Patents Examined by William C. Joyce
  • Transmission for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 10871203
    Abstract: A dual clutch transmission for a motor vehicle including two sub-transmissions, each having at least one input shaft. An output shaft outputs drive from both sub-transmissions. The input shafts are arranged on an input shaft axis and the output shaft is arranged on the input shaft axis or a parallel countershaft axis. An intermediate gear system includes at least one countershaft which is arranged on the countershaft axis. At least four shifting elements are arranged such that, in each case, at least two shifting elements are arranged on the input shaft axis and on the countershaft axis. At least one input shaft can be connected to the output shaft by way of two wheel planes and/or at least one shifting element. Preferably half of the shifting elements are unsynchronized and at least one-third of the shifting elements are synchronized. Also a method for operating a dual clutch transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Bernd Schepperle, Michael Preuβ
  • Manual transmission unit with traction gear
    Patent number: 10871204
    Abstract: A manual transmission unit has at least one input shaft, a transmission output shaft, a first intermediate shaft, a second intermediate shaft, a traction device, a plurality of gears and at least two traction wheels and a plurality of torque transmission devices for selectively connecting tooth and traction wheels to at least one of the shafts. Torque from the transmission input shaft can be transferred directly to the transmission input shaft by the traction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Schleich
  • Hybrid drive train for a hybrid-drive motor vehicle
    Patent number: 10864814
    Abstract: A hybrid drivetrain for a hybrid-drive vehicle, having a transmission, which can be shifted by shifting elements into different transmission steps, and which is connectable with respect to drive via an internal combustion engine shaft to an internal combustion engine, via an electric machine shaft to an electric machine, and via an output shaft to at least one vehicle axis. The internal combustion engine shaft and a pinion shaft, which can be connected with respect to drive to the output shaft, are connectable via spur gearwheel sets, which can be shifted by means of shifting elements and which each form gear planes, of which at least one hybrid gear plane is additionally connectable to the electric machine shaft. A further gear plane, which is free of attachments with respect to the electric machine shaft, directly adjoins the hybrid gear plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Steffen Hummel
  • Vehicle transmission
    Patent number: 10859139
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission has a plurality of gear positions that are to be selectively established, and includes: an input shaft; a first shaft; a second shaft; an output shaft; at least one first drive gear disposed on the first shaft; at least one second drive gear disposed on the second shaft; at least one driven gear disposed on the output shaft; a dog clutch connecting and disconnecting between the input shaft and each of the first and second shafts; and a synchronous meshing apparatus. The synchronous meshing apparatus connects and disconnects between each of the first and second shafts and the output shaft, and, when connecting between each of the first and second shafts and the output shaft, establishes a power transmission path from each of the first and second shafts to the output shaft via a selected one of the at least one first or second drive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Motorsport GmbH
    Inventors: Tomohiro Yoshimura, Shinichi Takeuchi, Akihiko Ichikawa, Jun Yabuta, Klemens Pollmeier, Lars Van Leeuwen, Andree Miller, Patrizio Agostinelli
  • Humanoid robotics system and methods
    Patent number: 10850386
    Abstract: A system may include a mobile base, a spine structure, a body structure, and at least one robotic arm, each of which is movably configured to have significant human-scale capabilities in prescribed environments. The one or more robotic arms may be rotatably coupled to the body structure, which may be mechanically associated with the mobile base, which is preferably configured for holonomic or semi-holonomic motion through human scale travel pathways that are ADA compliant. Aspects of the one or more arms may be counterbalanced with one or more spring-based counterbalancing mechanisms which facilitate backdriveability and payload features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Willow Garage, LLC
    Inventors: Eric H. Berger, Keenan Wyrobek
  • Hybrid driveline assembly
    Patent number: 10850603
    Abstract: A hybrid driveline assembly that includes a mode clutch, a driving member and a mode clutch shift fork is provided. The mode clutch dog has a first portion that is selectively coupled to a rotation of a first shaft. The first shaft is coupled to receive torque from a first type of motor. The mode clutch dog further has a second portion that is coupled to a rotation of a second shaft. The second shaft is coupled to receive torque from a second different type of motor. The driving member has a first end that is selectively coupled to the mode clutch dog to selectively lock rotation of the driving member with rotation of the mode clutch dog. The driving member further includes at least one gear. The mode clutch shift fork is engaged with the mode clutch dog to selectively manipulate a position of the mode clutch dog.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: TEAM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory L. Maki
  • Transmission for motor
    Patent number: 10851873
    Abstract: A transmission for a motor is provided, which optimizes a transmission for outputting a rotational force only in one direction at different shifting ratios according to forward/reverse rotation directions of a rotational shaft of the motor while enabling a reverse input, accurately transmits the rotational force without slippage and has durability even upon use thereof for a long period of time, thereby improving reliability and shifting accuracy and maximizing marketability and market competitiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: MBI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyuk Yoo, Tae-Jin Jung, Sung-Cheol An, Moon-Soo Yoo
  • Inverted compound harmonic drive
    Patent number: 10823268
    Abstract: A compound harmonic drive including: a first internal ring gear; a second internal ring gear, the second internal ring gear being coaxial to the first internal ring gear; a first external gear located within the first internal ring gear and coaxial to the first internal ring gear, the first external gear meshes with the first internal ring gear; and a second external gear located within the second internal ring gear and coaxial to the second internal ring gear, the second external gear meshes with the second internal ring gear. The first internal ring gear and the second internal ring gear are composed of a flexible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Derick S. Balsiger, Nicholas R. Van De Veire
  • Latch with linearly operated lock lever
    Patent number: 10822844
    Abstract: An actuator for a latch is provided, the actuator having: a motor operatively coupled to a gear train; and a sector gear pivotally mounted to the actuator and operatively coupled to the gear train, wherein rotational movement of the sector gear is translated into linear movement of a link operatively coupled to the sector gear and wherein linear movement of the link causes a linear movement of a portion of a lock lever operatively coupled to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Milne, John Rice, Donald M. Perkins, Ian Dow
  • Power converting device from timber drive rollers to an attached implement
    Patent number: 10767731
    Abstract: A transmission device 10 coupled to a processor energy source 12 having one or more processor driving rollers 14. The processor 12 provides energy to the transmission device 10. Multiple driven winch drive rollers 32 are supported by the body 18. A vertically-oriented propeller shaft 36 coupled with an implement such as a chipper are attached to the body 18.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: GSE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Glen Raymond Simula, David Jon McKinstry
  • Transmission for vehicle
    Patent number: 10767734
    Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle may include a first input shaft continuously receiving rotational power from a power source; a second input shaft selectively receiving the rotational power of the power source through a clutch; a first counter shaft and a second counter shaft connected to the first input shaft and the second input shaft through a transfer gear pair, respectively; a controlling device selecting the transfer gear pair to transfer the rotational power from the first input shaft and the second input shaft to the first counter shaft and the second counter shaft; a one-way clutch allowing the rotational power provided to the first input shaft to be transferred only from the first input shaft toward the first counter shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Soon Ki Eo, Chon Ok Kim, Chae Hong Lim
  • Gear mechanism providing passive ratio switching
    Patent number: 10760650
    Abstract: A gearbox includes a first shaft operatively coupled to an output of an engine, with the first shaft having a first longitudinal axis. A second shaft is operatively coupled to a driveshaft of an electric machine, the second shaft having a second longitudinal axis. The second longitudinal axis is non-coaxial with the first longitudinal axis. A geartrain operatively couples the first and second shafts. The geartrain is structured to passively switch between a first gear ratio and a different second gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventor: John P. O'Brien
  • Robot and method for designing robot shape
    Patent number: 10759064
    Abstract: A robot includes a movable unit and a driving unit that drives the movable unit. The movable unit includes a predicted colliding section that is a structure forming an outer shape of the movable unit and may collide with a human body during movement of the movable unit. The predicted colliding section is formed to have a predetermined shape such that a pressure applied to a human body is lower than a predetermined safety standard value for pressure for the human body when the movable unit is driven at maximum thrust by the driving unit and collides with the human body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignees: DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takemoto, Hiroshi Kondoh
  • Device, transmission, and universal mechanical coupling of forces having different magnitudes and direction (D.T.U.M.C.)
    Patent number: 10753428
    Abstract: A device, transmission and universal mechanical coupling which allows transforming rotating forces of different magnitudes and directions being applied on the same rotating shaft (1) and obtaining a unidirectional motion in an output shaft (2) which can be used in any environment. The device consists of an input shaft (1), an output shaft (2) and two linking means (3 and 5) and (4, 9, and 6) between these two shafts (1 and 2) which are provided with at least a unidirectional coupling device (7a and 7b) each, and which, in the most basic form thereof lacks of a rotation inverter (15a ).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Inventor: Marco Antonio Rodriguez Ramirez
  • Dual clutch transmission
    Patent number: 10746260
    Abstract: A dual clutch transmission may include a first input shaft having a plurality of odd stage driving gears; a second input shaft disposed to have a concentric shaft with the first input shaft and including a plurality of even stage driving gears; an output shaft; a counter shaft disposed parallel to the first input shaft, the second input shaft, and the output shaft to continuously transfer power to the output shaft and including odd stage driven gears engaged with the odd stage driving gears and even stage driven gears engaged with the even stage driving gears; a plurality of synchronous devices; a plurality of shift forks coupled to the plurality of synchronous devices; and one shift rail provided to commonly guide a linear sliding of the plurality of shift forks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventors: Sun Sung Kwon, Soon Ki Eo, Yeo Hyeon Gwon
  • Dual clutch transmission for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 10746259
    Abstract: A dual clutch transmission for a motor vehicle provided with gearwheels sets that are shiftable via switching elements, which form in particular exactly eight wheel planes, which are respectively assigned to a first sub-transmission and to a second sub-transmission, among which each sub-transmission is provided with an input shaft and both sub-transmissions are provided with a common output shaft. The input shafts, which are coaxial to each other, can be alternately activated via a load-shiftable clutch, and the odd forward gears are assigned to the first sub-transmission and the even forward gears are assigned to the second sub-transmission, which can be shifted during a gear shift by means of the switching elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Steffen Hummel
  • Dual clutch transmission for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 10746258
    Abstract: A dual clutch transmission for a motor vehicle, including gearwheel sets that can be shifted via shift elements, which form exactly eight gear stages which are assigned to a first sub-transmission and to a second sub-transmission. Each sub-transmission is provided with a joint drive shaft. The mutually coaxial input shafts can be alternately activated via a respective power-shiftable clutch, and the even forward gears are assigned to the first sub-transmission and the odd forward shifts are assigned to second transmission which can be switched over during gear shifting by the shift elements. The dual clutch transmission is provided with an intermediate gear stage which can be switched either to the first sub-transmission, or to the second sub-transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Steffen Hummel
  • Seat driving device
    Patent number: 10737591
    Abstract: A seat driving device includes a rotary motor having a rotary shaft, operation members, and clutch mechanisms. The operation members are separately arranged to respectively correspond to position adjustment mechanisms. The clutch mechanisms are separately arranged to respectively correspond to the position adjustment mechanisms. When any one of the operation members is operated, each clutch mechanism selectively connects the corresponding position adjustment mechanism to the rotary motor. In response to operation of any one of the operation members, the rotary motor is energized with the polarity corresponding to the operation direction of the operation member. Each clutch mechanism is arranged with respect to the rotary motor such that the axis of the clutch mechanism is parallel with the axis of the rotary shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Sadao Ito
  • Transmission device for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 10731731
    Abstract: A transmission device for a motor vehicle includes a multi-speed transmission; a multidisc clutch assigned to the multi-speed transmission for changing gears of the multi-speed transmission, and an actuating device for actuating the multidisc clutch, wherein the actuating device has a wedge mechanism which is operatively connected with the multidisc clutch for actuating the multidisc clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Andreas Petz, Josef Rusch, Roman Strasser
  • Wave generator and strain wave gearing
    Patent number: 10718420
    Abstract: A strain wave gearing has a wave generator provided with a plug and a roller bearing. The roller bearing is provided with flange plates fixed to both sides of the plug, and outer circumferential edge portions of the flange plates protrude outwardly from a plug outer circumferential surface so as to locate on both sides, in an axial line direction, of the raceway of rollers. The movements of the rollers in the axial line direction are constrained by the outer circumferential edge portions. The movement of retainer in the axial line direction is constrained by engaging with the rollers. The movement of each component part of the roller bearing in the axial line direction can be constrained without using additional components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Masaru Kobayashi, Tatsuro Hoshina