Patents Examined by Zakaria Elahmadi
  • Patent number: 11835116
    Abstract: An inner circulation ball screw includes a screw shaft, a nut, and a return member. The nut is disposed on the screw shaft to form a load path with the screw shaft. The return member is disposed in an accessory slot of the nut to form a non-load path connected with the load path to form a circulation path for circulation of balls. The return member has a ball-discharging channel provided with one end connected with an ineffective thread section of the nut and the other end communicating with a ball-discharging hole of the nut. Therefore, the balls are allowed to move to the outside of the nut through the ball-discharging channel and the ball-discharging hole for preventing the balls from being stuck in the ineffective thread section, thereby solving the problems of high resistance and damaging to related accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: HIWIN TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
    Inventors: Szu-Wei Yu, Chih-Ching Tsai, Shang-Hua Tsai
  • Patent number: 11827289
    Abstract: A planetary roller screw drive for a steering actuator includes a screw spindle and a planetary roller assembly arranged thereon. The planetary roller assembly includes a roller body, planetary rollers arranged between the screw spindle and the roller body and which mesh with the screw spindle and with the roller body. A planetary roller carrier holds the planetary rollers. A drive pulley is connected for conjoint rotation with the planetary roller carrier and is rotatably mountable on a housing via first and second radial bearings. These radial bearings include respective inner race rings that are located on the drive pulley. First and second face plates are located at axial end regions of the drive pulley, and the face plates are rotationally fixed to respective inner race rings. The face plates are also rotationally fixed to the planetary roller carrier. An assembly method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kyle Dehoff, Trenton Dean
  • Patent number: 11820011
    Abstract: An articulated robot arm comprises a plurality of skeleton links. Motorized joint units forming joints between adjacent ones of the skeleton links such that the skeleton links of the adjacent ones are rotatable relative to one another. One or more skin shells are provided for the skeleton links, the skin shell forming a non-structural skin around the at least one of the skeleton links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: KINOVA INC.
    Inventors: Louis-Joseph Caron L'Ecuyer, Jonathan Lussier, Mathiew Moineau-Dionne, Alexandre Picard
  • Patent number: 11821497
    Abstract: A preload detectable screw device is provided which can detect preload with accuracy and can reduce the influence of generated heat on the output of a sensor. A screw device (1) includes a screw shaft (2), a nut member (3), a plurality of rolling elements (7, 8), at least one axial strain sensor (24) (B, D) that is attached to a surface of the nut member (3) and detects strain in an axial direction on the nut member (3), and at least one circumferential strain sensor (24) (A, C) that is attached to the surface of the nut member (3) and detects strain in a circumferential direction on the nut member (3). Preload of the screw device (1) is detected on the basis of outputs of the axial strain sensor (24) (B, D) and the circumferential strain sensor (24) (A, C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: THK CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yuji Kubota, Yoshinobu Moriyuki
  • Patent number: 11821496
    Abstract: A linear actuator (1) comprising an electric motor (20), a transmission (40), a spindle (80) being connected to the transmission (40), a spindle nut (81) being arranged on the spindle (80), a housing (10), an outer tube (3) being connected to the housing (10), and an inner tube (2) being connected to the spindle nut (81). The spindle nut (81) and the inner tube (2) are guided inside the outer tube (3). The transmission (40) including a transmission housing (41), a transmission input end and a transmission output end positioned opposite the transmission input end. A coupling (30) including a first coupling part (32) being connected to the output end of the transmission, a second coupling part (34) being connected to the end of the spindle and a coupling member (36) disposed between the first and second coupling parts (32, 34) and slidably engaged with the first and second coupling parts (32, 34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Linak A/S
    Inventor: Rupert Jensch
  • Patent number: 11820005
    Abstract: A substrate transfer robot for transferring a substrate in a vacuum chamber, includes: a transfer arm platform having coupling holes, wherein a link connecting member with blades is engaged at a front area of the transfer arm platform and a support shaft of a lower support is inserted into the lower space of one of the coupling holes; and a first and a second transfer arm part each including an end effector for supporting the substrate, multiple transfer link arms and subordinate link arms, and a common link arm that are connected to each other or to the transfer arm platform, wherein, the transfer link arms include at least some of drive shafts, interlocked with transfer driving motors or speed reducers, and output shafts interlocked with the drive shafts, and wherein the end effectors are positioned at different heights from each other through using a bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: T-Robotics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soo Jong Lee, Myung Jin Kim, Chang Seong Lee, Seung Young Baek, Chang Hyun Jee, Sang Hwi Ham, Moon Gi Hur, Jae Hyun Park, Tae Han Lee
  • Patent number: 11815179
    Abstract: An actuator for a transmission may include a shift fork coupled to a sleeve; a ball screw mounted to pass through a portion of the shift fork; and at least a guide shaft mounted to pass through a portion of the shift fork to be parallel to the ball screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jong Yun Park, Sung Wha Hong, Hang Chul Cho
  • Patent number: 11813743
    Abstract: A robotic system includes a support structure, a platform, a center serial chain, outer serial chains, motors, a sensor, and a control module. The center serial chain connects a center of the platform to the support structure and includes first joints connected to a linear sliding shaft. The outer serial chains are disposed radially outward of the center serial chain. Each of the outer serial chains includes second joints connecting a bar to the platform and the supporting structure. The motors are connected to the outer serial chains. The sensor is connected to the platform and detects at least one of force or torque applied by a human operator on the platform and generates a signal indicative thereof. The control module controls the motors based on the signal to assist the human operator in at least one of moving or rotating the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignees: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Shanghai JiaoTong University
    Inventors: Qiao Sun, Xianbao Chen, Jing Sun, Dalong Gao, Feng Gao, Ningjian Huang
  • Patent number: 11808329
    Abstract: There is provided a ball screw mechanism for which a return of a sphere, such as a conventional circulating ball screw, need not to be considered, and that can prevent vibration and noise and avoid an increase in heat by ensuring smooth movement of a sphere without causing ball jam or the like of a sphere on a screw shaft. The present invention includes a screw shaft 2 that has a spiral groove 2a and extends linearly, a housing 30 that surrounds a periphery of the screw shaft 2, and a plurality of spheres 4 and ball bearings 5 that transmits thrust of the screw shaft 2 to the housing 30. Each ball bearing 5 includes an outer ring 7 attached and fixed to the housing 30 at regular intervals along the spiral groove 2a of the screw shaft 2, and an inner ring 6 provided with a concave spherical contact surface 5a in contact with the sphere 4 on a side surface facing the screw shaft 2. Each inner ring 6 is rotatably disposed about rotation axes N1 to N4 orthogonal to a rotation axis O of the screw shaft 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Inventor: Hayato Mizuno
  • Patent number: 11807098
    Abstract: A rotary shifter having a cylindrical shaped knob with an inner circumferential surface defining an open interior and exhibiting a detent profile. A stationary inner housing is positioned within an open interior of the knob and supports outwardly biased pawls establishing an interface with the detent profile in a selected rotational position. The inner housing supports a rotating spur gear having an end secured magnet positioned above a sensor incorporated into a printed circuit board (PCB), rotation of the knob resulting in the sensor to communicate to a processor component of the PCB a given rotational position designating a given shift or mode selection. The knob includes an illuminating surface for presenting menu options of the shift or mode selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Kuster North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Calogero Alu, Christopher Soave
  • Patent number: 11801609
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a shafting structure of an integrated joint for a collaborative robot, wherein two ends of a long input shaft are respectively a motor rear end and a flexspline end, and a harmonic gear drive is installed on the flexspline end; the motor rear end is coaxially provided with a motor rear end bearing set, a motor rear end inner race pressing ring, a motor rear end outer race pressing ring, a motor rear end outer race seat and a motor rear end angle encoder mounting seat; and the flexspline end is provided coaxially with a flexspline end bearing set, a flexspline end inner race pressing ring and the harmonic gear drive. In the present invention high-precision position feedback and control can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: GUANGZHOU ACCUGLEN INTELLIGENT TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ying Ai, Weihong Pan, Suzhen Yan, Jun Dong
  • Patent number: 11796036
    Abstract: Actuator provided with a low voltage DC motor which is coupled via a two-stage reduction mechanism with an output gear wheel, wherein the reduction mechanism comprises a first stage with a worm carried on the motor shaft of the DC motor, which worm in a right-angle transmission cooperates with the circumference of an intermediate gear wheel, which intermediate gear wheel is carried on an intermediate shaft which carries along its axis a spiral pinion, and wherein the reduction mechanism furthermore comprises a second stage with the spiral pinion which in a parallel transmission cooperates with the circumference of the output gear wheel, which is implemented as a spiral gear wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Stefan Fritz Brouwer
  • Patent number: 11788611
    Abstract: An actuator with a worm gear positioning mechanism, which includes: a shell casing (10); a motor (20) having a worm rod (21); a transmission assembly (30) having a guiding screw rod (31), a worm gear (32) and a bearing (33), the worm gear (32) having an annular member (321) having an inner circumferential surface (322); an outer tube (40) having an outer circumferential surface (41) attached to the inner circumferential surface (322), the worm gear (32) being positioned between the worm rod (21) and the outer tube (40) on a radial direction; and a telescopic tube (50) disposed in the outer tube (40) and having an inner tube (51) and a screw nut (52), the screw nut (52) moveably screwed with the guiding screw rod (31) to make the inner tube (51) linearly movable relative to the outer tube (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: TIMOTION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yu-Chang Lin
  • Patent number: 11780490
    Abstract: A gearbox assembly for power take off from an electric motor of an electric power assisted steering apparatus comprising a gearbox housing which houses a worm shaft and a gear wheel, is disclosed. The worm shaft incorporates one or more external helical worm teeth. A main bearing assembly supports the worm shaft at an end closest to the motor. A tail bearing assembly supports the worm shaft at an end furthest from the motor, in which at least the tail bearing assembly is free to move relative to the housing through a limited range of motion that enables the worm shaft to move radially away from the axis of the wheel gear. The gearbox assembly further comprises a flexible coupler which connects the worm shaft at the main bearing end to a power take off from the motor so as to transfer torque from the motor to the worm shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Steering Systems Poland Sp. Z.o.o.
    Inventors: Marcin Komorowski, Artur Wojtalik, Pawel Ponikiewski
  • Patent number: 11781636
    Abstract: Provided is a gearbox for vehicle seats that can inhibit rattling of its shaft while inhibiting an increase in sliding resistance at a shaft end. The gearbox is used in a movable mechanism of a vehicle seat, and including a housing, a thrust bearing, and a cap. The housing accommodates a shaft, a gear, and a rotary bearing therein, and includes a female screw portion. The thrust bearing includes a force applied portion to be in contact with an end of the shaft, a male screw portion threadedly engaged with the female screw portion, and an engaged portion arranged to interpose the male screw portion between the engaged portion and the force applied portion in an axial direction of the shaft. The cap includes an engaging portion in engagement with the engaged portion of the thrust bearing, and a removal stopper restricting removal of the thrust bearing from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Tatewaki, Tomokazu Fukuda, Kentaro Morishita
  • Patent number: 11754167
    Abstract: A gear device includes a housing, a cover, and a gear. The cover covers an opening of the housing. The gear is accommodated in the housing. One of the housing and the cover includes a projection projected toward the gear and having a center axis that extends along a rotation axis of the gear. The gear includes a recess that receives the projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Noriyuki Sakurai, Kohei Izuchi, Toshiaki Nagata
  • Patent number: 11719314
    Abstract: The disclosure is a nut structure for an electric pushing rod. The electric pushing rod has a guide screw (A) with an outer thread (A1). The nut structure includes a metal cylinder (10) and a plastic intermediate component (20). The metal cylinder (10) has a pivot hole (11) being passed through by the guide screw (A). An inner wall of the pivot (11) is provided with an inner thread (12). The plastic intermediate component (20) covers the inner thread (12) and is disposed of between the outer thread (A1) and the inner thread (12). The plastic intermediate component (20) includes a fixed side thread (21) mounted on the inner thread (12) and a driving side thread (22) screwed with the outer thread (A1). Therefore, the strength may be enhanced to avoid both the nut structure from being broken and the driving side thread (22) from getting stripped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: TIMOTION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yu-Chang Lin
  • Patent number: 11719323
    Abstract: The invention relates to a worm drive comprising a worm shaft and a first receiving unit. The worm shaft is rotatably mounted in the first receiving unit. Furthermore, the worm drive comprises a worm wheel and a second receiving unit. The worm wheel is rotatably mounted in the second receiving unit. The first receiving unit is arranged on the second receiving unit and the rotatably mounted worm shaft is in contact with the worm wheel of the second receiving unit in order to transmit a torque. Furthermore, the worm drive comprises guide pins for detachably connecting the first receiving unit to the second receiving unit. More particularly, the first receiving unit receives at least part of the guide pins and the second receiving unit is connected to one of the guide pins, preferably to a first end of the guide pin. A spring element is arranged on a second end of the guide pin between the first receiving unit and a fastening means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Moog GmbH
    Inventor: Daniel Eitelbuss
  • Patent number: 11708885
    Abstract: A drive device includes: a motor; and a power transmission device that transmits power of the motor to a wheel. Further, in the power transmission device has a meshing portion in which a meshing tooth that is formed on an input-side rotation member and a meshing tooth that is formed on an output-side rotation member mesh with each other on a power transmission path between the motor and the wheel, the meshing tooth has a driving-side teeth surface that makes contact for transmission of power from the motor to the wheel and a non-driving-side teeth surface that makes contact for transmission of power from the wheel to the motor, and in the meshing tooth, a tooth root of the driving-side teeth surface has a higher breaking strength than a tooth root of the non-driving-side teeth surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kensuke Yoshizue
  • Patent number: 11708108
    Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle includes a housing section, a rack section configured to penetrate the housing section, a case section mounted in the housing section, and a sensor section, mounted in the case section, configured to engage the rack section and sense an amount of movement of the rack section while being rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kwang Yoon Kim, Suk Won Lee