The two stage gear train includes two reduction gears which provide different gear ratios. A differential is provided. A hollow differential input shaft is splined with the differential wherein the hollow input shaft supports driven gears that rotate independently relative to the hollow differential input shaft. A sliding dog clutch is splined to the hollow differential input shaft selectively engaging the driven gears or maintaining a neutral position wherein the electric motor and gear train are disconnected from the differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Sarah E. Behringer, Thomas A. Genise