Having Four Wheels Driven Patents (Class 180/233)
  • Patent number: 11872980
    Abstract: A method for controlling wheel slip of a vehicle, which comprises a plurality of driving devices for generating driving force for driving the vehicle, includes: obtaining, by a controller, equivalent inertia information for each driving device based on operation information of each driving system during traveling of the vehicle; calculating, by the controller, a calibration amount for calibrating a driving force command or a braking force command for each wheel in real time by using the equivalent inertia information obtained; calibrating, by the controller, the driving force command or the braking force command for each wheel by using the calculated calibration amount; and controlling, by the controller, the driving force according to the calibrated driving force command or the braking force according to the calibrated braking force command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ji Won Oh, Jeong Soo Eo
  • Patent number: 11738617
    Abstract: An electronic controller (10) for a motor vehicle (100), the controller being configured to determine when at least one wheel (111, 112, 114, 115) has lost traction, wherein when the controller (10) determines that at least one wheel (111, 112, 114, 115) has lost traction the controller (10) is configured to provide an output to a driver indicative of the at least one wheel (111, 112, 114, 115) that has lost traction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Victoria Rothwell, Jason Walters
  • Patent number: 11628722
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, front and rear wheels, a powertrain comprising an engine and transmission, and various other systems and components. The frame includes various features for supporting components and systems of the vehicle. For example, a rear portion of the frame is configured to support a utility bed, a portion of a cooling system, a portion of an air intake system, and a portion of an exhaust system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua A. Rasa, David D. Helgeson, Donald S. Hansen, Alex R. Scheuerell, Steven R. Franker, Stephen L. Nelson, Jeffrey I. Peterman, Owen J. Dickinson, Timothy J. Giese, Ryan K. Lovold
  • Patent number: 11602999
    Abstract: Demand associated with one or more vehicle systems can be predicted for a vehicle traversing a planned travel path. Based at least in part on the predicted demand, a control strategy can be determined for controlling operation of the one or more vehicle systems to optimize for efficiency, cabin temperature, component temperature, passenger comfort, etc. The one or more vehicle systems can be controlled, based at least in part on the control strategy, at least one of before the vehicle traverses the travel path, or as the vehicle traverses the travel path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan O'Leary Flatland
  • Patent number: 11584352
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric machine and a controller. The controller is programmed to responsive to a threshold difference, indicative of wheel slip, between average wheel speed and a vehicle speed that is based on a difference between wheel acceleration and measured vehicle acceleration, command a speed to the electric machine to reduce the wheel slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jose Velazquez Alcantar, Joseph Jay Torres, Peter James Barrette, Richard David Bruns, Corwin Stout, Rajit Johri
  • Patent number: 11548382
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a front frame, a rear frame, an intermediate frame, a front propeller shaft, a rear propeller shaft, and a wet oiling brake. A pair of right and left front lower arms are swingably mounted to the front frame. A pair of right and left rear lower arms are swingably mounted to the rear frame. The intermediate frame is located between the front frame and the rear frame. The front propeller shaft extends forward from the engine and the rear propeller shaft extends rearward from the engine. The wet oiling brake is located within a region defined by the intermediate frame in the front-rear direction and brakes a rotation of the front propeller shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Fujimoto, Masanao Miyazaki, Shigeaki Oba
  • Patent number: 11541749
    Abstract: A moving body drive unit has an electric motor that is located inside the case and has a motor shaft extending in a first direction, a gear shaft that is located, inside the case, parallel to the motor shaft so as to extend in the first direction and has a bevel gear formed thereon, an intermediate gear mechanism that transmits power from the motor shaft to the gear shaft, and a differential gear device that is located inside the case and has a ring gear that meshes with the bevel gear to transmit power from the gear shaft to two output shafts extending in a second direction. The motor shaft and the gear shaft are arranged at different positions in both the second direction and in a third direction that is orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: KANZAKI KOKYUKOKI MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Nishizawa, Koji Kiyooka, Tasuku Inoue
  • Patent number: 11535099
    Abstract: [Technical problem] To provide a power transmission mechanism for a four-wheel drive vehicle in which a prime mover is disposed at a low position to lower the center of gravity of the vehicle while a driving path from a transmission to a front wheel differential mechanism is also shortened. [Solutions] In a power transmission mechanism for a four-wheel drive vehicle, the power of a prime mover is transmitted to a front wheel differential mechanism which is disposed in front of the prime mover, and to a rear wheel differential mechanism which is disposed behind a transmission, through the transmission which is disposed behind the prime mover. The transmission comprises a front and rear wheel drive shaft that extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The transmission is arranged separately from the prime mover and a rear axle drive device. The rear end portion of the front and rear wheel drive shaft is connected to an input shaft of the rear wheel differential mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignees: KANZAKI KOKYUKOKI MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Keisei Shimazaki, Michio Tsukamoto, Ayumi Hamada
  • Patent number: 11305748
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a primary axle powered by an actuator and a secondary axle powered by a motor. The secondary axle includes a differential, first and second halfshafts, first and second wheels, a first electric clutch selectively coupling the first wheel to the first halfshaft, and a second electric clutch selectively coupling the second wheel to the second halfshaft. A vehicle controller is programmed to: responsive to a request to activate the secondary axle and a first speed difference between the first and second wheels being less than a first threshold, engage the first and second clutches at a same time, and, in response to the request to activate the secondary axle and the first speed difference between the first and second wheels exceeding the first threshold, engage one of the clutches and then subsequently engage the other of the clutches once the one of the clutches is fully engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jose Velazquez Alcantar, Joseph Jay Torres, Matthew John Shelton
  • Patent number: 11285808
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided according to the disclosure. This vehicle comprises a gearbox, a longitudinal differential, a central tube module, at least one axle with an axle differential, wherein the axles are mounted on the central module and the longitudinal differential transmits the driving torque provided by the gearbox to the at least one axle, and a primary axle differential integrated into the powertrain between the longitudinal differential and the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: SYN TRAC GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Putz
  • Patent number: 11248363
    Abstract: A work machine, preferably a mobile work machine, has an attachment device, in particular a trench cutter. The attachment device has at least two adjustable hydraulic motors for driving independent, individually controllable loads. The hydraulic supply of the adjustable hydraulic motors takes place by a hydraulic drive unit arranged externally from the attachment device, in particular by a drive unit of the work machine. The at least two adjustable hydraulic motors of the attachment device are connected to a constant pressure network provided by the hydraulic drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Nenzing GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Reinhardt, Wilhelm Kräutler
  • Patent number: 11247259
    Abstract: A forming roller adjustment system has a shaft, a key, a roller and a ring. The key fits into a keyway in the shaft and has a projecting portion that projects outwardly from the shaft. The projecting portion includes spaced, transverse channels. The ring is rotatably attached to the roller. The roller and ring each have a shaft aperture that receives the shaft, and a keyway that receives the projecting portion of the key. The ring fits into the channels in the projecting portion of the key. When the keyways on the ring and roller are aligned, the roller is movable along the shaft. When the ring is aligned with one of the channels in the projecting portion of the key and rotated into the channel, the roller is axially locked on the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Inventors: Patrick Flood, Robert L. Eck, III
  • Patent number: 11236819
    Abstract: A gear-shift control data generation method executed by an execution device in a state where relational regulation data used for regulating a relationship between a state of a vehicle and an action variable associated with an operation of a transmission is stored includes a process for acquiring the vehicle state, a process for operating the transmission, a process for assigning, based on the vehicle state, a higher reward when a characteristic of the vehicle satisfies a criterion than when the characteristic does not satisfy the criterion, and a process for updating the relational regulation data by inputting, to an update mapping, the vehicle state, a value of the action variable, and a reward corresponding to the operation. The update mapping outputs the relational regulation data that is updated to increase an expected profit for the reward when the transmission is operated according to the relational regulation data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kota Fujii, Atsushi Tabata, Koichi Okuda, Ken Imamura, Hideaki Bunazawa, Keita Sasaki
  • Patent number: 11142185
    Abstract: The present application describes a method of controlling a vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises a hybrid powertrain including an electric propulsion system, an engine and a drivetrain that is configurable in a low-range mode or a high-range mode. The method comprises determining whether the low-range mode for the drivetrain is selected, determining whether an electric mode for the powertrain is selected, and inhibiting operation of the engine if both the low-range mode and the electric mode are selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Dan Dennehy, Steve Liggins, David Armstrong
  • Patent number: 11117587
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle drive train (1) comprising a prime mover (2), comprising a transmission (3), and comprising a driven end (4). A friction-locking shift element (10) is provided, the power transmission capacity of which is variable and, with the aid of which, at least a portion of the torque transmitted in the vehicle drive train (1) can be transmitted between a transmission output shaft (8) and an area (6) of the driven end (4). One shift-element half is operatively connected to the transmission output shaft (8) and the other shift-element half is operatively connected to the area (6) of the driven end (4). The rotational speed of the transmission output shaft (8) is determined as a function of the rotational speed in the area (6) of the driven end (4) and also as a function of the rotational speed of the prime mover (2) and the ratio currently engaged in the area of the transmission (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Karl Locher, Ahmet Macar
  • Patent number: 11097612
    Abstract: A driving force distribution control system for a four-wheel drive vehicle is provided. The four-wheel drive vehicle uses front wheels as main driving wheels, and when a towed vehicle is coupled to a coupling part provided to a rear part of the four-wheel drive vehicle, the towed vehicle has the center of gravity position so that a downward load in a vehicle up-and-down direction is applied to the rear part of the vehicle through the coupling part. A driving force distribution control device includes a towing determination module configured to determine whether the vehicle is towing the towed vehicle, and when it is determined that the vehicle is towing the towed vehicle, a driving force distribution control device controls the driving force distributing device so that the driving force distributing amount to rear wheels becomes larger than that when the four-wheel drive vehicle is not towing the towed vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yasumasa Imamura, Daisuke Umetsu, Yoichi Fujioka, Naoki Nobutani
  • Patent number: 10979873
    Abstract: A communication terminal includes: a power supply unit: a sensor: a wireless communication unit that transmits a detected value detected by the sensor to an external device in a wireless manner; and a control unit that sets one of a first mode and a second mode as an operation mode of the communication terminal, acquires the detected value detected by the sensor, and controls electric current to be supplied from the power supply unit, the electric current to be supplied to part of the control unit and the wireless communication unit in the second mode being made lower than in the first mode, wherein, when a difference between a present detected value detected by the sensor and a previous detected value detected by the sensor is smaller than a threshold value, the control unit sets the second mode as the operation mode of the communication terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: FUJITSU COMPONENT LIMITED
    Inventor: Takuya Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 10967700
    Abstract: A vehicle HVAC system delivers airflow to a vehicle occupant cabin having a front row and a rear row. The vehicle HVAC system includes a casing, a front duct, a shifter base assembly and a distribution duct. The front duct defines an airflow passageway that is fluidly coupled to the casing. The shifter base assembly is disposed in the vehicle occupant cabin and includes a base housing defining an airflow passageway that is fluidly coupled to the front duct. The distribution duct defines an airflow passageway that is fluidly coupled to the shifter base assembly and the rear row of the vehicle occupant cabin. The airflow passageways of the casing, the front duct, the base housing and the distribution duct form a continuous passageway through which air flows into the rear row of the vehicle occupant cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Brian P Sturza, Kenneth M Speck
  • Patent number: 10967735
    Abstract: A control device is to be applied to a four-wheel drive vehicle including a first coupling device interposed between a rear-wheel final gear device and a rear left wheel axle and a second coupling device interposed between the rear-wheel final gear device and a rear right wheel axle. The control device includes a controller changes a coupling torque of the first coupling device and a coupling torque of the second coupling device independently of each other. The controller estimates, when the vehicle is accelerating, a vehicle body speed of the vehicle under a state in which the coupling torque of any one of the first coupling device and the second coupling device is set to a value larger than zero and the coupling torque of another one thereof is set to zero. Thereby, the control device can accurately estimate the vehicle body speed when the vehicle is traveling while accelerating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryochi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10941816
    Abstract: A driving force connecting/disconnecting device includes an externally toothed spline provided on an outer periphery of one of a first shaft member and a second shaft member, an internally toothed spline engageable with the externally toothed spline, a sleeve provided with the internally toothed spline which is engageable with the externally toothed spline by moving in an axis line direction and connecting the first shaft member and the second shaft member for transmitting the driving force, a moving mechanism which moves the sleeve in the axis line direction, a holder which holds the sleeve and the moving mechanism, and a positioning mechanism for positioning the holder in the axis line direction by bringing the holder into contact with the one of the first shaft member and the second shaft member thereby to mount the holder to the first shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Atsushi Kajikawa
  • Patent number: 10882577
    Abstract: In a saddled vehicle, an internal combustion engine is disposed below a fuel tank and a riding seal disposed behind the fuel tank. A fuel pump is supported by a front body frame that suspends a front wheel, the fuel pump being disposed at a position where at least part of the fuel pump overlaps with the front wheel as seen in a side view. The fuel tank is supported on an upper frame member that configures part of the body frame. A protection member is extended between the upper frame member and the front body frame, and passes a front of the engine body as seen in a side view. A fuel suction pipe line is covered by the protection member from an outer lateral side and locked to the protection member, the fuel suction pipe line sucking fuel form the fuel tank to the fuel pump side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junji Higashiyama, Tomoyuki Katayama, Takeshi Kamiyama
  • Patent number: 10850735
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline including a first axle assembly having a first drive ratio. A second axle assembly in selective driving engagement with the first axle assembly, the first and second axle assemblies having a second drive ratio when in driving engagement. A control system in electrical communication with the first and second axle assemblies, wherein the control system selectively engages the second axle assembly with the first axle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Scott A. Smith
  • Patent number: 10836243
    Abstract: A drive package includes a remote located CVT and a motor where the CVT is positioned rearward (or forward) of the motor. An auxiliary drive mechanism couples a drive shaft of the CVT to a crankshaft of the motor. The auxiliary drive mechanism is a belt or chain. The drive shaft is substantially parallel to, and longitudinally offset from, the crankshaft. Thus, the width of the drive package is reduced as compared to ATVs having a CVT located adjacent the motor. A method of making an ATV with the drive package is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: ARCTIC CAT, INC.
    Inventor: Michael J. Tiry
  • Patent number: 10830291
    Abstract: A transaxle according to the present application may include: a transaxle case; an input member supported within the transaxle case; a gear drivingly connected to the input member within the transaxle case; an output member which is supported within the transaxle case and arranged at the inner peripheral side of the gear concentrically with the gear; a cage with a roller as a bidirectional overrunning clutch interposed between the inner periphery of the gear and the outer periphery of the output member within the transaxle case; and a drag mechanism provided within the transaxle case to apply rotational resistance to the cage to make the bidirectional overrunning clutch be engaged. The cage has a first end and a second end, which oppose each other in an axial direction of the output member. The first end of the cage is close to a first bearing which pivotally supports the output member to the transaxle case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: KANZAKI KOKYUKOKI MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Fukuda
  • Patent number: 10766362
    Abstract: A transfer case comprises a primary output shaft, and a secondary output shaft selectively coupleable to the primary output shaft with a plate clutch to transfer torque therebetween. The plate clutch includes a housing, a plurality of interleaved plates that are engaged alternatingly with the primary output shaft and the housing to rotate therewith, and an apply plate non-selectively coupled to the primary output shaft to rotate therewith. The apply plate is moveable axially along the primary output shaft into a first configuration in which the apply plate is positively coupled to the housing to rotate therewith, a second configuration in which the apply plate rotates independent of the housing, and a third configuration in which the apply plate compresses the interleaved plates to form a friction coupling between the primary output shaft and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thaddeus R. Kopp, Jr., Branden L. Reeves, Philip J. Francis, Joseph D. Mastie
  • Patent number: 10759416
    Abstract: An over actuated system capable of controlling wheel parameters, such as speed (e.g., by torque and braking), steering angles, caster angles, camber angles, and toe angles, of wheels in an associated vehicle. The system may determine the associated vehicle is in a rollover state and adjust wheel parameters to prevent vehicle rollover. Additionally, the system may determine a driving state and dynamically adjust wheel parameters to optimize driving, including, for example, cornering and parking. Such a system may also dynamically detect wheel misalignment and provide alignment and/or corrective driving solutions. Further, by utilizing degenerate solutions for driving, the system may also estimate tire-surface parameterization data for various road surfaces and make such estimates available for other vehicles via a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Funke, Johannes Edren, Ali Javidan
  • Patent number: 10704609
    Abstract: The vehicle drive device includes the clutch being provided between the speed reducing mechanism and the differential device, and configured to be rotated integrally with the differential device, and moved in the rotation axis direction to engage with or release from the speed reducing mechanism, and the solenoid pin capable of contacting with and separating from the outer peripheral surface of the clutch, the guide groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the clutch so as to intersect in the rotation direction of the clutch, and the solenoid pin contacts the guide groove to thereby move the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shigeru Nakayama
  • Patent number: 10688861
    Abstract: An engine airflow adjustment system that includes an engine that powers operation of a vehicle. A fan drives an airflow over the engine to convectively cool the engine. A funnel receives a portion of the airflow from the fan and directs the airflow to a specific location on the engine to blow debris off of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Samrendra Kumar Singh, Anna Jo Reisenauer, Panos Tamamidis
  • Patent number: 10668809
    Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle having an all-wheel drive driveline with a disconnecting drive unit. The method conditions changing the operational state of the all-wheel drive driveline from a connected state to a disconnected state based in part on an operational state of a vehicle torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Pillen, Tony Pistagnesi, Jeffrey L. Kincaid
  • Patent number: 10654359
    Abstract: A final transmission for agricultural and industrial motor vehicles. The transmission includes a differential unit having a support structure and a differential that transmits an input motion to an intermediate transmission shaft and a transfer unit with a final shaft that transmits the motion to the driving wheel. The final transmission also has a toothed output wheel integral to the intermediate transmission shaft which engages respectively with an internally toothed crown wheel and with an intermediate toothed wheel, and also at least one toothed support wheel which engages with the internally toothed crown wheel and with the intermediate toothed wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: CARRARO S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alberto Negri, Fiorenzo Fasolo
  • Patent number: 10625607
    Abstract: Operating a drive train of a vehicle with a clutch unit for distributing torque on a primary axis and a secondary axis of the vehicle comprises: a) determining an available drive torque; b) determining excess torque on the primary axis; c) determining an actual maximum torque on the secondary axis; d) determining the excess torque on the secondary axis insofar as the maximum torque is not exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Ltd.
    Inventors: Frank Discher, Kai Sorge
  • Patent number: 10605362
    Abstract: A control method for a vehicle with a Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) may include: determining whether it is a wheel speed-unknown state by a TCU, determining whether an input shaft speed sensor is in a normal state when it is the wheel speed-unknown state, determining whether IG-OFF occurs when it is the wheel speed-unknown state and the input shaft speed sensor IS for is in a normal state, storing information related to the current wheel speed-unknown state and an output shaft speed of the DCT determined by the input shaft speed sensor, determining whether the TCU is not in TCU latch-off and whether it was the wheel speed-unknown state immediately before IG-OFF on the basis of the stored data, when IG-ON occurs, and performing pre-engaging on the basis of the DCT output shaft speed stored immediately after IG-OFF, when the TCU is not in latch-off and it was the wheel speed-unknown state immediately before IG-OFF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventors: Sung Hyun Cho, Seong Hwan Cheong
  • Patent number: 10591036
    Abstract: A compact transaxle is provided with a multi-speed transmission mechanism having transmission shafts extended in a longitudinal direction so that the transaxle can be combined with an engine having a crankshaft in the longitudinal direction. A bevel gear serving as an output member of the multi-speed transmission mechanism having the transmission shafts meshes with a bevel gear provided on a speed-reduction intermediate shaft extended parallel to a pair of differential yoke shafts of a differential mechanism extended in a lateral direction. A single transaxle casing incorporates the multi-speed transmission mechanism, the differential mechanism, and a speed-reduction mechanism including the speed-reduction intermediate shaft, thereby constituting the transaxle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: KANZAKI KOKYUKOKI MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Matsuura, Koji Iwaki, Yasuhito Nakai, Masaru Iida
  • Patent number: 10538245
    Abstract: A forward rear drive axle of a vehicle having at least two rear drive axles has a multiple ratio gearbox and a power divider or inter-axle differential that can be connected to or disconnected from the rearward rear drive axle, so that the vehicle can be operated in 6×4 mode or in 6×2 mode. A control system is connected to the transmission and to the multiple ratio gearbox, and is configured to shift the gearbox sequentially through its ratios when the transmission is within a subset of its gear ratios chosen to maximize use of transmission gears exhibiting higher gear train efficiency. The control system is further configured to control the use of 6×4 mode or 6×2 mode independently from the shifting of the multiple ratio gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Teik-Khoon Tan
  • Patent number: 10479198
    Abstract: A transfer case for use in a four-wheel drive vehicle and having a clutch assembly disposed on a front output and a pass-through rear output arrangement. The front output is a front output shall. The rear output is established by directly interconnecting a transmission output shaft to an end segment of a rear propshaft. A transfer assembly is driven by the transmission output shaft and can be selectively coupled to the front output shaft via the clutch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel M. Drill
  • Patent number: 10464545
    Abstract: A control system of a four-wheel drive vehicle and a gradient value setting device of the vehicle is provided so as to reliably control a wheel skid despite the vehicle facing an intersecting direction intersecting a maximum tilt line direction. The vehicle includes an engine, front and rear wheels, an electronic control 4WD coupling, and a control unit. The distribution amount of the driving force to the rear wheels is set by the electronic control 4WD coupling. The control unit determines whether or not the vehicle faces the intersecting direction on the inclined road, and if so, sets the driving force distribution amount so that the difference between the driving force distribution amount to the front wheels and to the rear wheels is smaller as compared with on a flat road, and commands the electronic control 4WD coupling to distribute the driving force by the distribution amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsushi Marutani, Hideki Tani, Daisuke Kofu, Yasushi Yagi
  • Patent number: 10450006
    Abstract: A side by side vehicle is disclosed having a vehicle frame having frame tubes extending from a front to a rear. A vehicle seat frame is positioned in a mid portion of the frame, and positions a seat frame at a raised position relative to the frame tubes. A powertrain is positioned rearward of the vehicle seat frame and is coupled to the vehicle frame. Side by side seats are supported by the seat frame; and one or more storage units are positioned under the side by side seats. The side by side vehicle also has a rear suspension comprising at least one rear alignment arm coupled to each side of a rear of the vehicle frame, where the alignment arms are coupled to the vehicle frame at front and rear connection points. A distance between the front connection points is greater than a distance between the rear connection points, and at least a portion of the powertrain is positioned between the front connection points of the alignment arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Kinsman, Angus M. Morison, Keith A. Hollman, Adam J. Schlangen, Shawn D. Peterson, Richard D. Ripley, Brent A. Erspamer, Steven M. Schiebel
  • Patent number: 10449943
    Abstract: A brake ECU (abnormality detection device) includes: an operating amount obtaining portion configured to obtain a measurement value of a stroke; a hydraulic pressure obtaining portion configured to obtain a measurement value of a reaction force hydraulic pressure having a mutual relationship with respect to the stroke; an operation direction determining portion configured to determine directions of operation of outputs from a stroke sensor and a pressure sensor; a failure detection range switching portion configured to switch the failure detection range for detecting failures of a hydraulic pressure braking force generating device in accordance with the direction of operation; and a failure determining portion configured to determine the failure of the hydraulic pressure braking force generating device from the failure detection range switched by the failure detection range switching portion, the measurement value of the stroke, and the measurement value of the reaction force hydraulic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignees: ADVICS CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahiro Okano, Yusuke Kamiya, Masaaki Komazawa, Takeshi Okawa
  • Patent number: 10414273
    Abstract: A zero turn vehicle is described. The vehicle comprises a frame, a prime mover, a transaxle, first and second gear boxes, first and second driven wheels, an operator foot platform, and an expansion tank. The transaxle is aft of the prime mover and has opposing first and second output shafts. The first and second gearboxes are respectively driven by and pivotable about the first and second output shafts. The first and second gear boxes respectively have first and second output axles aft of the first and second output shafts. The first and second driven wheels are respectively engaged with the first and second output axles. The operator foot platform is between the first and second gear boxes and aft of the transaxle. The expansion tank is between the transaxle and the operator foot platform and between the first and second gear boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Raymond Hauser
  • Patent number: 10415687
    Abstract: A transmission adapter apparatus and method includes an adapter with a first side and a second side, an inside and an outside, and a circumferential edge with a width surrounding a hollow center with a diameter. A speed sensor receiver is provided in the circumferential edge from the outside to the inside with an opening from the outside into the hollow center where the speed sensor receiver is configured to receive and retain a speed sensor and where the speed sensor receiver is perpendicular to a centerline through the hollow center of the adapter. A speed sensor retainer lip is provided in the receiver such that a speed sensor located in the speed sensor receiver is retained at a selected distance from the hollow center of the adapter. Holes are provided in the adapter where the holes are configured to align with a transmission housing and a transfer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Inventors: David Hemry, Karen Hemry
  • Patent number: 10363815
    Abstract: A device and a method for operating a multi-axle drive device. The multi-axle drive device has a synchronizing clutch present in an operative connection between a first output shaft and a connecting shaft and at least one separating clutch present in an operative connection between the connecting shaft and a second output shaft. The synchronizing clutch and the separating clutch are disengaged in a first operating state and are engaged in a second operating state. When a shifting variable exceeds a first shifting threshold during the first operating state, the synchronizing clutch is at least partially engaged and the separating clutch is engaged only when a second shifting threshold is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Dieter Weidemann, Heiko Hanickel, Florian Kolb, Hans Jörg Brühl
  • Patent number: 10322646
    Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle provided with an exhaust duct structure is capable of reliably diluting hydrogen flowing into an exhaust duct. The fuel cell vehicle includes a vehicle body, an air-cooled fuel cell mounted in the vehicle body to generate power by allowing hydrogen gas and oxygen in air to react with each other, an exhaust duct through which exhaust air of the fuel cell is guided to a rear end of the vehicle body and is discharged outside the fuel cell vehicle, and a fan guiding air into the exhaust duct to dilute hydrogen in the exhaust duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Gaku Shimonihara, Kengo Ikeya, Yoshifumi Takai
  • Patent number: 10316967
    Abstract: CVT controller has rotation speed sensors detecting driving and driven wheel rotation speed; driving and driven wheel speed difference detection unit detecting wheel speed difference ?vfr; and bad road judgment unit judging that road is bad road when ?vfr is first value ?vfr_br or greater. CVT controller further has first belt clamping force increase unit increasing belt clamping force in case where road is judged to be bad road, as compared with case where road is not judged to be bad road; vibration detection unit detecting vehicle speed vibration fvsp; and second belt clamping force increase unit increasing belt clamping force when ?vfr is second value ?vfr_psec or greater or when fvsp is third value fvsp_psec or greater in case where road is not judged to be bad road, as compared with case where ?vfr is less than ?vfr_psec and case where fvsp is less than fvsp_psec.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignees: JATCO Ltd, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kosuke Abe, Shin Tsukamoto, Seiichiro Takahashi, Hiroyasu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10293687
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes a current detector configured to output a detection signal in accordance with the magnitude of an actual control current, a target current value calculator configured to calculate a target current value that is a target value of the control current, and a current controller configured to control a current output circuit to output the control current having the target current value calculated by the target current value calculator based on a result of detection performed by the current detector. When the four-wheel drive vehicle is in a two-wheel drive mode in which first and second friction clutches are released, the current controller performs zero-point adjustment for adjusting a zero point of the control current to be output from the current output circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohiro Nozu, Go Nagayama, Shotaro Niimi, Akiyoshi Kakita, Kotaro Sarai
  • Patent number: 10286893
    Abstract: A device for operating an all-wheel-drive agricultural commercial vehicle with a driven rear axle and a front axle that can be engaged for performing an all-wheel-drive mode. A control unit determines, during the all-wheel-drive mode, a front wheel slip parameter that characterizes a drive wheel slip occurring on the front axle of the agricultural commercial vehicle. The control unit deactivates the all-wheel-drive mode independent of the driver if this unit detects that the determined front wheel slip parameter is greater than a specified threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Woopen, Florian Reinmuth
  • Patent number: 10273737
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a drive arrangement, comprising a motor drive shaft, which makes the drive force of a motor available, an output shaft, via which the drive arrangement outputs and accumulates a rotational force, a coupling, which is designed to transmit a rotational force from the motor drive shaft to the output shaft and from the output shaft to the motor drive shaft, and a braking arrangement, which counteracts a rotational movement of the output shaft with a braking force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Müller, Jörg Hillen, Mathias Wieland
  • Patent number: 10252624
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive device (8) for a motor vehicle (1) having two drivable wheels (6, 7) on a wheel axle (3), said drive device comprising an electric machine (9), which is designed as an asynchronous machine and which has at least one stator (10) and at least one rotor (11, 12), wherein the rotor (11, 12) is or can be operatively connected to at least one of the wheels (6, 7) in order to drive said wheel. According to the invention, the electric machine (9) has two rotors (11, 12), which can rotate independently of one another, each of which is or can be operatively connected to one wheel (6, 7) of the wheel axle (3), and a device for varying the electric rotor resistance of at least one of the rotors (11, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Arndt Kelleter, Dimitrios Stavrianos
  • Patent number: 10252615
    Abstract: A control device mounted on a four-wheel drive vehicle includes: a slip ratio calculating unit that obtains a slip ratio of main driving wheels based at least on wheel speeds; a smoothing unit that smooths the slip ratio by filtering; and a driving force control unit that controls a driving force transmission device so that a driving force that is transmitted to auxiliary driving wheels increases as the slip ratio smoothed by the smoothing unit increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu Kondo, Tomoaki Kato, Go Nagayama, Akiyoshi Kakita, Kotaro Sarai
  • Patent number: 10207751
    Abstract: A motor gearbox assembly is provided for a vehicle having two wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle. The assembly includes two independent drive systems that each include an electric motor and an associated gear train, each drive system being configured to independently drive one of the wheels. The assembly further includes a common housing that receives the motors and the gear trains such that the gear trains are at least partially positioned between the motors. Furthermore, at least portions of the drive systems have generally inverse orientations in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle when the motor gearbox assembly is mounted on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: NIKOLA MOTOR COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Anthony A. Heaton, Morgan Mackelprang, Steve Jennes, Adrian Hawkins
  • Patent number: 10151259
    Abstract: The engine control device comprises a basic target torque-deciding part for deciding a basic target torque based on a driving state of a vehicle, a torque reduction amount-deciding part for deciding a torque reduction amount based on a steering wheel operation state, an TCM for deciding a torque-down demand amount, based on a driving state of the vehicle other than the steering wheel operation state, and a final target torque-deciding part for deciding a final target torque, based on the decided basic target torque, the decided torque reduction amount and the decided torque-down demand amount, wherein the final target torque-deciding part is operable, when there is a torque-down demand, to restrict a change in the final target torque corresponding to a change in the torque reduction amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chikako Ohisa, Osamu Sunahara, Daisuke Umetsu, Takuo Hirano, Kunihiro Shishima, Takahiro Kawamura, Yasunori Takahara, Daisaku Ogawa, Takeatsu Ito