With Means Enabling Repositioning Of Motor And Gearing Or Clutch Patents (Class 180/294)
  • Patent number: 11345403
    Abstract: An engine mounting system for a work vehicle includes an engine mount configured to support an engine on a frame of the work vehicle. The engine mount has an engine mounting portion and a frame connection portion, an extent of the frame connection portion along a lateral axis of the engine mount is greater than an extent of the engine mounting portion along the lateral axis, the engine mounting portion has an opening configured to receive a fastener configured to couple the engine to the engine mount, the frame connection portion has a substantially flat contact surface configured to engage a corresponding substantially flat contact surface of a frame member of the frame, and the engine mounting portion does not contact the frame member while the substantially flat contact surface of the frame connection portion is engaged with the corresponding substantially flat contact surface of the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Ralph Hertsgaard, John Thomas Rasset
  • Patent number: 10669918
    Abstract: A heat insulating structure of an internal combustion engine (engine 1) includes a cylinder-head-side heat insulating cover (30) and a cylinder-block-side heat insulating cover (40). Each of the first side walls (32) of the cylinder-head-side heat insulating cover (30) is disposed outwardly of, and is spaced apart from, a corresponding one of the second side walls (43) of the cylinder-block-side heat insulating cover (40) in the width direction of the vehicle. The lower edge of each of the first side walls (32) is positioned below the upper edge of the corresponding one of the second side walls (43) to overlap with the corresponding one of the second side walls (43) when viewed from the side of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsukasa Hoshino, Kenji Sugasaki, Kazumi Okamura, Makoto Shinhama, Masanobu Koutoku, Ryo Yamamoto, Yukiya Tanaka, Toshimichi Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 10414366
    Abstract: A front vehicle body reinforcing structure may include a sub-frame mounting member combined to a lower side of a front end portion of the front side member and to an inside of a front end portion in a width direction of the fender apron member, wherein an inside surface in a width direction of a vehicle body of the front end portion of the fender apron member is connected to an outside surface in a width direction of the vehicle body of the front side member and to an outside surface in a width direction of the vehicle body of the sub-frame mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Hyunsik Kim
  • Patent number: 10131386
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a suspension system of a motor vehicle comprising a vehicle body and a plurality of wheel pairs (2a/2b, 2c/2d), wherein the suspension system comprises spring members arranged for resilient connection between the wheels of the vehicle and said vehicle body. The method comprises the step of: monitoring at least one first parameter indicating braking of thee motor vehicle, and when said parameter indicates braking of the motor vehicle, preventing compression of the spring members of at least one wheel pair (2a/2b, 2c/2d) of the motor vehicle for counteracting a rotation of the vehicle body in connection to braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: BAE Systems Hägglunds Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Anders Bodin
  • Patent number: 9969271
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle including an internal combustion engine, a motor, and a storage battery and configured to charge the storage battery with electric power generated as a result of regenerative braking and electric power generated by using output of the engine. When a planned travel route of the vehicle includes a downhill section, the control apparatus executes a downhill control which decreases the remaining capacity of the storage battery before the vehicle enters the downhill section. In addition, when the downhill section includes a congestion section and the total distance of the congestion section is greater than a predetermined threshold, the control apparatus does not execute the downhill control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuki Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9604532
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a mobile work machine, in particular in the form of a dump truck or truck, comprising a diesel electric traction drive and a cooling system, wherein a common cooling circuit of the liquid cooling medium is provided for the parallel cooling of one or more components of the power electronics and for the cooling of one or more drive components in the region of the driven vehicle axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Liebherr-Mining Equipment Colmar SAS
    Inventors: Sebastien Nicolas Hoffmann, Kai Kugelstadt, Burkhard Richthammer
  • Patent number: 9550416
    Abstract: A heavy-duty truck chassis has a frame assembly having a first rail spaced from a second rail to define a gap therebetween. A front axle is supported by the frame assembly and is positioned proximate a front portion of the frame assembly. A rear axle is supported by the frame assembly and is positioned proximate a rear portion of the frame assembly. A fuel tank is supported by the frame assembly and positioned in the gap and behind the rear axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Shem, LLC
    Inventors: Herman Edward Steyn, Shane Leppan, Francois Pierre Hough, Johann Christiaan Vorster
  • Patent number: 9393910
    Abstract: A van includes an interface element and one or more doors. The interface element can be a frame or connector that is configured to fit a sliding door opening of the van. The one or more doors are configured to fit the interface connector of the van. The one or more doors are configured to be operable by a driver of the van.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Inventor: David Ronsen
  • Patent number: 9352742
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive wheel traction chain for a hybrid vehicle comprising a heat engine and a hydraulic traction machine powered by hydraulic accumulators forming two power units that can be used to drive the drive wheels of the vehicle. The invention further comprises a recharge module including electricity storage batteries connected to an electric machine which drives a hydraulic recharge machine that powers the hydraulic accumulators, and a means for controlling the recharge module connected to the means for controlling the power units of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Technoboost
    Inventor: Pierre Gauthier
  • Patent number: 9174681
    Abstract: In a vehicle body front section structure according to the present invention, as well as a pair of left and right front side support portions and a pair of left and right rear side support portions that support a suspension member from the vehicle body, the suspension member is also coupled to a dash panel by coupling members. The coupling members are provided in the vehicle front-rear direction between the pair of left and right front side support portions and the pair of left and right rear side support portions, and provided in the vehicle width direction between the front side support portion and rear side support portion on the vehicle left side and the front side support portion and rear side support portion on the vehicle right side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takayoshi Shigihara
  • Patent number: 9139230
    Abstract: In a vehicle body front section structure according to the present invention, as well as a pair of left and right front side support portions and a pair of left and right rear side support portions that support a suspension member from the vehicle body, the suspension member is also coupled to a dash panel by coupling members. The coupling members are provided in the vehicle front-rear direction between the pair of left and right front side support portions and the pair of left and right rear side support portions, and provided in the vehicle width direction between the front side support portion and rear side support portion on the vehicle left side and the front side support portion and rear side support portion on the vehicle right side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takayoshi Shigihara
  • Patent number: 9139136
    Abstract: A van includes an interface element and one or more doors. The interface element can be a frame or connector that is configured to fit a sliding door opening of the van. The one or more doors are configured to fit the interface connector of the van. The one or more doors are configured to be operable by a driver of the van.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Inventor: David Ronsen
  • Patent number: 8996214
    Abstract: A hybrid working vehicle comprises an engine, a drive wheel, a power take-off (PTO) shaft, and a power transmission system for transmitting power from the engine to the drive wheel and the PTO shaft. The power transmission system is bifurcated at a bifurcating point into a traveling drive train for driving the drive wheel and a PTO drive train for driving the PTO shaft. A continuously variable transmission is provided on the traveling drive train, and a motor generator is provided on the power transmission system between the engine and the bifurcating point. The motor generator functions as a generator by power of the engine and functions as an electric motor for driving the power transmission system. The hybrid working vehicle includes a controller for controlling an output rotary speed of the motor generator functioning as the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Norihiro Ishii
  • Patent number: 8996223
    Abstract: The invention relates to an engine operation start control device of a hybrid vehicle comprising a power output device having an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. In this hybrid vehicle, an intermittent control for intermittently operating the engine can be performed and when the operation of the engine is started during the intermittent control being performed, a cranking of the engine is performed until the engine speed reaches a target engine speed. According to the invention, in case that the operation of the engine is started when the speed of the hybrid vehicle is higher than or equal to a predetermined speed and a power required for the power output device is larger than or equal to a predetermined power, the engine speed, which increases as the speed of the hybrid vehicle increases, is set as the target engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Kamatani, Kenta Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8925659
    Abstract: An electric utility vehicle with a frame, at least one drive motor mounted to the frame through a suspension assembly, a wheel mounted to the motor, and a steering assembly for steering the vehicle, wherein the steering assembly may be interchangeably reconfigured into a side driver configuration and a center driver configuration. The drive motor may be mounted at any one of four wheel positions. The suspension assembly may be interchangeably reconfigured as an independent A-arm suspension assembly and a trailing arm suspension assembly. The vehicle may include a controller coupled to the motor for independently supplying electrical power to each of two drive motors, such that during a turn an outside motor is supplied with more power than an inside motor. The controller may supply electrical power the drive motor according to a selected acceleration profile of at least two acceleration profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: William F. Peters
  • Patent number: 8905181
    Abstract: A motorcycle internal combustion engine including engine hangers capable of reducing the size of the internal combustion engine in an up-down direction. A motorcycle internal combustion engine includes a crankcase of the internal combustion engine with an oil filter attached to a front face thereof. Engine hangers are formed integrally with the crankcase on the front face thereof with each having a hanger boss configured to be fastened to a vehicle body frame of a motorcycle from a vehicle left-right direction. The engine hangers are formed to be distributed on left and right sides on the front face of the crankcase. The oil filter is arranged between the left and right engine hangers with the engine hangers and the oil filter overlapping each other in a vehicle side view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Yokota
  • Patent number: 8813896
    Abstract: A vehicle including a vehicle body is disclosed. A transmission casing includes a plurality of walls extending outwardly to a distal edge. One of the walls defines a first side and another one of the walls defines a second side. A power inverter module is coupled to the transmission casing to define a unit disposed in a first position when the unit is stationary relative to a first end of the vehicle body and a second position when the unit moves toward a second end of the vehicle body. The power inverter module slopes downwardly from the first side toward the second side to define a module angle relative to a longitudinal axis such that the power inverter module defines an angular position. The angular position of the power inverter module minimizes engagement of the power inverter module with a component when the unit is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Ralph Littlefield, Anthony P. Tata, Michael O. Harpster, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8727068
    Abstract: Sound-damping housing for a pump and for a drive motor for said pump, comprising a block-like casing assembled from sound-damping panels and provided with a support construction and a first door opening for successively placing into and removing from the casing the pump and its drive motor on the support construction, and with at least one guide extending over the support construction transversely of the door opening for the purpose of guiding a pump and its drive motor to be placed in the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: B.B.A. Participaties B.V.
    Inventor: Johannes Bruin
  • Patent number: 8714295
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has an internal combustion engine mounted in a central tunnel of the vehicle floor pan. The internal combustion engine comprises an engine block assembly having a lower end closed by an oil pan and an upper end extending at an angle ? from a rear of the engine block assembly to a front thereof. An engine block closes the upper end and defines a crankcase that is configured to house a crankshaft for rotation therein. A cylinder housing assembly is reclined from vertical, towards the rear of the engine block, about an axis of the crankshaft by an angle ?. At least a portion of the cylinder housing assembly and the crankcase are disposed in the central tunnel of the vehicle floor pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan W. Hayman, James J. Mazzola, III, William A. Bear
  • Patent number: 8327969
    Abstract: A mounting method for a skid steer loader is disclosed including coupling a first end portion of a component directly to a first wall of a skid steer loader frame. The method also includes coupling a second end portion of the component to an opposite wall of the skid steer loader frame by a mounting system that allows for dimensional differences between the component and the skid steer loader frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Paul A. Rousseau
  • Patent number: 8058834
    Abstract: A control device for an automatic transmission includes a current detecting unit for detecting motor current. The current detecting unit has a counter for counting variation number of a rotational position signal output from a rotational position detecting unit for detecting the rotational position of a motor, and an electrical angle 180° judging unit for judging rotation of electrical angle 180° of the motor. A voltage occurring in a current detecting resistor is sampled at a timing of each integral multiple of the electrical angle of 180° judged in the electrical angle 180° judging unit, and rotation of the motor is controlled in accordance with the difference between motor target current calculated in the motor target current calculating unit and motor current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takeru Okabe, Shiro Yonezawa, Nozomu Kamioka, Tomohisa Shoda, Masaki Horii, Yasufumi Ogawa, Osamu Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7912613
    Abstract: A riding type vehicle includes an automatic transmission capable of executing a shift change by a clutch actuator and a shift actuator. A clutch is controlled by the clutch actuator and is a multiplate clutch. The multiplate clutch is provided with bias member configured to enlarge a partial clutch engagement region of the clutch. The multiplate clutch is configured such that during shift change, both of the clutch actuator and the shift actuator are controlled to operate in overlapping manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Kosugi
  • Publication number: 20100084211
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention, an embodiment of hybrid-powered slow-speed vehicle (400) fundamentally comprising battery-electric slow-speed (BESS) vehicle (107) plus auxiliary-drive ICE-powertrain (200), hub-coaxial wheel positioner (269).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Richard Bruce Seidel, Edmund James Bowen
  • Patent number: 7658261
    Abstract: In a method for operating a drive train for a motor vehicle, a torque is produced by means of an internal combustion engine as a function of an available torque set value signal and transmitted to drive wheels by means of a clutch. With the help of an electric motor, a closing force is applied, with which the clutch is held in a closed position against a restoring force. The electric motor is energized in such a way that a high current is used in the case of a high torque and a lower current is used in the case of a lower torque. The thermal load of the electric motor is determined and a load signal corresponding to the thermal load is produced. The load signal is compared with a load limit signal assigned to a permissible load range. If the load signal deviates from the load-limit signal, the torque of the internal combustion engine is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventor: Thomas Pfund
  • Patent number: 7617896
    Abstract: An electric vehicle is provided with an electric motor and a transmission capable of being shifted by a shift mechanism from a neutral state to a start-up speed stage selected state in which a speed stage for start-up of the vehicle has been selected. On a request for a shift from the neutral state to the start-up speed stage selected state, an ECU performs the requested shift by controlling the shift mechanism. If the shift to the start-up speed stage selected state is not completed within a first specified time, the ECU performs a rotating position control in which the motor is controlled to produce a predetermined minute torque in forward and backward rotation directions of the motor, alternately, and a gear of the speed stage for start-up is caused to oscillate in a rotation direction by the minute torque being transmitted to an input shaft of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Ogata
  • Patent number: 7617903
    Abstract: A mount for a model vehicle engine is provided, having a hinge configured to be secured to a vehicle chassis, a vehicle engine having a crank shaft for driving a vehicle, the engine being secured to the hinge for pivotal movement toward and away from a shaft coupled directly or indirectly to a wheel for driving a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Traxxas LP
    Inventors: Brent Whitfield Byers, Jon Kenneth Lampert
  • Publication number: 20090194352
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a frame and a cooling package. The cooling package includes a water cooler and an oil cooler disposed in a fixed side-by-side arrangement. The water cooler and the oil cooler are movably supported side-by-side on the frame. The cooling package includes a front surface and a rear surface. The cooling package is configured to move on the frame to permit cleaning of the front surface of the cooling package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Sean Plante, William Pearson, Joseph Biggerstaff, Eric Hensley, Benjamin Collogan, Brady Lewis, Jason Bergkamp, Aaron Baldwin
  • Patent number: 7232003
    Abstract: In a motor vehicle comprising a vehicle body having a support structure for supporting a main drive unit and at least one support block disposed on the support structure by which the main drive unit is supported in the vehicle body, each support block comprises bottom and top parts which are movable relative to each other and provided with an operating mechanism for causing such movement for lowering the drive unit when the motor vehicle is involved in a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Daimler Chrysler AG
    Inventors: JĂĽrgen BĂĽrkle, Timo Schmidt, Karsten Unger
  • Patent number: 7216748
    Abstract: The present invention is a drivetrain that prevents the torque from a decelerating engine from being transmitted to the wheels of the vehicle. The drivetrain of a vehicle is provided such that the negative torque from the decelerating engine of the vehicle is selectively prevented from being transmitted to the wheels of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Jody G. Mayne
  • Patent number: 6752232
    Abstract: The drive unit for a motor vehicle, has an input drive shaft connected to a starting element, which unit has an automatic transmission connected to the starting element and also possesses a first output drive shaft, which is connected to the rear wheel drive of a motor vehicle and has a second output drive shaft which is connected to the front wheel drive of the motor vehicle and further possesses a torsion damping mechanism. The second output shaft (1) is located in the motor side area of the drive unit and, seen in the direction of travel, is disposed in front of the starting element (3), transverse to the input drive shaft, while the torsion damping mechanism (2) is placed in front of the second output drive (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Markus Hoher
  • Patent number: 6455968
    Abstract: A device for attachment of electrical equipment, such as an alternator/starter motor, in the clutch housing of an automobile. The assembly includes a stator, a rotor, and a support hub of the rotor mounted on a bearing in an independent housing integral with the clutch housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: François Honorio, René Hulin, Marc Chantreau, Bernard Schumacher
  • Patent number: 6050358
    Abstract: A scissors lift (20) including an engine compartment (22) having an engine (24) therein. An engine mount (25) which permits rotation of the engine (24) outward about two pivot axes and out of the engine compartment (22) so that items on the back side of the engine such as the oil filter, alternator, or starter can be accessed. The engine (24) begins in a first position, is rotated about a first axis (68) to a second position, and is rotated outward about a second axis (70) to a third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Genie Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Kays, Michael F. Davis, John Busuttil
  • Patent number: 6003625
    Abstract: A rear-drive, ride-on tractor propulsion unit is provided for articulation with manually steerable utility vehicles wherein a hydrostatic trans-axle transmission couples a gasoline motor to individual ones of two drive wheels about which the propulsion unit framework is pivoted. The drive wheels rotate about fixed axially aligned non-rotatable axles, and are independently driven by belts from the two axles of the transmission. In this manner, equal torque drive to the respective wheels is applied in one drive mode to maintain a preferred straight line drive path for the propulsion unit. For manual steering over a curved path the tractor unit permits a steerable three or four wheel utility vehicle to be pivoted about its rear wheels. A hydrostatic trans-axle transmission drive provides forward and reverse gears and braking. A low center of gravity provided by small wheels is made feasible by faster rotation speeds than the transaxle speeds afford.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventor: William V. Neuling
  • Patent number: 5934397
    Abstract: A modular vehicle includes a frame having three main sections; a front section, a rear section and a center section. The front and rear sections may be displaced vertically with respect to center section prior to being assembled. Each section is separately assembled and standardized so that various devices may be incorporated to each section and each section may be otherwise modified to allow a specific vehicle to be easily and quickly manufactured.Another aspect of the invention is a drive assembly that includes at least two electric motors, each having different operating characteristics. Each motor is connected to a common drive shaft through a controllable clutch. A drive system controller selectively activates each motor in response to power demand, as determined by a relative position of an accelerator pedal, by engaging the clutch of a selected motor and simultaneously providing power to the selected motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventor: Douglas Schaper
  • Patent number: 5909780
    Abstract: A vehicle for underground mine shafts includes a body having a cabin located in a front section of a vehicle with an entry to the cabin located at the front of the vehicle, a door at the entry, a sensor for sensing when the door is open and control circuitry which is connected to the sensor. The vehicle also includes vehicle brakes to activate the vehicle brakes when the sensor senses that the door is open, a pair of tracks on either side of the cabin, a driving means for driving the tracks, a steering means for steering the body, and a suspension system including a torsion bar suspension arrangement which permits torsion bars of the vehicle to be located just above the level of track wheels of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Ani Mining Services Ltd
    Inventor: John De Andrade
  • Patent number: 5699872
    Abstract: A crank shaft of a power unit is disposed in the longitudinal direction of a vehicular body. Accessories provided at either end portion of the crank shaft are covered with a front cover and rear covers which are removable from a casing. Front and rear drive shafts are disposed to be lower than the axial line of the crank shaft. A fan unit and an air cleaner are disposed to be higher than the axial line, so that front and rear operating spaces for inserting an impact wrench are formed in front of and in back of the front cover and the rear covers. The maintenance is performed through the operational spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Futoshi Miyakawa, Masahiro Kawamata, Yoshiaki Hamada, Kosuke Asao, Tsuneo Kajikawa
  • Patent number: 5570753
    Abstract: A motorcycle utilizes a support frame upon which an engine and transmission are supported in an in-line front to back relationship. The engine and transmission cases are coupled by a primary engine case on one side. A torque resisting arm configured to be fitted to the opposite sides of the engine and transmission cases from that which the primary engine case occupies is secured to underlying faces of the engine case and transmission case to provide a torque resisting member therebetween. The torque resisting arm includes a generally planar engine attachment plate configured to be received upon the engine case and a generally planar spanning plate configured to be received upon the transmission case. The torque resisting arm further defines an offset wall and curved wall extending between the engine attachment plate and the spanning plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Inventor: Anthony J. Carlini
  • Patent number: 5484034
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has a supporting frame with a bearer part which is arranged thereon and on which, in turn, additional units together with their connecting lines are pre-assembled. To simplify assembly or repair, the frame has, in the region of the wheel housing, a perforation. In the region of the perforation, the bearer part is assembled. After the mounting of the bearer part equipped with the additional units and the connection or laying of the connecting lines, the perforation is subsequently closed. That is, after the painting of the frame, the perforation is closed by a cover plate which can be attached on the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventors: Erwin Benz, Gerhard Burk, Norbert Schwuchow, Werner Trost, Martin Deibler
  • Patent number: 4962825
    Abstract: The assembly of a skid steer loader includes the fabrication of a lower frame assembly which has a transmission case with side walls and front and back end walls, and an engine mount platform which is welded to and extends from the back end wall. A hydraulic motor is mounted to each side wall of the transmission case. An engine and hydraulic pump are fastened to an engine/pump mounting bracket and coupled by a belt linkage to form an engine and hydraulic pump assembly. The engine and hydraulic pump assembly is then mounted to the engine mount platform at the back end of the lower frame assembly. Hydraulic fluid hoses which couple the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motors can then be added. A main frame assembly having a pair of laterally spaced side members adapted to be mounted to the lower frame assembly and form side walls of an engine compartment is also fabricated. A hydraulic control valve and its associated hydraulic fluid hoses can be mounted to the main frame assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Larry E. Albright, Joseph M. Mather, Orlan J. Loraas, Carman Lynnes
  • Patent number: 4799571
    Abstract: A vehicle axle transmission is located between inwardly protruding wall indentations of a chassis trough-shaped bodywork of the vehicle structure and is retained by acceptance elements which are mounted to and inserted from the outside into these wall indentations into casing parts of the axle transmission such that it becomes unnecessary either to arrange and work on the corresponding transmission bearings or to carry out the necessary assembly and dismantling work within the chassis trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stefan Bopp
  • Patent number: 4796721
    Abstract: A system used in a vehicle having a ground-engaging attitude to effect the displacement from a compartment in the vehicle of a power pack adapted for driving the vehicle. The system elevates the power pack from a vehicle driving position within the compartment toward another position disposed exteriorly of the compartment and maintains the power pack at the same attitude as the ground-engaging attitude of the vehicle upon the elevation of the power pack. The system senses attitude variations of the power pack upon its displacement, and is actuated in response to the attitude variation for controlling operation of the displacement and maintaining functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Malcolm H. Knapp, Gerhard Sonder
  • Patent number: 4633727
    Abstract: An auxiliary foot actuated gearshift for a motorcycle is disclosed wherein an independent pivot shaft is established at the near midpoint location of the auxiliary gearshift lever in such a manner so that downward pressure on the auxiliary gearshift at the pedal (outboard) end causes an upward pressure on the opposite (inboard) end which rests against the under side of the existing gearshift lever. This action pushes the existing gearshift up and allows the operator to shift from the low range of gears to the high range of gears by applying downward pressure on the auxiliary gearshift. Since the original existing gearshift has not been altered by the installation of the auxiliary gearshift, shifting from the high range of gears to the low range of gears is accomplished by downward pressure on the original existing gearshift. All shifting therefore can be accomplished by downward pressure on either the existing or the auxiliary gearshift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Inventor: Carl D. Pike
  • Patent number: 4601360
    Abstract: A beam and chain hoist assembly is provided including a longitudinally extending support beam having longitudinally spaced bearing surfaces adapted to engage support portions of the cab of an overland vehicle. The support beam is bifurcated at its front end to straddle the windshield post and is provided with lengthwise adjustment at its rear end. A carriage is provided having wheels adapted to move along the beam and carry the transmission longitudinally and first and second stops are provided on the beam to limit the travel of the carriage between a first position located generally above the transmission and a second position longitudinally spaced from the first position where the transmission may be removed from the cab of the vehicle. A chain hoist is suspended from the carriage including a saddle connector attachable to the transmission, and allowing it to move longitudinally, whereby an operator may raise, lower and longitudinally move the transmission with a minimal amount of effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Inventor: Steven D. Duke
  • Patent number: 4535867
    Abstract: A vertically inclined engine low floor bus in which the prime mover for the bus is a rear engine oriented above the rear axle of the bus in a vertically inclined position with the transmission assembly being connected to the rear axle through a gear transfer case closely adjacent the front of the axle to enable the floor of the bus to be constructed at a lower position than arrangements in which the floor must be oriented vertically above the upper limits of movement of the rear axle assembly. Orienting the engine in this position also enables the overall height of the bus to be less than conventional while maintaining desired passenger compartment height and further enables the wheel base of the bus to be increased without increasing the overall length of the bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Inventor: Bela Botar
  • Patent number: 4534442
    Abstract: A vertically installed engine low floor bus in which the prime mover for the bus is a rear engine oriented vertically above the rear axle of the bus to enable the floor of the bus to be constructed at a lower position then arrangements in which the floor must be oriented vertically above the upper limits of movement of the rear axle assembly. Orienting the engine vertically enables the wheel base of the bus to be increased without increasing the overall length of the bus. The vertically mounted engine enables the engine and transmission assembly to be mounted on a sub-frame that is pivotally supported for downward swinging movement of the engine and transmission assembly to a generally horizontal position projecting rearwardly from the bus to enable increased accessability to the engine and transmission assembly as well as the accessory components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Inventor: Bela Botar
  • Patent number: 4523655
    Abstract: A vehicle frame comprising a forward section adapted to contain an engine and a rear section adapted to contain a steering drive mechanism ahead of and in communication with a transmission, the rear section is formed by a forward wall, top and bottom walls, and opposing sidewalls, and a detachably mounted rear cover to define a housing. The transmission is supported by and slidable along mounting rods, the mounting rods being fixably mounted forwardly in the housing in a cantilevered fashion. The transmission is further mounted detachably to rearwardly located mounting wall within the housing. The transmission communicates with a forwardly located steering drive mechanism in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Thomas F. Keenan, John J. Kass
  • Patent number: 4506757
    Abstract: A tracked vehicle designed to allow easy dismounting, as for servicing, of a power train assembly comprising a torque converter, a transmission, and a steering mechanism detachably joined together. Having its input shaft coupled to the output shaft of an engine via a joint, the torque converter is supported on a pair of main vehicle frame members via a removable support member extending therebetween. The steering mechanism is mounted to the main frame members both detachably and for pivotal motion about the aligned axis of its pair of output shafts separably connected to respective retractable input shafts of final drives secured externally to the main frame members. Thus the power train assembly is either wholly dismountable from the vehicle frame or pivotable relative to the vehicle frame about the aligned output shafts of the steering mechanism for dismounting only the torque converter and the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1985
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Takeshi Matsumoto, Shuji Yoshida, Katsuji Shikimi
  • Patent number: 4392545
    Abstract: An automobile body of a front-engine-front-drive type has an engine located in the engine compartment with the crankshaft directed transversely. The frame assembly for supporting the power unit comprising the engine and the transmission device is constituted by a front and rear sections. The rear section is secured to the body and the front section is removably connected at the front end with the body and at the rear end with the rear section. The power unit is mounted on the front section so that it can be removed from the body together with the front section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1983
    Assignee: Toyo Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hayathugu Harasaki, Wataru Tsutagawa
  • Patent number: 4325451
    Abstract: In a wheeled vehicle such as a dump truck propelled by electric motors built into the respective wheels, a power plant is provided on a removable base for the generation of electric energy to be fed to the motors. The power plant comprises an electric generator and a pair of prime movers such as diesel engines on the opposite sides of the generator. This generator has its armature and magnetic field structure coupled directly to the respective prime movers thereby to be rotated in opposite directions relative to each other for increased power output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1982
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventor: Haruhiko Umeda
  • Patent number: 4320814
    Abstract: An electric-hydrostatically powered vehicle has an electric motor connected through a gear box to a hydrostatic pump which powers the vehicle. The vehicle chassis includes a main frame portion and a removable subframe portion which is resiliently mounted in spaced-apart, overlying relationship on the main frame portion. The subframe provides a platform for mounting the motor, gear box and pump independently of the main frame of the vehicle to define a removable drive module. The subframe provides planar mounting surfaces that enable translational and angular positioning of the motor and gear box in three dimensions to align their shafts. The module is preassembled by mounting the motor and gear box on the platform, aligning and connecting their shafts, and securing the motor and gear box to the platform. Thereafter, the module is installed as a unit into the vehicle, the alignment of the shafts being undisturbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Assignee: Paccar Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Middelhoven