With Structure Adapted To Receive Or Support A Motor, Change-speed Gearing, Or Other Power Train Element Patents (Class 180/312)
  • Patent number: 8657059
    Abstract: An attachment structure of a propeller shaft to a cross-member in a vehicle includes a pair of main frames (10) extending in a vehicle length direction; the cross-member (15) connecting the main frames (10) together; the propeller shaft (37) arranged between the main frames (10) and including a front shaft (37a) and a rear shaft (37b) connected together through a joint (65); a center bearing (67) fixed to the cross-member (15) and configured to rotatably support the front shaft (37a); a fuel tank (83) arranged between the center bearing (67) and one of the main frames (10); and a flexible connection body (170) configured to connect the center bearing (67) and part of the cross-member (15) on a side opposite to the fuel tank (83) and having a length which is substantially non-extendable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hideto Yamada, Hiroyuki Akaki, Soukichi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8657060
    Abstract: A support mount bracket (57) provided on a vehicle frame (9) and configured to support a mount part (53) of a front differential gear unit (36) is arranged on part of a cross-member (12) connecting a pair of right and left main frames (10) so as to be, in a vehicle width direction, displaced from the center of a vehicle (1) in a width direction thereof. The support mount bracket (57) includes a base part (57d, 57e) to be connected to the cross-member (12), and a pair of fixing parts (57b, 57c) protruding from the base part (57d, 57c) and sandwiching the mount part (53) from sides thereof in the vehicle width direction. One (57b) of the fixing parts (57b, 57c) on a side closer to the center of the vehicle (1) in the width direction thereof is detachably attached to the base part (57d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Osami Ohno, Osamu Kurogi, Noritaka Sakiyama, Hiroyuki Akaki, Hideto Yamada, Osamu Kishi
  • Patent number: 8651217
    Abstract: A structure of an engine mount is provided for a vehicle in which an engine is disposed in the front of the vehicle, a front wheel is driven, and the engine is integrally coupled with a transmission to be seated horizontally on a vehicle body in a transverse mounting direction. The structure may include a driveshaft coupled to receive the driving force of the engine through the transmission and penetrate a center bearing through a bearing bracket fixed to the engine, a subframe as a plate shape coupled to the vehicle body in a rear lower part of the engine and coupled to a lower part of the transmission through a main roll rod mounted on the front, and a sub-roll rod having one end connected to the subframe and the other end connected to the bearing bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Yong-Jin Kim, Seung-Won Kim, Kong-Sup Jung, Hyo-Seok Kim
  • Patent number: 8640814
    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 side-by-side all terrain vehicles having plural rows of seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron D. Deckard, Brian M. Safranski, Richard L. Sunsdahl
  • Patent number: 8641066
    Abstract: An integrated vehicular suspension and differential mounting structure includes a metal base frame which supports a differential support member having a body formed of a resin or composite material. The differential support member further includes integrated annular collars having a central portion formed of a metal and a peripheral portion formed of resin or rubber. The peripheral portion of the collars are integrated with the resin or composite body of the differential support member. The base frame may further include a bracket for supporting the differential support member and a bracket for mounting an associated suspension system. The bracket for supporting the differential support member may be integrally formed with the bracket for mounting the associated suspension system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Kudla, Naoki Munekata
  • Patent number: 8636093
    Abstract: To obtain a vehicle body lower portion structure that can efficiently absorb and disperse load of a front or rear collision including an offset collision or an oblique collision, and transmit the load to an underbody. A vehicle body lower portion structure has an underbody at which a dash lower portion and a lower back portion are provided to stand from both ends in a vehicle front-rear direction at a floor portion, a suspension member the length direction thereof is along a vehicle transverse direction and is joined to the underbody in a state of planarly-contacting a front surface of the dash lower portion, and a front EA member a length direction thereof is along the vehicle transverse direction and is joined to a front wall of the suspension member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Sotoyama, Koki Ikeda, Shigeru Inamori, Kazuhiro Seki, Hiroaki Iwamoto, Masahiro Ono, Sho Maeda
  • Patent number: 8636303
    Abstract: The invention relates to a module for the modular frame of a heavy load transport vehicle, characterized in that it comprises, at one end thereof, a junction surface having an oblique bearing surface extending between two parallel planar surfaces inclined relative to the previous one. The invention also relates to a method for mounting such modules. The invention relates to a frame that comprises at least two such modules in which the junction surfaces together define an assembly with an oblique scarf joint, an unabutting scarf joint or key joint. The invention also relates to a harbor vehicle comprising at least one such frame and at least one such module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Envision Vehicle Engineering Novasio Technology Event
    Inventors: Christophe Gaussin, Pho-Trung Chau, Reginald Fenix
  • Patent number: 8627906
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical connection system for a motor vehicle with electric drive so as to make it possible to electrically connect means of electrical energy storage of the vehicle to an electrical source with a view to their charging, characterized in that it comprises: at least one electrically conducting bar extending in such a way as to be accessible from beneath the vehicle between front and rear regions thereof, each electrically conducting bar comprising an electrically conducting active surface connected electrically to the means of electrical energy storage of the vehicle, the active surface being intended to come into contact with complementary means of the electrical source, protection means for protecting the active surface of the electrically conducting bar, the bar and the protection means being able to move relative to one another between a so-called charging position where the active surface of the bar is disengaged from the protection means and a so-called off-charge position
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Delachaux S.A.
    Inventor: Gilles Lacour
  • Patent number: 8616324
    Abstract: A sub-frame and component configuration for mounting on a motorcycle includes a body frame structure including a main frame portion; and a sub-frame portion, he sub-frame is fixedly secured to the main frame portion and is configured for receiving and securing thereon a drop seat providing a rider with a seating area that is relatively closer to the ground than the seating area of a conventional motorcycle seat. A method of mounting the sub-frame on a motorcycle includes: fixedly securing a drop seat sub-frame portion onto a main frame portion, wherein the drop seat sub-frame portion is configured for receiving and securing thereon a drop seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Gary D. Chipp
  • Patent number: 8613338
    Abstract: A flat plate nose frame design for a tractor in which a thick, flat structural plate is connected to and forwardly extends from the conventional frame rails of the tractor. The flat plate nose frame design increases vertical clearance under the hood without raising the hood height or reducing ground clearance. The nose plate is contoured to match the exterior contours of the tractor grill and hood eliminating the need for a separate aesthetic component covering the nose plate. The nose plate features a pair of vertically aligned short-height frame plates extending forwardly along the axis from the deep-section frame rails to increase strength in the flat nose plate without significantly increasing vertical height of the nose plate assembly. The flat plate nose frame is capable of withstanding operational loads as well as supporting a weight package or front-mounted implements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: John T. Rasset, Russell V. Stoltman, David S. Booth, Bryan J. Garberg, Carl J. Hagele, Chad A. Bautz, Landon J. Fries
  • Patent number: 8596405
    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: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Larry Sunsdahl, Aaron David Deckard, Marcus Johannes Tullemans, Richard E Eck, Jason Carl Plugge, Alan A Meyer, Laurie Jean Rengel, Geoffrey G White, Thomas Samuel Parks McCoubrey, Brian Michael Safranski
  • Patent number: 8590662
    Abstract: A structure for mounting a transmission to a vehicle body may include a transmission mounting bracket coupled both to a transmission casing of the transmission and to a rear cover coupled to the transmission casing, wherein the transmission mounting bracket may be coupled to an insulator, and the insulator may be mounted to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventors: Hyun Ku Lee, Min Sung Baik, Moo Suk Kim, Kyoung Wook Kim
  • Patent number: 8590663
    Abstract: A support structure for a motor vehicle body includes, but is not limited to a longitudinal girder extending between an engine compartment and a wheel installation space, a wheel installation strut extending over the wheel installation space, an engine frame, an attached bracket protruding downward on the longitudinal girder, which supports the longitudinal girder on the engine frame, and a one-piece reinforcement element, of which a first arm flanks the bracket and a second arm extends in the direction of the wheel installation strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Udo Mildner, Karsten Bohle
  • Patent number: 8585064
    Abstract: A crop sprayer includes a pivoting axle suspension assembly that includes a bolster assembly secured between the frame rails of the main frame of the crop sprayer. The bolster assembly includes formed tube members that support a bearing structure for pivotably coupling a pivot pin of a pivot axle to the main frame. The tube members are curved downwardly from the main frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: ET Works, LLC
    Inventors: Chad A Ringer, Justin Honegger, Ryan Larsh, Jarrett Waters
  • Patent number: 8584789
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly for hanging a vibration-generating member (8) attached inside an axle (3) of a running gear of a vehicle, in particular an automobile, said member (8) being attached to the axle (3) by at least one first (9A), one second (9B) and one third (9C) anti-vibration attachment elements, the three attachment elements (9A, 9B, 9C) not being on the same horizontal plane XY, said attachment elements (9A, 9B, 9C) providing isostatic hanging of the member (8) in the axle (3), and in which the first and second attachment elements (9A and 9B) are arranged separated from one another and aligned on a diagonal connecting the center of the first attachment element (9A) with the center of the second attachment element (9B), passing through the center of gravity of the member (8); the third attachment element (9C), separated from the first and second attachment elements (9A, 9B), does not pass through said diagonal line; and the center of the third attachment element (9C) and the center of gra
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Jacques Dusi, Dominique Poupard, Herve Remond
  • Patent number: 8579309
    Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly includes a structural member configured to support a vehicle body and a subframe member configured to support at least one of a vehicle suspension and an engine. The structural member includes a cavity and the subframe member includes a support section and an extension that extends transversely from the support section. The extension is received in the cavity to connect the subframe member with the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Charles J. Gagliano
  • Patent number: 8562021
    Abstract: There is provided a front vehicle body structure including: a front sub frame mounted below front side frames; a tie rod disposed forwardly of an axle; a tie rod pressing member having a pressing portion which is mounted on the front sub frame forward of the tie rod and presses the tie rod when a collision occurs; and a rotational movement generating member for causing the tie rod pressing member to generate a rotational movement by deforming an area on which the tie rod pressing member is mounted in the front sub frame, by the load received when a collision occurs. The pressing portion is displaced by the rotational movement from a first position which is out of a steering range of the front wheels to a second position at which the pressing portion swings outward in the vehicle width direction and which allows pressing of the tie rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsumasa Kuwabara, Hiroyuki Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20130256050
    Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure includes a vehicle having a plurality of ground engaging members, a chassis supported by the plurality of ground engaging members, and an engine supported by the chassis. The engine is configured to provide power to at least one of the plurality of ground engaging members. The vehicle further has a seating area supported by the chassis. The seating area includes at least an operator seat and a passenger seat in a side-by-side arrangement. The vehicle further has a plurality of longitudinal members positionable above the seating area, and a coupling device coupled to at least one of the longitudinal members. The coupling device has an adjustment member to vary a force of the coupling device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Shane A. Novotny, Bradley R. Morisch, Brian J. Gross, Jed P. Leonard
  • Patent number: 8544591
    Abstract: The subject matter of the present invention is a bearing device for the vibrationally decoupled rotary mounting of an intermediate shaft on the engine block of a motor vehicle. It has the following features: a. a radial bearing with an inner ring for accommodating the intermediate shaft, and an outer ring, b. a bearing housing provided for attachment on the engine block of the motor vehicle and for accommodating the radial bearing in a non-rotatable manner, and which forms a mechanical interface for the attachment of the bearing housing on the engine block of the motor vehicle, wherein the bearing device further comprises at least one rubber-elastic damper member provided to be disposed in a vibration-damping way between the bearing housing and the engine block when the bearing housing is mounted on the engine block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Neapco Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Felchner, Ole Biskup, Luis Höks
  • Patent number: 8544585
    Abstract: A light-weight vehicle component such as a vehicle chassis (100) formed from an internally reinforced rigid closed-cell foam (12). The reinforced closed-cell foam vehicle chassis (100) includes an outer layer of rigid closed-cell foam (108a), an inner layer of rigid closed-cell foam (108c), and one or more layers of reinforcing structural material (114) disposed between the inner and outer layers of foam. The reinforced closed-cell foam vehicle chassis incorporates reinforced attachment points (114a) for receiving and supporting vehicle components, such as suspension elements, steering components, a drive motor, and passenger accommodations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: Lon R. Ballard
  • Patent number: 8534412
    Abstract: A multiuse vehicle comprises a frame having longitudinal portions forming a central opening for supporting an engine and end portions extending forward and rearward from said longitudinal portions, each of the end portions having a downwardly extending leg portion with one or more hitches. A suspension system includes the use of pivoting arms that carry trunnion-mounted differentials. An operator's cab is mounted on a forward portion of the frame to provide the operator with increased visibility. The frame behind the operator's cab is configured to receive any of a variety of devices such as a dump bed, a sprayer tank, a salt spreader, or a flat bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Custom Chassis, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Carl Huhn, Matthew Thomas Tipple
  • Patent number: 8528683
    Abstract: A snowmobile chassis includes dual panels that form a lighter weight and stronger tunnel preferably without the need for structural doublers, plates or other attachable reinforcement devices. The dual panels take the form of inner and outer panels coupled together with selective gaps or spaces located between the panels. The gaps laterally separate the panels and may be continuous and take a variety of shapes as defined by each panel's configuration. The arrangement of the gaps may advantageously define a desired structural load path through the tunnel, increase a section modulus with respect to a centerline of the tunnel, and reduce an overall weight of the tunnel as compared with conventional tunnels that utilize added reinforcement devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Artic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Beavis, Jonathon Edwards, Ken Fredrickson, Ronald Bergman
  • Patent number: 8523136
    Abstract: An engine mount assembly is provided for mounting an engine to a vehicle frame. The engine mount assembly includes an elastomeric material snubber element having a generally elongated configuration with axial end faces and a coaxial bolt passage defined therethrough. A tubular sleeve has an inner shape sized for sliding receipt of the snubber element therein. The tubular sleeve has a longitudinal cross-sectional profile such that a bottom longitudinal cross-sectional portion of the tubular sleeve extends axially beyond the end faces of the snubber element and defines an enlarged attachment footprint for the tubular sleeve to a vehicle frame flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Dayalbhai R. Patel, Thomas Blake Tuttle, Suresh Padmanabh Pai
  • Patent number: 8522911
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle may include an operator area including side-by-side seating. The vehicle may further include a prime mover and a transmission operatively coupled to at least one ground engaging member of the vehicle. The prime mover may be a diesel engine and the transmission may include a CVT. The prime mover and the transmission may be assembled together and supported by a frame of the vehicle through a plurality of mounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Chris J. Hurd, Richard D. Ripley, Anthony J. Kinsman, Matthew S. Kmecik, Brent A. Erspamer, Ryan D. Carlson
  • Patent number: 8511711
    Abstract: A utility vehicle (1) comprising a carrier frame (3) mounted above a transaxle (2) is provided. The carrier frame (3) comprises a first carrier frame section (30) and a second carrier frame section (40). A height level of the first carrier frame section (30) differs from a height level of the second carrier frame section (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: AGCO GmbH
    Inventor: Robert Honzek
  • Patent number: 8511417
    Abstract: A ride-on, self-propelled vehicle having front caster wheels, such as a zero-turn mower, includes a front brake system. The actuating power for the front brake pass through a spindle supporting the front caster wheel. In a preferred embodiment, a center shaft of each spindle or a concentric outer ring of a sleeve of each spindle passes a force from a brake actuator to a brake for the respective caster wheel. Actuation of the brake actuator moves a member into frictional contact with a portion of the front wheel or an object attached to the front wheel to applying a braking force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventor: Ted H. Corriher
  • Patent number: 8499882
    Abstract: A utility vehicle comprises a vehicle body frame including a main frame including a floor member and a pair of right and left side members and a sub-frame for reinforcing the main frame, each of the side members includes a side pipe element, a first pillar pipe element, a second pillar pipe element and a third pillar pipe element, the sub-frame includes a first cross member provided between and coupled to second pillar pipe elements, one end portion of the first cross member is detachably coupled to one of the second pillar pipe elements and an opposite end portion of the first cross member is detachably attached to the other second pillar pipe element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Tsumiyama, Hidetoshi Kaku, Tyler Furman, Kazuhiro Maeda
  • Patent number: 8499883
    Abstract: A first fastening portion (100) for fastening a cylinder block (20) and a bracket (50) to each other and a second fastening portion (200) for fastening a crank case (30) and the bracket (50) to each other are so provided as to have interposed therebetween a fastening bolt (40) for fastening the cylinder block (20) and the crank case (30) to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsuhiro Terada
  • Patent number: 8499881
    Abstract: An upper pipe 55 includes a single front pipe portion 68, a branch portion 69 bifurcated from the rear end of the front pipe portion 68, and two left and right rear pipe portions 71L, 71R extending vehicle-rearward from the branch portion 69. A cylinder head cover 58 is located between the two left and right rear pipe portions 71L, 71R as viewed from above. Therefore, the cylinder head cover 58 can be accessed from above and removed from a cylinder head, whereby a valve train chamber can be inspected and maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Muto, Mitsuo Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20130189066
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tractor which includes a body frame configured such that a front portion thereof adjacent to a front wheel axle is at a raised position to prevent interference with front wheels, and a medial portion thereof is depressed so that an engine can be located in the medial portion. Thereby, the front wheels can be turned to maximum angles without being impeded by the front wheel axle, and a driver cab provided with a driver seat can be located above an area where the engine is disposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventor: Joong-Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 8469137
    Abstract: Provided are a pair of left and right upper frames extending in a longitudinal direction; a mount frame supporting a transmission case below the upper frames; and vertical frames connecting the upper frames and the mount frame. Rear suspension arms are supported on the vertical frames. The vertical frames are configured to have upper members connected to the upper frames and lower members connected to the mount frame. The upper and lower members are separably connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Fujii
  • Patent number: 8469136
    Abstract: A hybrid construction machine includes an engine, a generator motor, and a hydraulic pump. They constitute a power unit, and are connected in series, with the generator motor being disposed between the engine and the hydraulic pump and with a center of gravity of the entire power unit being positioned closer to the generator motor than the center of gravity of the engine. A mount installation bracket is mounted at a side of each flange disposed at a corresponding side of the generator motor. A generator-motor-side mount device is mounted to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsunori Manabe, Takao Sugano
  • Patent number: 8459399
    Abstract: Provided is a mounting structure of a fuel cell system capable of inhibiting a related device from colliding with the fuel cell when a crash impact is applied from the vehicle front while inhibiting the increase in the vehicle weight. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, and a related device electrically connected to the fuel cell and disposed adjacent to the, wherein related device has an inclined part on a side of a forward direction of a vehicle. When a crash impact is applied to the vehicle from the forward direction side, the moving direction of the related device is changed to a direction (for example, downward) that is not parallel to the forward direction. Thus, it is possible to inhibit the related device from advancing directly toward and damaging the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Ohashi
  • Patent number: 8453779
    Abstract: A snowmobile frame (106) is described, with a tunnel (108) having an inverted U-shape. An engine cradle (110) is attached to a forward portion of the tunnel. A suspension assembly (112) is disposed forwardly of the engine cradle. At least one support member (142) supports the suspension assembly on the engine cradle. The at least one support member forms a crumple zone between the suspension assembly and the engine cradle. The at least one support member resists plastic deformation in response to the first predetermined force exerted on the suspension assembly. The at least one support member undergoes plastic deformation in response to a second predetermined force being exerted on the suspension assembly. The second predetermined force is greater in magnitude than the first predetermined force. The tunnel resists plastic deformation in response to the second predetermined force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Sebastien Vezina
  • Patent number: 8453780
    Abstract: An electrical component attachment structure for a two-wheeled motor vehicle includes a main frame supporting components of a vehicle body such as an engine, a center frame extending vertically behind the engine, and a pair of right and left seat rails detachably attached to the center frame, the seat rails being attached with a bracket which supports an electrical component, in which the bracket is formed in an approximate U-shape and is arranged with an opening section of the U-shape directed towards the front of the vehicle body, so that the bracket is configured to support the electrical component inside the approximate U-shape and to allow the electrical component to be taken out towards the front of the vehicle body from the opening section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Yamamoto, Tatsuya Sasaki, Kunihiro Kai, Takashi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8439148
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body frame, an engine attached to the vehicle body frame, and a power transmission unit for transmitting output from the engine to a wheel of the vehicle. The vehicle body frame includes a plate-shaped suspension-supporting bracket which is integrally connected to front end portions of main frame sections extending in a forward/rearward direction of a vehicle at a lower portion of the vehicle body frame, and also is integrally connected to lower end sides of front frame sections vertically extending at a front portion of the vehicle body frame. The plate-shaped suspension-supporting bracket includes suspension arm-supporting portions formed integrally therewith. The lightweight vehicle body frame reduces total weight of the vehicle and, at the same time, enhances assembling accuracy thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Shiina, Akihiro Yamashita, Hajime Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 8424631
    Abstract: A motor vehicle front structure is provided that has at least one first longitudinal girder and at least one first crash box. The first crash box has a deformation section and a fastening section, the fastening section connected to the first longitudinal girder. Moreover, the motor vehicle front structure has an engine mount, the engine mount having a first fastening section, which is connected to the first longitudinal girder. The fastening section of the first crash box and the first fastening section of the engine mount have a common overlap area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Klaus Labbe, Juergen Hulbert
  • Patent number: 8413751
    Abstract: A vehicle is equipped with fuel cells that is fastened to multiple side frames 810 arranged in parallel to each other and along a moving direction of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a support assembly arranged to span between the multiple side frames 810, a first fixation unit arranged to fasten the support assembly to the respective side frames 810, and a second fixation unit arranged to fix the fuel cells on the support assembly. This arrangement desirably reduces the influence of an external force applied to the fuel cells mounted on the vehicle and prevents an increase in total weight of the vehicle or a decrease in mounting space of the fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasunobu Jufuku, Hiroshi Arisawa, Junji Nagasawa, Hiroyuki Nakamura, Miho Kizuki
  • Patent number: 8413758
    Abstract: The vehicle body frame is configured in a manner that an upper tension pipe is removed from a first cross portion and a second cross portion. When mounting the engine in the vehicle body frame, the vehicle mounted component that is relatively heavy can be lowered into the vehicle body frame from above by removing the upper tension pipe. The vehicle body frame simplifies the removal and installation of the vehicle-mounted components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Shiina, Akihiro Yamashita, Hajime Uchiyama, Tatsuya Shiokawa, Yukinori Kurakawa, Masayuki Hirukawa
  • Patent number: 8414025
    Abstract: An energy-absorbing device is provided that is mountable to an engine cradle of a vehicle. The device includes spaced-apart first and second plates having first and second plate lengths respectively, with the first plate length being less than the second plate length. A divider plate is positioned between the first and second plates. Opposing first and second side walls connect the first plate to the divider plate. The first and second side walls have first and second angled edges defining first and second incline angles, respectively, relative to the divider plate. The first and second incline angles are each less than 90 degrees. A distal portion of the device, at least partially defined by the first and second angled edges, is configured to provide lower resistance to an impact force relative to a proximal portion of the device, thereby providing progressive crush resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Soo Aun Tan
  • Publication number: 20130081886
    Abstract: A chassis assembly for an electrical vehicle is provided. The chassis assembly includes a main chassis, at least one main chassis wheel, a secondary chassis and at least one secondary chassis wheel. The at least one main chassis wheel is rotationally coupled to the main chassis about a main chassis rotational axis. A secondary chassis is pivotally coupled to the main chassis. The secondary chassis is configured and arranged to hold batteries that supply energy to an electric motor coupled to the main chassis. The at least one secondary chassis wheel is rotationally coupled to the secondary chassis about a secondary chassis rotational axis. A pivot connection between the main chassis and the secondary chassis has a pivot axis that is generally parallel with the main chassis rotational axis and the secondary chassis rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventor: Mohammad Sadegh Jaberian
  • Patent number: 8408566
    Abstract: A subframe for a front axle of a motor vehicle is arranged on the floor side of the vehicle structure and is connected to a front axle transverse beam and to the vehicle body. The subframe substantially contains two longitudinal beams which are arranged in a divergent fashion in relation to one another and which are connected at the rear end—as viewed in relation to the direction of travel—to a plate-shaped stiffening element. The latter is held together with the longitudinal beams on a central tunnel of the vehicle structure by fastening devices, with it being possible for the free front ends of the longitudinal beams to be fastened to the front axle transverse beam by further fastening devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heiko Teichmann, Dennis Tegelkamp
  • Patent number: 8403347
    Abstract: Front-axle bracket (1) for motor vehicles, in which in each case two receptacles or recesses (5, 6) for the bearings for the swivel mounting of in each case one of two wheel control elements (7), such as the wishbone or A-arm, and the receptacles (18, 19, 20) for the securing of the front-axle bracket are provided as a premanufactured unit together with preassembled assemblies on the vehicle body, and at least some of the receptacles or recesses listed below for the securing of the steering mechanism (13) the securing of the stabilizer (15) the mounting of a hinged column (14), and the front-axle bracket is produced in the form of a light-metal component which is integral with said receptacles or recesses and connects them to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: KSM Castings Group GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Eickmann, Uwe Lange
  • Patent number: 8365855
    Abstract: A space surrounded by a partition member (26) partitioning between an engine (8) and a heat exchanger (20), a top plate (21D) of a support frame (21) constituting the heat exchanger (20), and a top plate (13A) of an engine cover (13) is defined as an article accommodating space (30). In addition, an article box (32) where tools necessary for a maintenance operation are stored is accommodated in the article accommodating space (30). Thereby even in a hydraulic excavator (1) of a type having a small swing radius at the rear in which the engine (8) and a counterweight (7) are arranged close to each other, by effectively using a top surface side of the heat exchanger (20), it is possible to secure the article accommodating space (30) for accommodating an article such as the article box (32) in a housing cover (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomonori Mamada, Hiroshi Kumagai
  • Publication number: 20130015012
    Abstract: A chassis for an electric vehicle comprises: a base frame, a front frame, a rear frame, two side frames, four suspension devices and four wheels. The front frame and the rear frame have the front arc-shaped tube and the arc-shaped rear tube fixed to the base frame, the arc-shaped tubes can not only reduce the number of tubes required but also increase the area of thrust force as compared to the straight tubes. Besides, the arc of the arc-shaped tubes avoids a connection point of an acute angle, thus preventing stress concentration while improving the structural strength of the chassis. Further, the arc-shaped front tube, the arc-shaped rear tube, the front connecting tube and the rear connecting tube are hollow, which contributes to light weight of the chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: ENERGY CONTROL LIMITED
    Inventor: DONALD P.H. WU
  • Patent number: 8353381
    Abstract: A transmission cross-member for supporting a vehicle's transmission includes a center portion, a pair of outer portions extending from the center portion and a pair of mounting flanges extending from the respective outer portions and connecting to the rails of the frame of the vehicle, wherein at least one of the mounting flanges is pivotally connected to one of the outer portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Inventor: Scott Melvin
  • Patent number: 8348007
    Abstract: A device for elastically mounting an engine transmission unit on a motor vehicle body, comprising a motor support, a flange rigidly mountable to the motor vehicle body, defining a longitudinal direction to be aligned with the driving direction, wherein the motor support essentially extends out of the flange in a transverse direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and is facing the engine transmission unit for forming a mounting area for the engine transmission unit, and an elastomeric body via which the motor support is elastically supported by the flange and which has a vertical support spring to absorb an essentially static load from the weight of the engine transmission unit, the load acting vertically to the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction, wherein the vertical support spring comprises two spring arms inclined towards each other and spreading away from each other in transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Anvis Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Waldemar Hermann, Heiko Pichel
  • Patent number: 8342285
    Abstract: A hydraulic device disposed in a torque strut so as to provide a fully decoupled hydraulic torque strut. A main rubber element vibrates in response to powertrain pitch torque. At high vibration amplitude, high hydraulic damping is provided via a pumping chamber, an inertia track and a bellowed compensation chamber, wherein a decoupler system hydraulically connected to the pumping chamber is passively disabled. At low vibration amplitude, minimal hydraulic damping is provided via the decoupler system which is connected by a decoupler track to the compensation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ping Lee, Daniel G. Gannon
  • Patent number: 8342548
    Abstract: A suspension system for a motor vehicle including a frame assembly; a differential supported on the frame assembly; two half shaft assemblies engaging the differential and being pivotally connected to the frame assembly; and at least one air spring operatively positioned between the frame assembly and each of the half shaft assemblies. The air springs are connected to a rotating linkage which maintains a substantially linear axis of compression for the air springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Motor Trike, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Vey, John Petry, Jeffrey D. Vey, Christopher Vey, Adam Schumann, Ryan Reineck
  • Patent number: 8324858
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for charging a vehicle. A vehicle and charging station can be designed such that an electric or hybrid vehicle can operate in a fashion similar to a conventional vehicle by being opportunity charged throughout a known route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Dale Hill, Michael Walker, Joshua Goldman, John Horth