Patents Examined by Timothy Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 12679444
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a steer-by-wire system. In one example, a steer-by-wire system comprises an electric motor coupled to a steering axle via a bevel gear set, where a rotor of the electric motor is perpendicular to the steering axle, and the bevel gear set comprises a first bevel gear and a second bevel gear. The steer-by-wire system includes an overload protection arrangement, where the second bevel gear is normally coupled to a ball screw nut via a plurality of locking pins, the plurality of locking pins disengaging from the second bevel gear and allowing slipping of the ball screw nut in response to an external impact load acting on the ball screw nut exceeding a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2026
    Assignee: DANA ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Idris Poonawala, Sudatta Karmarkar, Paresh Joshi
  • Patent number: 12679493
    Abstract: A bicycle can include a frame. The frame can include a front steering axle, a front fork assembly, and a handlebar assembly for steering a front wheel of the bicycle. The bicycle can also include one or more vibration isolators. The one or more vibration isolators can be operatively connected to at least one of the frame, the front steering axle, the front fork assembly, and the handlebar assembly. The one or more vibration isolators can also be configured to exhibit a non-linear stiffness profile including a region of quasi-zero stiffness. As a result, the one or more vibration isolators isolate a rider of the bicycle from vibrations transferred through the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2026
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Michael Paul Rowe, Paul A. Gilmore, Umesh N. Gandhi
  • Patent number: 12679486
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a robot. A robot according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a body having a set volume, and traveling members provided in the left area and right area of the body and rotatably connected to the body through rotating shafts, wherein the rotating shafts are positioned to be vertically inclined at the incline of the rotating shafts so that same gradually face outward from the top to the bottom thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2026
    Assignees: IUCF-HYU (INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION HANYANG UNIVERSITY), KYONGGI UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY & ACADEMIA COOPERATION FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Taewon Seo, Youngjoo Lee, Hwa Soo Kim, Garam Park, Jiseok Lee, Joohyun Oh, Doopyo Yoon, Hobyeong Chae, Myoungjae Seo
  • Patent number: 12673550
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for controlling differential wheel speeds of multi-independent-wheel vehicles, such as four-wheel-drive electric tractors (4WD-ETs). Specifically, a method comprises determining a target speed for each wheel of the vehicle based on at least the steering input. The linear travel speeds (corresponding to these target speeds) of any two wheels are different when the vehicle turns (steering input deviates from a no-steering baseline) or the same when the vehicle travels in a straight line (steering input is at the no-steering baseline). Each target wheel speed is then used to control the rotational speed of the corresponding electric motor, which independently drives one of the vehicle's wheels. This process of determining the target wheel speeds and independently controlling all electric motors is frequently repeated such that the vehicle can be propelled through the turn at the desired speed with minimal wheel slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2026
    Assignee: DIMAAG-AI, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian Wright
  • Patent number: 12674507
    Abstract: A power take off unit includes an input gear, an output gear, and an intermediary gear that cooperate to transfer power from a rotational power source to an operating target. The power take off unit has a control module that biases the intermediary gear relative to the input gear and the output gear to reduce gear rattle vibrations associated with intermeshed tooth looseness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2026
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: John W. Burrell, John Loeffler, Brian L. Rang
  • Patent number: 12661980
    Abstract: A vehicle driving apparatus includes: (a) a power distribution device for distributing a power between a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels; (b) a differential device for distributing the power between right and left wheels that constitute one of the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels; and (c) a propeller shaft for transmitting the power to the other of the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels. The power distribution device includes a first rotary element connected to a rotating machine, a second rotary element connected to the differential device and a third rotary element connected to the propeller shaft. The third rotary element and the propeller shaft are both connected to a power transmission member between the power distribution device and one of the right and left wheels in an axial direction of the power distribution device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2026
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Koichi Okuda, Yohei Habata, Yuuki Makino
  • Patent number: 12649513
    Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, engine power consumption can be prevented, the number of components can be reduced, vehicle control functions such as automatic parking, lane keeping, driving assistance according to road surface conditions, steering vibration reduction, and autonomous driving control can be used and thus a driver's convenience can be increased, and stability can be enhanced by providing two motor-reducer structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2026
    Assignee: HL MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kyung Min Ko, Sang Hee Ahn, Jung Sik Park
  • Patent number: 12643611
    Abstract: A lifting chassis structure for a pure electric vehicle includes a chassis body, a movable front suspension, a movable rear suspension, two front lifting devices, and one or more rear lifting devices. A front subframe and a rear subframe are configured to be respectively driven by the two front lifting devices and the one or more rear lifting devices, so as to be lifted up and down respectively relative to the movable front suspension and the movable rear suspension. The movable front suspension includes two shock absorber assemblies connected to a steering assembly. The two front lifting devices are arranged in a splayed pattern. The two front lifting devices respectively correspond to the two shock absorber assemblies, and each of the two front lifting devices is parallel to an adjacent one of the two shock absorber assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2025
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: Xiamen Dalle New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Side Dai
  • Patent number: 12643351
    Abstract: A drawbar hitch assembly for coupling to a drawbar to pull an agricultural implement includes a pair of locking wedges mounted between a first and a second hitch plate. Each locking wedge is slidably engaged with an inwardly-facing ramp of the second hitch plate for movement between a locked position adapted to cradle the drawbar therebetween and an unlocked position spaced apart and adapted to be released from the drawbar. A plurality of fasteners releasably couple the first and second hitch plates. The fasteners are tightened to move the second hitch plate in a first direction, thereby urging the locking wedges to the locked position to secure the drawbar hitch assembly to the drawbar. The fasteners may also be loosened to move the second hitch plate in an opposite second direction, thereby returning the locking wedges to the unlocked position to remove the drawbar hitch assembly from the drawbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: MACDON INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventors: Neil Barnett, Cyrus Nigon, Konstantin Kolegaev
  • Patent number: 12643358
    Abstract: Suspension systems for vehicles are described that allow the suspension reaction to vertical loads to be decoupled to suspension movement in reaction to horizontal forces. Contemplated suspension systems comprise a knuckle assembly carrying at least a wheel and bearing assembly for contacting the ground at an edge of the vehicle. A first link connects a first rotatable joint to the knuckle assembly and to a chassis or subframe on the vehicle. A second link connects a second rotatable joint to the knuckle assembly and to the chassis or subframe on the vehicle. A spring and damper link connects the first link to the second link, and a spring damper system comprising a shock assembly that is mounted or coupled to the first link off a center axis of the first link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: XTravel Suspension, LLC
    Inventor: Nestor Alexander Berardi
  • Patent number: 12630142
    Abstract: A control system of a hovercraft that includes one engine and one propulsion fan enclosed in a duct in which swivel side flaps are located is described. The control system includes, downstream of the duct, at least three rudders. Each of the rudders operates in the full range of angular position, regardless of the position of the swivel side flaps. A control method of such a hovercraft is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2026
    Assignee: Lukasiewicz Research Network—Institute of Aviation
    Inventors: Krzysztof Szafran, Wieslaw Zalewski, Marcin Janiszewski, Konrad Kozaczuk
  • Patent number: 12623745
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) has a frame having front and rear ends, an internal combustion engine connected to the frame, the engine including a front portion and a rear portion, a single cylinder defining a cylinder axis, an air intake port defined in the front portion facing towards the front end of the frame, and an exhaust port defined in the rear portion facing towards the rear end of the frame. The ATV further has an exhaust assembly fluidly connected to the exhaust port. The exhaust assembly extends from the engine towards the rear end of the frame. The ATV further has a continuously variable transmission operatively connected to the engine, which includes a primary pulley being operatively connected to the engine, a secondary pulley, a drive belt looped around the primary and secondary pulleys, and a housing enclosing the primary pulley, the secondary pulley, and the drive belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2026
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Sacha Bouchard, Pascal Toupin, Simon Filion, Remi Breton, Marc Schuler
  • Patent number: 12623893
    Abstract: Systems and methods of leveling a vehicle are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: provide a plurality of air bag jacks under the vehicle; determine roll and pitch information of the vehicle; determine, using a computing system, an amount of air-adjustment to make for one or more of the plurality of air bag jacks, based on the roll and pitch information, to level the vehicle; and activate, via the computing system, an air compressor to make the determined air-adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2026
    Assignees: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryan C. Harris
  • Patent number: 12623713
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electric power steering system for a vehicle, the power steering system including: an electric motor configured to provide mechanical power to a steering mechanism of the vehicle for steering the vehicle; a housing in which the electric motor is disposed, wherein the housing comprises an inner housing in which the electric motor is disposed, and an outer housing disposed around the inner housing, and wherein an air flow path is defined within the housing, the air flow path being defined at least in part by a gap between the inner housing and the outer housing; and an air flow source arranged to generate an air flow along the air flow path to cool the electric motor, wherein the air flow source is independent from the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2026
    Inventor: George Karl Scholz
  • Patent number: 12617479
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a body 1; a plurality of travel wheels 2 at front and back portions of the body 1 on each of left and right sides; a plurality of holder mechanisms A held by the body 1 and holding the respective travel wheels 2 in such a manner as to be capable of moving the travel wheels 2 independently of one another relative to the body 1; and a plurality of crawler travel devices E attachable to and detachable from the respective holder mechanisms A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2026
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Hiraoka, Tomoyoshi Sakano, Junichi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 12617463
    Abstract: A mining vehicle and a cylinder mounting arrangement for a mining vehicle have a frame including at least one hydraulic cylinder mounted to the frame. The cylinder has a cylinder pin arranged for the mounting. The frame has an opening through which the cylinder can be inserted inside the frame and also removed. A mounting element is assembled to one end of the cylinder and the mounting element includes a front plate assembled against the outside of the frame covering the opening at least partially and two ears for the attachment to the cylinder pin. The front plate is fixed to the frame by mounting bolts or screws from the outside the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2026
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy
    Inventor: Jani Lietonen
  • Patent number: 12618732
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pinion sensor structure of a steering apparatus including a housing including a first accommodating part having an open one side surface and configured to accommodate a worm wheel and a second accommodating part configured to communicate with the first accommodating part and accommodate a worm shaft engaged with the worm wheel, a sensing unit disposed to be spaced a predetermined distance from the worm wheel to face the worm wheel, and a housing cover coupled to the one side surface of the first accommodating part, wherein the sensing unit may be fixed to the housing cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2026
    Assignee: HL MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taehyun Sung, Jaehoon Bae, Dongsik Kim
  • Patent number: 12606268
    Abstract: A transmission mechanism includes: a main shaft, a power input member, a gear component, and a one-way transmission component. The gear component is arranged on the main shaft. The one-way transmission component is sleeved on the main shaft. The one-way transmission component is connected with the power input member and the gear component. The one-way transmission component enables the gear component to perform one-way transmission under the action of the power input member. The gear component is connected with a power output member in a transmission way to change a rotation speed transmitted from the power input member to the power output member. The power input member performs reciprocating motion with the main shaft as an axis to drive the power output member to move. By arranging the one-way transmission component, the transmission mechanism can perform arc reciprocating motion, thereby improving transmission efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2026
    Assignee: SHENZHEN NANBO AUTOMATION EQUIPMENT CO., LTD
    Inventor: Liyuan Luo
  • Patent number: 12594828
    Abstract: An electric work vehicle includes a rear housing, a first motor to drive a first rear wheel, the first motor being supported by the rear housing, a second motor to drive a second rear wheel, the second motor being supported by the rear housing, and a locking assembly. The first motor is connected to a first gearing to drive the first rear wheel. The second motor is connected to a second gearing to drive the second rear wheel. The first gearing and the second gearing are operable to rotate independently of each other. The locking assembly is operable to simultaneously lock both of the first gearing and the second gearing from being able to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventor: David Kieke
  • Patent number: 12594201
    Abstract: An auxiliary drive device for a wheelchair has at least one freely pivotable electrically driven drive wheel and a coupling mechanism for coupling the auxiliary drive device to the wheelchair. The coupling mechanism includes a movable locking element which is movably supported in the coupling mechanism. The movable locking element can be in a locking position in which it causes locking in a positive-locking manner so that the auxiliary drive device is coupled to the wheelchair and, by operation of a handle, the locking element can be moved in a release position in which uncoupling of the auxiliary drive device from the wheelchair is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignee: ALBER GMBH
    Inventors: Joachim Menig, Bernd Engels