With Differential Means For Driving Two Wheel Sets At Dissimilar Speeds Patents (Class 180/248)
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Patent number: 9671003Abstract: A multi-output differential gear apparatus includes a first differential gear having a first output gear and a middle gear, and second differential gear having a second output gear and a third output gear.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2013Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Research & Business Foundation Sungkyunkwan UniversityInventors: Hyouk Ryeol Choi, Jung Seok Suh, Homoon Kim, Yun Seok Choi
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Patent number: 9657826Abstract: An electric drive system for a vehicle includes an electric motor with a stator disposed circumferentially around a rotor. The rotor connects to a support frame that extends radially inwards to couple the rotor to a first planetary gear assembly and a second planetary gear assembly. The stator, rotor and the first and second planetary gear assemblies are disposed within a stationary housing. The first and second planetary gear assemblies couple to first and second clutch packs respectively, that are disposed outside of the stationary housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2016Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventor: Thomas Morgan
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Patent number: 9611906Abstract: A hydraulic system for a vehicle clutch assembly can include a pump and a purge valve for regulating hydraulic pressure supplied to the clutch. The hydraulic pressure at the pump can be set to a value higher than the operating pressure for the clutch. The purge valve can be configured to purge hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic system so that an optimum, controllable, and/or pre-determined operating pressure can be supplied to the clutch. The system can be configured to provide accurate control of the clutch(es), continuous cooling capacity to the hydraulic system components, lateral torque control when two separate hydraulic circuits are used, weight and cost reduction of the vehicle clutch, as well as other vehicle functions and characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2007Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Tetsushi Asano
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Patent number: 9599171Abstract: A one-way clutch includes: an inner ring provided with an inserting opening for permitting insertion of a rotation shaft and rotatable integrally with the rotation shaft by being engaged with the rotation shaft; an outer ring engaged with an outer peripheral surface of the inner ring and rotatable in one direction relative to the inner ring and non-rotatable in a direction opposite to the one direction; and an elastic metal plate member, engaged with the inner ring, for limiting movement of the inner ring relative to the outer ring in a rotational axis direction of the outer ring. When the rotation shaft is mounted in the inner ring, the elastic metal plate member includes a leaf spring portion positioned and elastically deformable in a gap between the rotation shaft and the inner ring.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2015Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoshimasu Yamaguchi, Takashi Uno
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Patent number: 9587735Abstract: A power unit includes a transmission adapted to transmit rotational power from a crankshaft to a drive axle, with speed change. The transmission has an input shaft rotatably supported on a crankcase. A hydraulic clutch, configured to be selectively engaged and disengaged, is disposed coaxially with the input shaft. A clutch cover covering the hydraulic clutch is connected to the crankcase. A clutch actuator, which controls switching between engagement and disengagement of the hydraulic clutch, and an actuator cover, which covers the clutch actuator in a liquid-tight manner, are mounted to an outer surface of the clutch cover. An oil temperature sensor is mounted to the actuator cover, and is provided for detecting a temperature of oil in an oil chamber, formed between the clutch cover and the actuator cover.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshimasa Mitsubori, Eiji Kittaka, Dai Arai
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Patent number: 9579584Abstract: A torque distribution system for a model racing car includes a front pair of wheels, a front axle, a front differential coupled to the front axle, a rear pair of wheels, a rear axle, a rear differential coupled to the rear axle, a center differential a front driveline coupling the center differential and the front differential, a rear driveline coupling the center differential and the rear differential, and a motor coupled to the center differential. The motor and center differential are mounted in the car at an angular orientation with respect to the centerline. The front and rear drivelines are angularly oriented at different angular orientations. The differing angular orientations of the front and rear drivelines are characterized by corresponding differing amounts of friction, resistance or efficiency of the front and rear drivelines to transmission of torque.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Inventor: Russ Wernimont
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Patent number: 9579975Abstract: A drive axle system and a method of control. The drive axle system may include a first drive axle assembly and a second drive axle assembly that may be operatively coupled via a slip clutch.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLCInventors: Todd R. Ekonen, Dale Kwasniewski
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Patent number: 9573464Abstract: A differential device of a four-wheel drive vehicle which is operated in selected one of a two-wheel drive state in which a drive force from a drive power source is transmitted to left and right main drive wheels and a four-wheel drive state in which a drive force from the drive power source is transmitted to the left and right main drive wheels and left and right auxiliary drive wheels, the differential device including a disconnect mechanism with which a power transmission member for transmitting a drive force only to the auxiliary drive wheels in the four-wheel drive state is separated from the auxiliary drive wheels in the two-wheel drive state, the differential device comprising: a cylindrical ring gear supported rotatably around one rotation axis by a case; a differential case including one and the other cylindrical end portions in a rotation axis direction of the ring gear and supported at the one end portion by the ring gear and at the other end portion by the case rotatably and concentrically with thType: GrantFiled: March 9, 2016Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takahiro Yoshimura, Ryota Horie
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Patent number: 9566852Abstract: A drive train (1) of an all-electrically drivable motor vehicle has a first axle (2) with a differential (6), and two electric machines (15, 16). The first axle (2) can be driven by the electric machines (15, 16) via a transmission (17). One (16) of the two electric machines (15, 16) can be decoupled from the transmission (17) via a switchable clutch (23). Different driving conditions of the motor vehicle operated by the drive train can be executed with a particularly good efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2012Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: Dr. Ing h.c. F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Daniel Knoblauch, Martin Fuechtner
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Patent number: 9555795Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine coupled to a planetary gearset and an electric motor configured to provide motor torque directly to a torque transfer set. An overdrive clutch is configured to, when engaged, bypass at least a portion of engine torque to an overdrive shaft directly connected to the torque transfer set. This allows the engine to also provide torque directly to the torque transfer set along with the motor in an overdrive mode of operation. At least one controller is programmed to control the motor and/or the engine based on an estimated amount of torque transferred through the overdrive clutch.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Daniel Scott Colvin, Andrew Cheng
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Patent number: 9522679Abstract: A vehicle controller includes an hybrid vehicle (HV) ECU, a motor-generator (MG) ECU, a brake ECU, a first communication line that enables one-to-one connection between the HV ECU and the MG ECU, and a second communication line that enables connection among plural ECUs including the HV ECU and the brake ECU. The MG ECU calculates an operation torque of first and second MGs. The MG ECU is communicable with the brake ECU via the second communication line. In addition, the controller includes a microcomputer that serves as a travel state determiner for determining whether a travel state of a hybrid vehicle is a transition state in which a drive wheel alternatively slips and grips. Based on a determination result of the microcomputer, the controller switches to the first communication line in a normal state and to the second communication line in the transition state.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2015Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Naoto Sakai
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Patent number: 9518622Abstract: A clutch device having an actuating device, in particular for a drivetrain of a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine, an electric machine with a stator and a rotor, and a transmission device, wherein the clutch device can be positioned in the drivetrain between the internal combustion engine on the one side and the electric machine and the transmission device on the other side, the clutch device and the actuating device are integrated into the rotor of the electric machine, and the actuating device has an adjustable ramp device with first ramps and second ramps and a planetary transmission with a ring gear, a sun gear, planet gears and a planet carrier, wherein the first ramps are assigned to the ring gear and the second ramps to the planet carrier, in order to improve the clutch device structurally and/or functionally.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2013Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Florian Vogel
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Patent number: 9428051Abstract: A disconnectable all-wheel drive vehicle driveline having a primary driveline, a power take-off unit (PTU), a secondary driveline, a hydraulic pump and a driveline actuator. The PTU has a PTU input member, which is driven by the primary driveline, a PTU output member and a first coupling that selectively couples the PTU input and output members. The secondary driveline includes a second coupling that selectively inhibits power transmission through the secondary driveline. The hydraulic pump is configured to operate the first coupling but is powered by a synchronization event in which the second coupling is engaged so as to back drive the PTU output member.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2015Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Frederick E. Zink, Charles G. Stuart
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Patent number: 9422012Abstract: A motor vehicle for use in chauffeur operation, in particular a taxi or a limousine, has at least one driver's seat, at least one foot pedal and at least two front wheels. In order to design a vehicle to meet the specific requirements of short-distance chauffeur operation, the driver's seat is arranged between the front wheels in such a way that the foot pedal is positioned, viewed in the driving direction, between the axles, preferably in front of the front wheel axle.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2013Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: HEBEI D-DYNAMIC NEW ENERGY CAR STOCK CORPORATION LTDInventor: Herwig Fischer
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Patent number: 9393950Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, torque output of a motor is controlled to include a reserve torque for starting an engine that may be selectively coupled to the motor. Additionally, the motor torque compensates for disconnect clutch closing.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2013Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark Steven Yamazaki, Francis Thomas Connolly, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Xiaoyong Wang, Rajit Johri
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Patent number: 9387095Abstract: A prosthesis or an orthosis such as a hand prosthesis (10) comprises a moveable component (12). The moveable component (12) has a motor (14) operable to drive a worm gear (16). The hand prosthesis (10) also comprises a worm gear wheel 18 fixedly mounted on a support member (20). The moveable component (12) extends generally tangentially with respect to the worm gear wheel (18) and is mounted for rotation about the worm gear wheel (18). The worm gear (16) is in engagement with the worm gear wheel (18) such that, when the motor (14) is operated in use of the hand prosthesis (10), the moveable component (12) rotates about the worm gear wheel 18. The moveable component (12) includes two electrical contact members (50a) and (50b) and the worm gear wheel (18) includes two electrical contact surfaces (52a) and (52b).Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2013Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: TOUCH BIONICS LIMITEDInventors: Gordon McLeary, Hugh Gill
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Patent number: 9382694Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method of controlling a vehicle of construction equipment, which calculate a target engine torque from compensation torque information using torque information generated in a hydraulic pump and an engine speed error and transmit the calculated target engine torque, thereby more stably performing engine control while responding to a rapid load variation of the hydraulic pump.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: Doosan Infracore Co., Ltd.Inventors: Dong Mok Kim, Lee Hyoung Cho
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Patent number: 9352648Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a drivetrain (10) of a motor vehicle, having the steps: detecting at least one variable which quantifies and/or influences a movement of the motor vehicle; activating an all-wheel drive system of the motor vehicle as a function of the variable; wherein it is estimated, on the basis of the at least one variable, whether a relevant driving situation is impending, and in this case only, the all-wheel drive system is activated before the onset of the relevant situation. The invention also relates to a system for operating a drivetrain (10) of a motor vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2013Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: AUDI AGInventors: Hans Jörg Brühl, Dieter Weidemann, Heiko Hanickel
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Patent number: 9347541Abstract: A power transfer unit assembly for transferring torque from a differential carrier to a propeller shaft includes an input shaft configured to be rotatably driven by the transmission differential carrier about a first axis of rotation of the differential carrier. A first bevel gear is engaged with a second bevel gear. The first bevel gear is annular and concentrically surrounds the input shaft. The second bevel gear is configured to rotatably drive the propeller shaft about a second axis of rotation of the propeller shaft that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis of rotation. The power transfer unit assembly has a compound planetary gear set concentric with the first axis of rotation. The compound planetary gear set is configured to transfer torque from the input shaft to the first bevel gear at a reduction ratio. Modular power transfer unit assemblies having common components are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Craig R. Brooks
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Patent number: 9248738Abstract: A power transmission device for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes an input shaft adapted to be driven by a power source. A first output shaft is rotatable about a first axis and adapted to transmit torque to a first driveline. A second output shaft is adapted to transmit torque to a second driveline and is rotatable about a second axis. The first and second axes diverge from one another. A transfer unit includes a drive member rotatably supported on the first output shaft and a driven member coupled to the second output shaft. A joint is positioned within a cavity formed in the driven member and drivingly interconnects the driven member and the second output shaft. The driven member includes first and second portions separable from and re-mountable to each other to allow service to the joint.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2013Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.Inventors: Carl F. Stephens, William A. Hellinger, Dale R. Fine
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Patent number: 9243673Abstract: A driving force transmission control apparatus includes a multiple disc clutch including a plurality of outer clutch plates, and a plurality of inner clutch plates; a pressing mechanism that presses the multiple disc clutch; and a control portion that controls the pressing mechanism. The outer clutch plates and inner clutch plates are engaged with an intermediate shaft and an inner shaft respectively. The control portion makes a determination as to whether the multiple disc clutch is in a first operating condition in which the multiple disc clutch is pressed with a relative rotation speed between the intermediate and the inner shafts being equal to or higher than a predetermined value, or in a second operating condition in which the multiple disc clutch is pressed with the relative rotation speed being lower than the predetermined value, and the control portion controls the pressing mechanism based on a result of the determination.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2013Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventors: Akira Kodama, Kenta Taniguchi
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Patent number: 9239066Abstract: In a hydraulic controller of driving force distribution device, including: a hydraulic circuit composed of an oil pump for supplying hydraulic fluid to a piston chamber of a clutch (or a driving force distribution device), an opening and closing valve installed in an oil passage between a check valve and the piston chamber, and an accumulator communicating to the piston chamber; control is performed so that the piston chamber reaches a target hydraulic pressure based on the 1st characteristic by closing the opening and closing valve and driving the oil pump at the time of pressurizing the piston chamber; and control is performed so that the piston chamber reaches a target hydraulic pressure based on the 2nd characteristic by prohibiting the driving of the oil pump along with opening the opening and closing valve.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2012Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yasuhiko Sugo, Ryuichi Murakami, Kenichiro Hayashi, Nobutaka Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 9233610Abstract: A method and apparatus that compensates for a velocity of a motor of fuel cell vehicle when a resolver is determined to have failed is provided. In particular, a wheel velocity sensor is configured to detect a wheel velocity of a driving wheel, and an ABS controller is configured to calculate an average wheel velocity and transmit the calculated average to a fuel cell controller (FCU). The FCU is configured to receive information related to the wheel velocity upon detecting that the resolver has failed, and control driving of the motor based on the data related to the wheel velocity so that the motor may maintain operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2013Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Kichang Kim, Kil Young Youn
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Patent number: 9228910Abstract: An apparatus for diagnosing an abnormality in a torque sensor that is connected to a controller of an electric power steering apparatus by two systems includes a steering speed determination unit that determines whether a variation speed of a steering angle equals or exceeds a predetermined speed on the basis of a detection result from a steering angle sensor, an integrated value calculation unit that calculates an integrated value of an input torque detected by the torque sensor within a sampling period extending from a point at which a steering wheel is steered at or above the predetermined speed to a point at which the steering wheel returns to a neutral position, and an abnormality determination unit that determines that an abnormality has occurred in the torque sensor when the integrated value of the input torque is equal to or smaller than a predetermined reference integrated torque.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2013Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: KAYABA INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: Kazuhiro Sasaki, Hisazumi Ishikawa, Daisuke Nishio
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Patent number: 9206792Abstract: A hydraulic pressure supply system of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may generate low hydraulic pressure and high hydraulic pressure using oil stored in an oil pan and may supply the low hydraulic pressure and the high hydraulic pressure respectively to a low pressure portion and a high pressure portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2012Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Taehwan Wi, Jin Young Hwang, Se Hwan Jo
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Patent number: 9156445Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle includes an input shaft connected to a rear drive shaft and extending in a front-rear direction of the vehicle, an output shaft connected to an axle and configured to rotate by receiving a driving force from the input shaft, a brake operator on which an operation is performed to brake the input shaft, a plate group disposed between a wall portion of a housing and a cam member, a cam plate disposed between the cam member and the plate group, an operation shaft extending in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the input shaft, a first engagement protrusion protruding from the cam plate, a second engagement protrusion protruding from the operation shaft and engaging with the first engagement protrusion, a lever rotatable together with the operation shaft, and an operation cable connected to the brake operator and the lever.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2014Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroyuki Fujimoto
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Patent number: 9073544Abstract: A controller architecture for a vehicle including a multi-mode powertrain system includes an engine controller having a control routine for determining and executing engine torque commands responsive to a hybrid engine torque command, and a control routine for determining a propulsion axle torque command responsive to an output torque request. The controller architecture further includes transmission controller having a control routine for selecting and effecting operation of the passive transmission in a preferred gear responsive to the output torque request. The controller architecture further includes a hybrid controller having control routines for determining and executing torque commands for each of the non-combustion torque machines and for determining the hybrid engine torque command to achieve a desired axle torque in response to the propulsion axle torque command with the passive transmission operating in the preferred gear.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2013Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Anthony H. Heap, Sean W. McGrogan, Kiana Whitehead, Michael Livshiz
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Patent number: 9061577Abstract: Provided is a driving device for rear wheels of a 4 wheel driving electric vehicle, which can minimize a loss in the drive power during 4-wheel by transmitting the drive power to the rear wheels based on a disconnector input shaft, rather than a clutch, after synchronizing a rotating speed of the disconnector input shaft based on a first motor with a rotating speed of a hub based on rear wheels. Other aspects of the present invention provide a driving device for rear wheels of a 4 wheel driving electric vehicle, which can prevent a loss in the drive power during 2-wheel driving by preventing a load based on a differential device from being generated by connecting the differential device between a reduction gear group and the disconnector input shaft.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2013Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Hyundai Wia CorporationInventor: Hong Kyu Choi
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Patent number: 9061685Abstract: A drive state control apparatus is applied to a vehicle which has not only a transfer including a multi-disc clutch mechanism but also a changeover mechanism interposed in an axle and which can be switched between 2WD and 4WD. When a 2WD-to-4WD changeover condition is satisfied, the multi-disc clutch is immediately switched from a “decoupled state” to a “coupled state.” Meanwhile, a connecting operation of the changeover mechanism is started upon establishment of a state in which left and right rear wheels have no acceleration slippage, and a state in which rotational speeds of first and second axles on opposite sides of the changeover mechanism are approximately equal to each other. In addition, in the case where the left and right rear wheels have acceleration slippage after the 2WD-to-4WD changeover condition has been satisfied, an E/G output reduction control is executed. Thus, the connecting operation can be performed smoothly.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2011Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignees: Aisin AI Co., Ltd., JTEKT CorporationInventors: Kazutaka Kobayashi, Yoshiyuki Aoyama, Takeshige Miyazaki, Akihiro Ohno, Ryohei Shigeta, Tomoaki Kato, Go Nagayama
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Patent number: 9053635Abstract: Disclosed is a cruise control method including traveling a vehicle at a speed input by a driver, receiving road information from a navigation device, confirming whether or not deceleration information is present in the road information, confirming a speed corresponding to the deceleration information if the deceleration information is present, and controlling a speed of the vehicle to the confirmed speed if the confirmed speed is greater than the input speed. If the vehicle speed exceeds the speed limit of a road, the vehicle speed is automatically reduced to below the speed limit, and a warning operation is performed. Thereby, probability of accidents due to speeding may be reduced, and it may be possible to make the driver obey the Road Traffic Act and to prevent imposition of fines due to speeding. Further, the vehicle speed is automatically reduced at bumps or curves, resulting in enhanced safety and driver convenience.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2012Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: MANDO CORPORATIONInventor: Byung Suk Park
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Patent number: 9022158Abstract: A four-wheel-drive vehicle includes a dog clutch provided between a propeller shaft and an engine, a torque coupling provided between a rear differential and rear wheels, and an ECU that controls the dog clutch and the torque coupling. When a drive mode is switched from a two-wheel-drive mode where the transmissions of torque by the dog clutch and the torque coupling are both interrupted, to a four-wheel-drive mode, the ECU sets the amount of torque that is transmitted by the torque coupling to a first torque value (T1) to increase the speed of rotation of the propeller shaft, and then sets the amount of torque that is transmitted by the torque coupling to a second torque value (T2) that is lower than the first torque value (T1), and engages the dog clutch when the rotations of first and second rotary members of the dog clutch are synchronized with each other.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2013Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: JTEKT CorporationInventor: Masaki Mita
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Patent number: 9016150Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes a transaxle configured to drive front wheels and a power take-off unit configured to drive rear wheels through a driveshaft. The power take-off unit includes a disconnect clutch such that the power flow path to the rear wheels can be disconnected to reduce fuel consumption and reconnected when needed for traction enhancement. Although the disconnect clutch is physically located within the power take-off unit, it is actuated by fluid from the transaxle valve body. The disconnect clutch actuator includes a piston that slides within a chamber in a housing and a solenoid controlled valve that fluidly connects the chamber either to a pressure source or to the transaxle sump.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2014Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Andreas E. Perakes, Matthew David Hammond, Laurence Andrew Deutsch, Steven Anatole Frait
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Patent number: 8986151Abstract: A powertrain with a disconnecting rear drive axle generally includes a prime mover including an output that rotates about a rotational axis. A transmission includes an output that rotates about a rotational axis. The rotational axes of the outputs are substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the powertrain. A front driveline is operable to direct rotary power from the prime mover to front vehicle wheels. A rear driveline includes a propeller shaft that provides rotary power to a first shaft member and a second shaft member through a pinion and a ring gear. The first shaft member and the second shaft are operable to connect to rear vehicle wheels. A power switching mechanism has an engaged condition and a disengaged condition. The power switching mechanism is operable to direct the rotary power from the transmission to the rear driveline in the engaged condition. A torque transfer device has an engaged condition and a disengaged condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2010Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Paul J. Valente, James P. Downs
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Patent number: 8978810Abstract: The present invention provides a tractor which is configured such that front wheel axles are disposed above upper portions of front wheels so that the front wheels are prevented from being impeded by the front wheel axles even when the front wheels are steered to maximum angles in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction and turned to an angle over or approximate to a right angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the tractor, whereby the tractor can be turned in place by manipulating a steering wheel.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2011Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Daeho Co., Ltd.Inventor: Joong-Ho Kim
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Patent number: 8948991Abstract: Upon determining than an over-steered state exits, a feedback control coefficient for a rear wheel total drive force is set to 0 and a feedback control coefficient for a rear wheel drive force difference is also set to 0 to impose a two-wheel drive state. As a result, it is possible to avoid a turn cruising instability caused by cruising in four-wheel drive in an over-steered state. Upon determining that an under-steered state exists, the feedback control coefficients are set such that four-wheel drive is allowed but a drive force difference is not set between the left and right rear wheels. As a result, when the under-steered state exists, excellent traction can be enjoyed by operating in four-wheel drive and the phenomenon of riding up a canted road surface due to a drive force difference set between the left and right rear wheels can be avoided.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2011Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinichi Suzuki, Yuuki Ozawa
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Patent number: 8939248Abstract: Utility vehicle transmission controls include a common pivot shaft extending transversely across at least part of the operator station. The common pivot shaft has an integral collar. A shift lever has a sleeve pivotably mounted on the common pivot shaft with a portion of the sleeve extending over the integral collar. A differential lock lever has a lower end with a sleeve pivotably mounted on the common pivot shaft with a portion extending over the integral collar adjacent the shift pivot so that the shift lever and differential lock lever independently pivot.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2011Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Brian David Seegert, William Thomas Ladwig, Stephan R. Hayden
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Patent number: 8938345Abstract: A vehicle left-right wheel drive force distribution control apparatus is provided for improving the handling of a vehicle when a steering wheel of the vehicle is being returned toward a center position. The vehicle left-right wheel drive force distribution control apparatus executes a distributed output of a wheel drive force to left and right drive wheels in accordance with a control. The apparatus has a left-right drive force transient control amount computing section that computes a left-right drive force difference transient control amount based on a driver transient turn response. This control amount computed is used in the aforementioned control and is made smaller as the steering wheel is being turned away from a center position than as the steering wheel is being returned toward the center position.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2011Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shinichi Suzuki
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Patent number: 8918259Abstract: A splitting of drive torque between front and rear wheelsets includes an actuator to split the torque between the wheelsets, an electronic unit controlling switching of the actuator into a coupled or uncoupled mode, a mechanism electrically powering the electronic unit, and sensors. The electronic unit can make the system adopt: an active operation in which a control signal is generated and the temperature of the actuator is estimated; and a sleep mode in which the temperature of the actuator is not estimated; the switch to sleep mode being authorized: only when the engine is stopped, and if the actuator temperature is below or equal to a threshold or a maximum time period has elapsed.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2011Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.Inventors: Pascal Febrer, Francois Foussard, Stephane Guegan, Alessandro Monti
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Patent number: 8909448Abstract: A driving force distribution control device, which is mounted on a vehicle including an engine configured to generate driving force for the vehicle, a transmission device configured to shift rotation of an output shaft of the engine by transmission ratios, and a driving force transmission system capable of transmitting output of the transmission device to main drive wheels and auxiliary drive wheels, includes: a control device configured to, when a rotational speed of the output shaft of the engine is in a range in which abnormal sound of the driving force transmission system due to pulsation of the driving force can be generated, set a torque value to a value capable of reducing the abnormal sound depending on the driving force; and a driving force transmitting device configured to transmit driving force depending on the set value to the auxiliary drive wheels.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2012Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignees: JTEKT Corporation, Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Tomohiro Nozu, Ryohei Shigeta, Yasushi Yagi, Daisuke Kofu, Akihiro Tatara
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Patent number: 8887856Abstract: A drive assembly for a vehicle powertrain includes a planetary gearset including an input and an output, for producing a speed reduction of the output relative to the input, a sprocket secured to the input, a differential housing secured to the output, a casing, a first bearing for supporting the sprocket for rotation on the casing, and a second bearing for supporting the differential housing for rotation relative to the sprocket.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2013Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: David Allen Janson
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Patent number: 8888647Abstract: A two-speed power take-off unit adapted for installation in an all-wheel drive vehicle having a transversely mounted engine/transaxle powertrain. The two-speed power take-off unit includes a planetary gear reduction unit capable of establishing a high-range and a low-range drive connection between the powertrain and a transfer assembly. The transfer assembly provides drive torque to a front differential assembly driving the front wheels and a PTU gearset driving the rear wheels.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Magna Powertrain of America Inc.Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Douglas Bradley
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Publication number: 20140332301Abstract: A drive train (1) of an all-electrically drivable motor vehicle has a first axle (2) with a differential (6), and two electric machines (15, 16). The first axle (2) can be driven by the electric machines (15, 16) via a transmission (17). One (16) of the two electric machines (15, 16) can be decoupled from the transmission (17) via a switchable clutch (23). Different driving conditions of the motor vehicle operated by the drive train can be executed with a particularly good efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2012Publication date: November 13, 2014Inventors: Daniel Knoblauch, Martin Fuechtner
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Patent number: 8885304Abstract: A drive force distribution control apparatus in which if a relay output voltage (Vah) detected by relay-output-voltage detecting means (30) is lower than a first threshold, the relay is repeatedly and successively turned on and off multiple times, and then if the relay output voltage (Vah) detected later by the relay-output-voltage detecting means (30) while an engine speed (Er) is higher than a second threshold and an ignition switch (IG) is on is still lower than the first threshold, it is determined that there is an abnormality that keeps the relay stuck open, and then control for switching the drive mode from a four-wheel-drive mode to a two-wheel-drive mode is executed.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2011Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Jtekt CorporationInventor: Kiyoshige Kato
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Patent number: 8827025Abstract: A vehicle is described having plural modes of operation for the front and rear differential and whereupon start-up of the vehicle, the front and rear differentials are opened to their most open position.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2011Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventor: Roger J. Hapka
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Patent number: 8825314Abstract: A machine may include a powertrain drivingly connected to left and right front and rear wheels through a torque transfer unit to transfer torque to the front wheels as a function of a desired front torque and to the rear wheels as a function of a desired rear torque. At least one sensor of the machine may detect a value of an operating parameter indicative of a weight distribution of the machine across the wheels, and generate a parameter signal corresponding to the operating parameter. A control unit determines the weight distribution across the wheels as a function of the parameter signal, and the desired front and rear torques as a function of the weight distribution. The control unit also considers the weight and position of a load of material borne by an implement of the machine in determining the weight distribution.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2012Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Jeffery Edward Jensen
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Patent number: 8818653Abstract: A system and method of dithering speed and/or torque for shifting a transmission of a vehicle having an engine, a reversible, variable displacement hydraulic motor/pump which can be driven by the engine, a hydraulic accumulator supplied by said motor/pump, and at least one reversible hydraulic driving motor for propelling the vehicle supplied with fluid by the hydraulic accumulator and/or by said motor/pump operating as a pump. A transmission unit connects the engine with the variable displacement hydraulic motor/pump during a first mode of operation (city mode) and connects the engine to a vehicle drive wheel during a second mode of operation. The system utilizes stored hydraulic energy to dither the output of the driving motor in order to achieve quick and smooth shifts between city and highway mode, or between various ranges within the city mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Parker-Hannifin CorporationInventors: Yisheng Zhang, John Loeffler
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Patent number: 8818632Abstract: In a machine having a differential steering control system, uncommanded motion may be determined by comparing an actual speed of a steering motor to a commanded turn direction signal from an operator. Where uncommanded motion is occurring, the steering motor speed and time-rate-of-change of the steering motor speed may be used to determine a weighted steering motor speed that is accumulated over a series of sample cycles and compared to an integration limit to determine whether the operator should be warned of the occurrence of uncommanded motion. The integration limit may be based on a factor indicative of the responsiveness of the machine, such as the oil temperature.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Harold Dabbs, Brittany J. Lee
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Publication number: 20140216840Abstract: A driveline for a vehicle such that a first group of one or more wheels and not a second group may be driven by prime mover means when the driveline is in a first mode of operation and the second group of one or more wheels may additionally be driven by the prime mover means when the driveline is in a second mode of operation, the driveline comprising: an auxiliary driveshaft; a power transfer unit (PTU) operable by means of PTU actuator means releasably to drivably couple the auxiliary driveshaft to the prime mover means; and a releasable drive unit operable by means of drive unit actuator means releasably to drivably couple the auxiliary driveshaft to the second group of one or more wheels, the PTU actuator means and drive unit actuator means each being powered by means of a pressurised fluid medium, the fluid medium being pressurised by a common pressurisation means.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2012Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITEDInventors: Russell Osborn, Ian Beverley, Brett Hallam, Steve Mullane, Mark Rathbone, Shaun Wick
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Patent number: 8795125Abstract: Various drive axle systems are described each having a bevel gear system associated with the front axle system that is designed to minimize the angle of the inter-axle driveline with respect to the rear axle pinion gear.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventor: James F. Ziech
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Patent number: 8762019Abstract: A method of operating a transmission device comprising at least one input shaft and at least two output shafts. Torque that is present at the input shaft can be distributed between the two output shafts with a variable degree of distribution which can be changed according to the operating state depending on a transmission capability of at least one shift element. When a request to set a predefined degree of distribution is received, a mechanical self-locking torque of the transmission device—which influences the degree of distribution between the output shafts and is dependent upon the torque present at the input shaft—is determined, and a difference between the mechanical self-locking torque and a target overall locking torque of the transmission device that is equivalent to the required degree of distribution is determined. The transmission capability of the at least one shift element is set depending on this difference.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Gerhard Hermann Martin, Wilfrid Eberhard