And Means For Locking Out The Differential Means Patents (Class 180/249)
  • Patent number: 11867533
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide for a sensing system for a vehicle system. The sensor monitors including a control circuit having one or more processors. The control circuit is communicatively coupled to a switch based on a Power over Ethernet (PoE) interface. The control circuit receives power from the PoE network switch. The sensor monitors include an interface circuit bi-directionally communicating with one or more sensors to acquire sensor measurements. The control circuit transmits the sensor measurements to the switch using the PoE interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Donald B. Lee
  • Patent number: 11807322
    Abstract: A present steering position of a manually actuatable steering unit of the motor vehicle is determined based on sensor data. A steering command is generated based on the present steering position of the steering unit. Then, based on sensor-detected present vehicle dynamics data, it is determined whether the motor vehicle is in a straight-ahead running situation during driving operation. It is determined whether, during the straight-ahead running situation of the motor vehicle, the present steering position of the steering unit deviates from a straight-ahead running position of the steering unit for at least one of a specified time period and a specified traveling distance of the motor vehicle. A compensation steering command is generated based on the determined deviation of the present steering position of the steering unit from the straight-ahead running position. A corrected steering command is generated based on combining the compensation steering command with the steering command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jan Bremkens, Daniel F. Slavin, Simon Nolden, Tomas Mawyin, Alex Gidley
  • Patent number: 11801895
    Abstract: A control device includes a processor and a storage device storing a program for controlling an operation of the processor. The processor determines whether a vehicle is in a straight-ahead traveling state, based on a vehicle speed detected by a vehicle speed sensor, a steering wheel torque applied to a steering wheel, and a steering wheel angle as a rotation angle of an input shaft. The processor stores the steering wheel angle in the memory when determining that the vehicle is in the straight-ahead traveling state. The processor stores the steering wheel angle in the memory multiple times when determining that the vehicle is in the straight-ahead traveling state. The processor calculates a corrected steering angle amount from a weighted average of the steering wheel angles stored in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sohei Miyake, Jun Ogawa, Satoru Onishi, Masaya Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 11364799
    Abstract: Provided is a torque control device for a four-wheel-drive vehicle that can stably output a minimum torque required to start or drive the vehicle to the auxiliary wheel side under a road surface condition that main driving wheels are stuck in the idling state or under a road surface condition equivalent thereto. When front wheels Wf1, Wf2 are judged to be stuck in the idling state, a current rear torque TrCMD is raised step by step. And, when a brake operates in the state in which the four wheels are at stop after raising the command torque TrCMD step by step, the command rear torque TrCMD is released. And, the command rear torque TrCMD is raised step by step when the command rear torque TrCMD continues to be released for a second threshold time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaru Komatsubara, Masatoshi Noguchi
  • Patent number: 11333231
    Abstract: A drive control apparatus includes a circuitry configured to operate a differential lock device of a differential device in timings which are different between a two wheel drive state and a four wheel drive state. The differential device is disposed between one of a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels of the vehicle and configured to transmit a driving force from a drive source to the one of the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels. The differential lock device is configured to lock a differential rotation of a pair of output members of the differential device that are differentially rotatable with respect to each other, and configured to respectively output the drive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Takahiro Nagaoka, Ryuya Saitoh
  • Patent number: 11299041
    Abstract: A power-drive system for a vehicle and a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: BYD Company Limited
    Inventors: Yubo Lian, Heping Ling, Zhen Zhai, Fei Wu, Youbin Xu
  • Patent number: 11274710
    Abstract: A disc pack coupling for torque transmission between shafts has coupling discs. A locking unit is provided that maintains a contact pressure acting on the coupling discs when the disc pack coupling is closed. The locking unit has a locking part, a guide part, an actuating element, and a pressure element. The guide part is non-rotatably and non-displaceably arranged in relation to a first shaft. The locking part has a locking part axis and is rotatable about and displaceable axially relative to the locking part axis. Locking part and guide part are provided with interacting control surfaces positioned at a slant to a rotational direction of the locking part. The control surfaces are provided to move the locking part into a first and a second stop position. In the first stop position, the locking part maintains the contact pressure on the coupling discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignees: KACO GMBH + CO. KG, MIBA FRICTEC GMBH, MUHR UND BENDER KG
    Inventors: Andreas Genesius, Marcus Teller, Wilhelm Wunder, Martin Eisele, Johannes Kern, Sascha Ott, Tobias Stürmlinger, Falk Nickel, David Pühringer, Hüseyin Gürbüz, Sven Roth, Jörgen Schulz
  • Patent number: 11225140
    Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle includes right and left main drive wheels and right and left auxiliary drive wheels, and a drive force transmission system configured to constantly transmit a drive force of a drive source to the right and left main drive wheels and to transmit the drive force to the right and left auxiliary drive wheels depending on a vehicle state. The drive force transmission system includes a differential device, a propeller shaft, a drive force transmission device configured to adjust the drive force that is transmitted from the propeller shaft to the right and left auxiliary drive wheels, and an electronic control unit configured to control the drive force transmission device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomonori Ono, Go Nagayama
  • Patent number: 11221067
    Abstract: A control apparatus includes an input torque acquisition unit acquiring an input torque input to an automatic transmission input shaft, a clutch torque acquisition unit acquiring a clutch torque of a clutch operated to change a gear stage of the transmission, a torque determination unit determining a change of the input torque and the clutch torque from a first state in which one of the input torque and the clutch torque is greater than the other to a second state in which the other one is greater than the one, a gear ratio calculation unit calculating an intermediate gear ratio between pre-shift and post-shift gear ratios, and a torque calculation unit, when the torque determination unit determines a change of the input torque and the clutch torque from the first state to the second state, executing a process of calculating a target engine torque based on the intermediate gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masato Shimoda, Naoto Moriya, Masakazu Owatari
  • Patent number: 11180122
    Abstract: The safety device comprises a vehicle body inclination angle detector to detect an inclination angle of the vehicle body. In a vehicle body attitude in which the inclination angle of the vehicle body detected by the vehicle body inclination angle detector is less than a predetermined inclination angle, while any travel operation by the travel operation device is not performed, when a steering operation by the steering operation device is performed, the travel controller performs control to release braking the front wheels and the rear wheels by the brake device and to make the steering device turn the front wheels and the rear wheels in accordance with the steering operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA AICHI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuru Sato
  • Patent number: 11155162
    Abstract: Disclosed is a travel control apparatus applied to a vehicle which includes two coupling apparatuses individually changing coupling torques between a drive output part for secondary drive wheels and left and right secondary drive wheel axles and in which the ratio of rotational speed of the drive output part to the average of rotational speeds of primary drive wheels is greater than 1. The apparatus generates a yaw moment in a turning direction by using driving force. When a demand of further increasing the yaw moment arises, the control apparatus renders the braking force of the primary drive wheel on the turning locus inner side coincident with a target braking force changing with the travel state of the vehicle and decreases the coupling torque of the coupling apparatus corresponding to the secondary drive wheel on the turning locus outer side. As a result, generation of an anti-spin moment is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Noritsugu Iwazaki, Yusuke Suetake
  • Patent number: 11125281
    Abstract: In an all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicle, torque carrying connections are provided between the powertrain and all four wheels. A multimode clutch module or clutches are provided to selectively disconnect two of the wheels from the powertrain during operating conditions where disconnection improves the performance and efficiency of the AWD vehicle. The multimode clutch module may be installed at various locations of the AWD vehicle, such as within a front or rear differential, between a half axle and a differential or between a half axle and a corresponding wheel, or within a transfer case or power transfer unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Brett M. Peglowski, Keith Martin, Calahan Campton, Christopher E. Blair, Brett J. Lee
  • Patent number: 11110902
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle, in which an active manipulation of the yaw angle of the motor vehicle is performed, in that, on a left wheel and on a right wheel of at least one axle of the motor vehicle, an uneven torque distribution is set. In order to give the driver better control of the torque distribution to the wheels of the motor vehicle, an actuation of an operator control unit of the motor vehicle is detected; the uneven torque distribution is set in a manner dependent on the detected actuation; the uneven torque distribution is maintained only as long as the actuation of the operator control unit is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Jaan Mattes Reiling
  • Patent number: 11105400
    Abstract: A gearbox unit for a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle has a first wheel axle and a second wheel axle, with the second wheel axle being composed of at least one first sub-axle and one second sub-axle. Provided here are a first connecting shaft, which is operatively connectible to the first sub-axle, a second connecting shaft, which is operatively connectible to the second sub-axle, as well as a coupling gearbox with a drive input shaft, which is operatively connectible to a drive assembly of the motor vehicle, and with a drive output shaft, which is operatively connectible to the first wheel axle, wherein, by way of the coupling gearbox, the drive input shaft is operatively connected to the first connecting shaft and the second connecting shaft in a torque-splitting manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Christian Meixner, Carsten Trautmann, Christian Wirth, Jürgen Tschullik
  • Patent number: 10962097
    Abstract: A limited slip differential (LSD) transfers a torque from an engine to left and right wheels of a vehicle. A current angle of a steering device is determined. Rotational speeds of 5 the left and right driven wheels are also determined. A current wheel slip of is calculated as a difference between the rotational speeds of the left and right wheels. Maximum and minimum allowed wheel slips are calculated as a function of the current steering angle. The LSD is controlled so that the current wheel slip stays in a range between the maximum and minimum allowed wheel slips. To this end, the LSD is loaded if the wheel slip falls outside of the range 0 between the maximum and minimum allowed wheel slips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Francois-Charles Dumas, Jean-Philippe Houle
  • Patent number: 10933730
    Abstract: A power split powertrain for a hybrid-electric vehicle powertrain has first and second electric machines disposed on opposite sides of a central support wall having a peripheral edge anchored to a transmission housing and a center region rotatably supporting rotors of the two electric machines on opposite sides of the support wall. A power split gearset is disposed adjacent to the first electric machine such that the first electric machine is between the first support wall and the power split gearset. A brake clutch associated with the second electric machine is mounted to the support wall and the support has a hydraulic feed channel supplying the brake clutch. Resolvers associated with the electric machines are mounted to the support wall and electrical connections with the resolvers are integrated with the support wall. A multi-step transmission assembly receiving torque from the power split gearset is also enclosed by the transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Anatole Frait, James E. Kearns, Keith A. Devereaux
  • Patent number: 10890217
    Abstract: A hydraulic clutch device comprises an oil pump (7), a pressure regulating valve (8) for pressure-regulating oil discharged from the oil pump, and a hydraulic clutch (5) arranged in a power transmission route through which motive power is transmitted along a rotation shaft (4) from the power transmission part (2, 3), and engaged by the oil pressure-regulated by the pressure regulating valve. The pressure regulating valve is located on a downstream side in an oil flowing direction of the hydraulic clutch and arranged in the vicinity of an opposite side to the power transmission part in the axial direction of the rotation shaft with respect to the hydraulic clutch. With this configuration, it is possible to dispense with a pressure regulating valve arranged between a power transmission part and a hydraulic clutch and a valve body integrally provided with the pressure regulating valve in a conventional hydraulic clutch device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobutaka Yamaguchi, Kenji Niwata
  • Patent number: 10850612
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a differential gear that transmits rotation of a propeller shaft to an axle. A differential lock switches the differential gear between a locked state and an unlocked state. A clutch is provided in a power transmission path between a prime mover and wheels of the vehicle. A controller controls an engaging force of the clutch during a moving start of the vehicle in accordance with which of the locked state and the unlocked state is selected by the differential gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenji Fukushima
  • Patent number: 10837499
    Abstract: The disclosed clutch device includes a clutch housing, a clutch center, a pressure plate, a clutch part, a support plate and a cam mechanism. The clutch center includes a plurality of first protruding portions protruding to a first side in an axial direction. The clutch part allows and blocks transmission of a power from the clutch housing to an output side. The support plate is disposed in opposition to the clutch center in the axial direction, and includes a plurality of second protruding portions that protrude to a second side in the axial direction and are fixed to the plurality of first protruding portions. The cam mechanism is provided on an axially second-side lateral surface of the support plate, and controls a pressing force applied to the clutch part in transmission of the power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshio Imanishi, Hidenori Kitazawa
  • Patent number: 10704615
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a transmission, and a controller. The transmission has clutches, a circuit configured to transport fluid to the clutches, a pump configured to circulate the fluid through the circuit, and an accumulator disposed along the circuit. The controller is programmed to, responsive to an engine start and a fluid temperature being less than a temperature threshold, discharge the accumulator to prime the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Joseph Gittins, Timothy Fedullo, Samuel Melville Glauber, Andrew James Myrna, Benjamin Rupley, Ryan Eggebrecht
  • Patent number: 10604009
    Abstract: A dual-shaft gearbox mechanism includes a hollow shaft motor, first and second gear sets, first and second shafts, a clutch and a unidirectional assembly. When the dual-shaft gearbox mechanism is in a first gear, power is outputted via the first gear set and the unidirectional assembly. When the dual-shaft gearbox mechanism is in a second gear, power is outputted via the clutch and the second gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Cheng-Ping Yang, Ming-Hsien Yang, Chia Tsao, Li-Te Huang, Peng-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 10583735
    Abstract: A transfer case for a vehicle is provided having a normal two wheel drive mode and a selective four wheel drive mode. The transfer case has a common motor for range shifting and clutch actuation and further has an anti-neutral drive biasing device preventing the range shifting assembly from dropping out of high or low gear to a neutral mode inadvertently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Palazzolo, Jesse Jongebloed
  • Patent number: 10556592
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a slippage determination unit, a control unit, a different-diameter determination unit and a threshold adjuster. The slippage determination unit determines that a drive wheel is slipping when an index value that is correlated with a rotation speed of the drive wheel exceeds a threshold. The control unit controls a driving force of the drive wheel such that the index value matches a target value when it is determined that the drive wheel is slipping. The different-diameter determination unit determines whether a different-diameter tire that has a different diameter from a reference diameter is mounted on the drive wheel. The threshold adjuster adjusts a threshold on the basis of a ratio between a diameter of the tire mounted on the drive wheel and the reference diameter when it is determined that the different-diameter tire is mounted on the drive wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ienaga, Shinichi Sakaguchi, Takahiro Kobayashi, Takeshi Yoneda
  • Patent number: 10513178
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling the stability and yaw response of a vehicle being equipped with a front axle (24), a rear axle (26), a controllable differential (22) and a control unit (50) arranged for locking and unlocking the differential (22), the method includes: selectively locking or unlocking the differential (22) depending on the operation of the vehicle; measuring at least the longitudinal vehicle speed (v); comparing the measured vehicle speed (v) with a predetermined first reference speed (vH); and locking the differential (22) if the measured vehicle speed (v) exceeds the first reference speed (vH).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: DSENSED TECHNOLOGY AB
    Inventors: Jonas Alfredson, Mathias Lidberg
  • Patent number: 10464415
    Abstract: A two-speed transfer case for a four-wheel drive vehicle is provided. The transfer case has a two-speed gear reduction unit, a range clutch, and a range shift mechanism. The range shift mechanism is operably disposed between an input shaft and a rear output shaft and includes a range cam defining a guide slot having a unique profile for converting rotation thereof into linear movement of the range clutch. The guide slot includes low-range dwell segment and a high-range dwell segment interconnected by a range shift segment. The range shift segment defines a plurality of interconnected cam portions, wherein each cam portion is associated with a different load required to move the range clutch between a high-range and low-range position. The transfer case further includes a mode shift mechanism for establishing a high-range drive connection and a low-range drive connection associated with the dwells of the range cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Anupam Sharma, Pete Jarzyna, Dan Harmon, Daniel M. Drill
  • Patent number: 10408323
    Abstract: A drive unit with twin side shaft torque coupling has an intermediate shaft with a first end portion and a second end portion and a central portion with a ring gear. A first clutch drum is directly mounted on the first end portion of the intermediate shaft. The first clutch drum has a first plurality of clutch plates. A first clutch can is located radially inboard of the first clutch drum. The first clutch can supports selective axial movement of a second plurality of clutch plates. The first and second plates are interleaved with one another to form a clutch pack. The first clutch can is connected to one end portion of a first output shaft located radially inboard from said first clutch can. A first clutch actuator assembly selectively actuates the first clutch. The drive unit also comprises a second clutch drum, clutch can and clutch actuator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Cooper
  • Patent number: 10399456
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electric machine of a vehicle drivetrain may include determining a rotational speed of the electric machine, determining a rotational speed of a drivetrain component other than the electric machine, and modifying a torque command to the electric machine based on a difference between the rotational speeds to dampen drivetrain vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel R. Luedtke
  • Patent number: 10330183
    Abstract: A two-speed active transfer case includes an input shaft adapted to receive drive torque from a powertrain, a rear output shaft adapted for connection to a rear driveline and aligned with the input shaft for rotation about a first rotary axis, a front output shaft adapted for connection to a front driveline and aligned for rotation about a second rotary axis, and a transfer mechanism driven by the rear output shaft. The transfer case also includes a two-speed range mechanism operably disposed between the input shaft and the rear output shaft, a range shift mechanism for controlling operation of the two-speed range mechanism, a mode mechanism operably disposed between the transfer mechanism and the front output shaft, and a mode shift mechanism for controlling operation of the mode mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph P. McNally, Daniel M. Drill
  • Patent number: 10316973
    Abstract: A seal ring for vehicles includes a first ring accommodated in an annular groove formed in a peripheral surface of one of a rotating shaft and housing and including a first peripheral surface sealingly contacting with a bottom surface of a annular groove and a second ring including a second peripheral surface sealingly contacting with a peripheral surface of the other of the rotating shaft and the housing. The first and second rings respectively include a first and second facing surfaces at opposite sides of the first and second peripheral surfaces in a radial direction, one of the first and second facing surfaces includes a convex portion, and the other of the first and second facing surfaces includes a concave portion engaging the convex portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Izumi
  • Patent number: 10315555
    Abstract: Vehicle which has a loading area, on which a load can be placed and by means of at least one load detector the presence of said load on said loading area can be detected, and by means of a central control unit the signals of all said load detectors can be detected and the measured value of the mass of said load can be detected, whereby said load can be secured by means of at least one movable, mechanical and flexible load securing device, which can be brought into contact with said load, and by means of at least one safety sensor the value of the force can be detected with which said load securing device acts on said load and for this force said central control unit calculates a reference value, depending on the mass of said load and according to a formula for the relevant applicable regulations and thereupon checks, if the actual value is sufficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: TERRA CONTROL GEOLOGISCHE BERATUNG UND UMWELTTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: Dirk Bruhn
  • Patent number: 10272918
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relates to a vehicle control system (1) for controlling a vehicle transfer case (3). The transfer case (3) is operable in a high range and a low range. The vehicle control system (1) is configured to output a range change signal to implement a transfer case range change. The vehicle control system (1) also outputs a brake control signal for controlling vehicle braking during the range change. The present invention also relates to a vehicle (5) and a related method of operating a vehicle control system (1) and optionally also a transmission (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Simon Sutton, Malkit Ram, Sam Burt, Steve Mullane
  • Patent number: 10247259
    Abstract: A device for actuating a clutch-controlled transfer case including a rotatable selector shaft, a clutch cam disk rotatable about a clutch cam disk axis by means of the selector shaft and having a gate, and at least one scissor lever having an end guided in the gate. The gate has at least one curved portion having a continuously increasing radial distance from the clutch cam disk axis. The clutch cam disk defines an opening about the clutch cam disc axis, and the clutch cam disk defines a pair of stops extending radially into the opening. The selector shaft is rotatably positioned in the opening. The selector shaft includes a stopping member in radial alignment with the pair of stops such that the selector shaft can be rotated with respect to the clutch cam disk between two stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN GMBH & CO KG
    Inventors: Helmut Schlatzer, Martin Stocker, Ferdinand Tangl
  • Patent number: 10220834
    Abstract: A control system for a hybrid vehicle configured to promptly disengage a clutch for halting an engine is provided. A clutch device comprises a reciprocating member having tapered reciprocating teeth, and a rotary member having tapered teeth opposed to the tapered rotary teeth. A controller is configured to turn off an actuator to eliminate the electromagnetic attraction thereby allowing the engine to be started, and to apply a torque of the first motor to the clutch device after the actuator is turned off thereby disengaging the reciprocating teeth from the rotary teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroto Hashimoto, Hiroaki Kimura, Tomohito Ono, Takuya Iguchi
  • Patent number: 10207581
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a multi-mode power distribution assembly that selectively distributes power from a drive shaft between a first axle and a second axle. The power distribution assembly includes a plurality of clutches, each moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The power distribution assembly includes a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode. In some embodiments, the first mode may be a four-wheel drive mode, the second mode may be an all-wheel drive mode, and the third mode may be an overdrive mode. Also, a park mode may be provided, wherein the clutches are in the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Lubben, Mark W. Freudenberg, Viresh Hitanalli
  • Patent number: 10150368
    Abstract: A transaxle is designed to accommodate a power take-off unit (PTU). The transaxle utilizes a chain to transmit power from the engine axis to the differential axis and utilizes planetary final drive gearing on the differential axis. The transaxle includes layshaft gearing to transfer power from the driven sprocket to a PTU axis, bypassing the planetary final drive gearing. The PTU may be fixedly driveably connected to the driven sprocket or selectively driveably connected via a dog clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Allen Janson, Matthew David Hammond, Gregory Daniel Goleski
  • Patent number: 10137774
    Abstract: Control device for a 4WD vehicle is provided. The 4WD vehicle includes a driving force source, main driving wheels, auxiliary driving wheels, a driving force transmission shaft, a first disconnection mechanism, and a second disconnection mechanism. The first disconnection mechanism and the second disconnection mechanism are engaged during 4WD traveling. One of the first disconnection mechanism and the second disconnection mechanism is a clutch. The control device includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to execute engagement control for controlling the engagement force of the clutch so that the driving force transmission shaft is maintained in a state prior to the initiation of a continuous increase in the rotation speed of the driving force transmission shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Takaira, Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Hiroyuki Ishii
  • Patent number: 10137873
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle includes a frame including a front frame part and a separate rear frame part connected to the front frame part via frame joints. A surface is supported by one of the front frame part and the rear frame part. An engine is supported by the rear frame part and is positioned behind the seating surface. Front wheels operably coupled to the front frame part are drivingly coupled to the engine via a front drive unit. Rear wheels operably coupled to the rear frame part are drivingly coupled to the engine via a rear drive unit. A brake system is mounted to the frame and includes front wheel brakes and rear wheel brakes. The brake system further includes a brake modulator and a master brake cylinder operably connected to the brake modulator. The brake modulator is mounted to the front frame part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lee N. Bowers, Dustin M. Schroeder, Scott D. Batdorf, Jason A. Sovern
  • Patent number: 10029563
    Abstract: A one-way or selectable clutch with multiple circumferential rows of ratchet elements is disclosed. The clutch may include two or more rows of ratchet elements extending between two or more races. The device may be either a one-way clutch or a selectable mechanical clutch, and afford the benefits of reduced backlash and multiple modes of operation. Those modes may include free-wheel/overrun in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, locked/transmit torque in both directions, locked in clockwise and overrun in counterclockwise directions, and locked in counterclockwise and overrun in clockwise directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Papania
  • Patent number: 9975555
    Abstract: A method for preventing damage to a driving system in vehicles may include determining whether a 4-wheel drive vehicle turns based on a steering angle signal, determining, based on an accelerator opening rate signal of the vehicle, whether a maximum torque causing damage to front wheel driveshafts is produced, checking a bump stroke amount of the vehicle and determining whether the front wheel driveshafts are likely to be damaged by a maximum torque transferred to the front wheel driveshafts when the vehicle turns, and lowering, when the front wheel driveshafts are likely to be damaged, a maximum torque of a 4-wheel drive torque applied to the front wheel driveshafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Young Deok Won
  • Patent number: 9925868
    Abstract: A transfer case (16) for translating torque from an engine (12) to first and second differentials (20, 22), including: a housing (42), a primary shaft (44) supported in the housing (42) with an input end (52) in communication with the engine (12) and an output end (54) in communication with the first differential (20), a secondary shaft (46) spaced from the primary shaft (44) and in communication with the second differential (22), a clutch assembly (48) in communication with the shafts (44, 46) for selectively translating torque therebetween, and a sleeve (50) operatively attached to the primary shaft (44) between ends (52, 54). The sleeve (50) has an outer surface (68) with a plurality of radially spaced flutes (70) defined therein for directing lubricant from a predetermined location (72) of the housing (42) toward the clutch assembly (48) during rotation of the primary shaft (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Palazzolo, Jesse Jongebloed
  • Patent number: 9902263
    Abstract: A clutched device can include a differential and first and second conduits. The differential can transmit differential power to first and second outputs. Clutch plates can rotate through a clutch cavity and transmit power between the second output and a third output. An outer carrier and an inner carrier can be coupled for rotation with the second and third outputs, respectively. The first conduit can be open to a first peripheral region of the clutch cavity and fluidly couples the first region to a cavity separate from the clutch cavity. The second conduit can be open to a second peripheral region that is circumferentially spaced apart from the first region. The second conduit can fluidly couple the second region to a central region of the clutch cavity. Rotation of the outer carrier in opposite rotational directions slings lubricant to the first and second conduits, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher D. Pump
  • Patent number: 9694678
    Abstract: A disconnect mechanism for a secondary driveline and method of assembly can be used in an all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicle having a rear driveline module (RDM) for changing drive modes between a two-wheel drive mode and an AWD mode. The disconnect mechanism can include a hydraulically actuated coupling clutch connected to a power take-off unit (PTU) for transferring rotary power from the PTU to the RDM during the AWD mode, a hydraulically actuated first and second rear clutch for rotationally connecting and disconnecting corresponding first and second rear axles drivingly coupled to rear wheels during the AWD mode and two-wheel drive mode, respectively, and a hydraulic actuating assembly including a source of pressurized fluid for actuating the coupling clutch, the first rear clutch, and the second rear clutch, and for synchronizing any speed differential therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thad Kopp
  • Patent number: 9669832
    Abstract: A vehicle and methods of proximity-based engine control for a vehicle as automatically implemented by a computing device are disclosed. One method includes determining a distance between the vehicle and a preceding obstacle. If the distance between the vehicle and the preceding obstacle is below a threshold distance, the method further includes determining whether a vehicle brake is being applied. If the vehicle brake is not being applied, the method further includes detecting a throttle position for an engine throttle. If the throttle position is above a threshold throttle position, the method further includes sending a command to modify the throttle position to a restricted throttle position. If the throttle position is above the threshold throttle position, the method can optionally include sending a command to modify ignition timing for a vehicle engine or sending a command to apply the vehicle brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher T. Gauthier
  • Patent number: 9664240
    Abstract: In a motor vehicle drive train arrangement with at least one main drive train for driving a main drive axle, and at least one auxiliary drive train which is driven via the main drive train and connected to a secondary drive axle which can be driven via the auxiliary drive train, the secondary drive axle is linked to the auxiliary drive train without an axle differential and the secondary drive axle includes controllable couplers for selectively coupling the secondary drive axle wheels to the auxiliary drive train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: DAIMLER AG
    Inventor: Christian Krajewski
  • Patent number: 9599215
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuation system (10) and method of assembly for disconnecting a secondary driveline (27) can be used in an all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicle (14) having a power take-off unit (PTU) (42) for transferring rotary power to the secondary driveline (27).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thad Kopp, Keith Feldt, Mark Buchanan, Peizhang Tu
  • Patent number: 9541183
    Abstract: An output transfer group is disclosed for use with a mobile machine. The output transfer group may have a housing, an input yoke extending from the housing and configured to receive an input torque, a first output yoke extending from the housing and configured to provide a first output torque, and a second output yoke extending from the housing and configured to provide a second output torque. The output transfer group may also have a gear train disposed within the housing and connecting the input yoke to the first and second output yokes. The gear train may create a torque reduction between the input yoke and the first and second output yokes, and includes a lockable differential located downstream of the torque reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpiller Inc.
    Inventors: David Michael Thaler, Scott Patrick Meyer
  • Patent number: 9511667
    Abstract: An output transfer group is disclosed for use with a mobile machine. The output transfer group may have a housing, and an input yoke extending from the housing and configured to receive an input torque. The output transfer group may also have a first output yoke extending from the housing and configured to provide a first output torque, a second output yoke extending from the housing and configured to provide a second output torque, and a plurality of gears disposed within the housing and connecting the input yoke to the first and second output yokes. The output transfer group may further have a disk stack operatively connected to two of the plurality of gears, and an actuator configured to selectively compress the disk stack to vary a split of the input torque between the first and second output yokes. The actuator may be maintained in contact with the disk stack during operation of the output transfer group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David Michael Thaler
  • Patent number: 9440526
    Abstract: A drive system includes: a power split mechanism including a planetary gear unit, in which a ring gear is connected to an internal combustion engine, a sun gear is connected to a motor, and a carrier is connected to a counter shaft in a manner capable of transmitting power; a lock mechanism that can lock the sun gear; and a clutch mechanism that can engage the sun gear and the ring gear. The internal combustion engine, the power split mechanism, the motor, the lock mechanism, and the clutch mechanism are arranged on the same axis. The lock mechanism and the clutch mechanism are arranged on an opposite side of the internal combustion engine with the power split mechanism and the motor being interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shigeru Okuwaki, Hiroyuki Shioiri, Hiroyuki Shibata, Kouhei Miyake
  • Patent number: 9434244
    Abstract: The present invention relates to all terrain vehicles having at least a pair of laterally spaced apart seating surfaces. More particularly, the present invention relates to trail compliant side-by-side all terrain vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Sunsdahl, Aaron D. Deckard, Marcus J. Tullemans, Richard E. Eck, Jason C. Plugge, Alan A. Meyer, Laurie J. Rengel, Geoffrey G. White, Thomas S. P. McCoubrey, Brian M. Safranski
  • Patent number: 9435402
    Abstract: A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include an input shaft receiving torque, an output shaft disposed in parallel with and apart from the input shaft, a planetary gear set including a first sun gear, a second sun gear, a common planet, and a common ring gear engaged, a first rotation shaft directly connected to the first sun gear and selectively connected to the input shaft, a second rotation shaft directly connected to the common planet carrier and directly connected to the output shaft, a third rotation shaft directly connected to the common ring gear and selectively connected to the input shaft or to a transmission housing, and a fourth rotation shaft directly connected to the second sun gear and selectively connected to the input shaft through first and second paths or to the transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Seong Wook Hwang, Seongwook Ji, Myeong Hoon Noh, Kangsoo Seo, Jae Chang Kook, Won-Jun Sung, Wonmin Cho