Electric Patents (Class 180/65.1)
  • Patent number: 11351969
    Abstract: A tractor vehicle operation control device includes a yaw rate sensor, which detects the actual yaw rate, and a controller, which executes damping control for increasing braking power on the vehicle wheels based on the actual yaw rate and damping periodic yaw motion of the tractor vehicle originating in a trailer. The controller, based on the actual yaw rate, calculates a yaw indicator representing the degree of yaw motion, and sets the front wheels braking power to be greater and sets the rear wheels braking power to be less as the yaw indicator increases. For example, the controller calculates a peak value of the actual yaw rate and determines the actual yaw rate peak value to be the yaw rate. The controller also may calculate yaw angular acceleration based on the actual yaw rate and determine a yaw indicator based on the peak value of the yaw angular acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chihiro Nitta, Satoshi Fujisue
  • Patent number: 11344458
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle includes: a mobile base capable of traveling by an electromotive drive; and a battery capable of supplying electric power used in the electromotive drive. The mobile base includes: a front base having a front wheel; and a rear base having a rear wheel, the front and rear bases are configured to be capable of moving relative to each other so as to be changeable between an expanded state in which a wheelbase is expanded, and a contracted state in which the wheelbase is more contracted than in the expanded state, the front base includes a receiving portion capable of receiving the battery, and the receiving portion has a front opening formed in a front-end portion of the front base or a rear opening formed in a rear-end portion of the front base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gopinath Raja
  • Patent number: 11345398
    Abstract: A machine that can comprise a steering system configured to direct movement of the machine and a control system operably coupled for communication with the steering system. The control system can comprise a grade sensor, and a controller configured to determine a slope from an uphill side of the machine to a downhill side of the machine based on sensed data from the grade sensor. The controller can be further configured to control the steering system to limit a turn radius of the machine toward the uphill side of the frame based on the determined slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Product Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Oetken
  • Patent number: 11338806
    Abstract: A bake-steering apparatus for controlling autonomous navigation of an electric scooter includes at least one electric motor coupled to at least one wheel of the scooter to provide driving power to enable forward momentum of the scooter, at least a pair of brake pads on the scooter such that each brake pad is adapted to make mechanical braking contact with respective ones of the wheels to provide navigational steering of the scooter, and a computational module on the scooter and electrically connected to each brake pad. The computational module is adapted to receive electrical signals and compute them into corresponding braking commands so as to determine the mechanical braking contact to generate corresponding slowing and turning of the forward momentum of the scooter so as to provide navigational steering of the scooter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sanghyun Hong, Jianbo Lu, Justin Miller, Smruti Panigrahi, Timothy Feldkamp, Zhijun Han
  • Patent number: 11338698
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed at a method and apparatus for an active convertor dolly for use in a tractor-trailer configuration. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a system to connect a tractor to a trailer. The apparatus further includes a charge generating system for translating the mechanical motions or actions of the dolly into electricity or electrical energy so that this energy can be used to charge a battery or to power other functionality for either the dolly or the tractor-trailer. The active dolly may also operate to assist in shunting the tractor-trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventor: Brian Layfield
  • Patent number: 11342568
    Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle includes a fuel cell, a hydrogen tank, a driving motor, a power feeder and a controller. The controller is configured to: obtain current location information of the fuel cell vehicle, hydrogen supply position information, a fuel consumption of the fuel cell vehicle in a drive mode, a remaining amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank, and a consumed amount of hydrogen per unit time in a power feed mode; calculate an amount of hydrogen that is required for the fuel cell vehicle to drive from the current location to the supply position; calculate a power feedable time period when the fuel cell vehicle is operable in the power feed mode without causing the remaining amount of hydrogen to become less than the required amount of hydrogen, and display information with regard to the power feedable period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Umayahara, Shigeki Takaiwa, Masahiro Yamakawa, Hideshi Mizutani, Takao Ozawa, Shigeyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11325501
    Abstract: A method for preheating a battery of an electrically driven motor vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, controls a charging process and a discharging process of the battery in such a way that a minimum temperature of the battery is attained at a departure time of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Francois-Xavier Robert
  • Patent number: 11329483
    Abstract: A system for feeding electric power to a first consumer (1) comprises an input filter (6) with an input configured to be connected to a DC energy source and a DC intermediate link (3) connected to an output (14) of the input filter. A converter (12) is with an input connected to the DC intermediate link and has an output to be connected to said first consumer (1). The unit (16) controls the converter to obtain feeding of electric power requested by the first consumer independently of variations of the voltage on the DC link (3). An assembly is configured to act stabilizing on that voltage by controlling the converter to add a first power component to the power to be fed to the consumer. A second consumer (19) is controlled to consume a second power component to either assist the control of the converter to obtain the stabilization or alone take care thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Magnus Jansson, Henrik Mosskull, Peter Krafka, Daniel Wagner
  • Patent number: 11318807
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration unit includes at least one component, a frame (136), and an energy storage module (110). The at least one component is driven by electrical power. The frame (136) is constructed and arranged to structurally support the plurality of components. The energy storage module (110) is adapted to provide the electrical power, and is internally located and supported by the frame (136).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert A. Chopko, Garrison S. Moseley, Ciara Poolman, Craig Drew Bogli, Ivan Rydkin
  • Patent number: 11309599
    Abstract: A cooling structure of a vehicle battery unit includes: at least two battery modules; a battery cooling unit; an electric connection box; a battery case; a supply pipe; and a discharge pipe. The supply pipe includes: a first supply pipe portion passing between a battery module of the at least two battery modules, which is the battery module located on one side in a vehicle width direction, and the electric connection box; and a second supply pipe portion passing between the at least two battery modules. The discharge pipe includes: a first discharge pipe portion passing between a battery module of the at least two battery modules, which is the battery module located on the other side in the vehicle width direction, and the electric connection box; and a second discharge pipe portion passing between the at least two battery modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yosuke Yamagishi, Michihisa Tsutsumi, Hiroyuki Ozawa, Satoko Ito, Ryo Shinoda
  • Patent number: 11309766
    Abstract: A permanent magnet electric motor includes a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis and a rotor mounted on the shaft. The rotor is rotatable concomitantly with the shaft about the longitudinal axis, the rotor defines an innermost rotor edge. The innermost rotor edge is sized to receive the shaft. The permanent magnet electric motor further includes a stator. The shaft defines a jacket configured to receive a coolant. The jacket is disposed about the longitudinal axis. The jacket is elongated in a first direction. The first direction is parallel to the longitudinal axis. The rotor defines a plurality of longitudinal channels. Each of the plurality of longitudinal channel is elongated along the first direction, and each of the plurality of longitudinal channels is in fluid communication with the jacket to allow fluid flow between the jacket and the plurality of the longitudinal channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Yang, Wei Zeng, Lei Hao, Srihari K. Gangaraj
  • Patent number: 11302996
    Abstract: Presented are integrated electrical interconnect board (ICB) assemblies for battery modules, rechargeable traction battery packs equipped with such ICB assemblies, and methods for making/using such ICB assemblies. A battery module for storing and supplying electrical energy includes multiple battery cells that are stacked in side-by-side facing relation with one another and each has a battery cell casing with an electrical terminal projecting therefrom. An electrically insulating module housing has a housing base that supports thereon the stacked battery cells. An integrated ICB assembly, which is attached to the module housing, includes a central cover in spaced facing relation to the housing base, endwalls projecting from the central cover, and multiple busbar connectors attached to the endwalls and electrically connected to the battery cells' electrical terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brittany A. Castillo, Nicholas R. Bratton, Robert J. Heydel, Igor M. Kan
  • Patent number: 11296382
    Abstract: A battery pack for an electric truck includes a box shaped outer housing, a stack of battery modules accommodated inside the outer housing comprising at least one thermal plate and several battery modules arranged in thermal contact with the at least one thermal plate for heating and/or cooling of the at least one battery module and at least one support element being arranged at least partially between the stack of battery modules and the outer housing including at least partially a porous material and supporting the battery stack with respect to the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: DESIGNWERK PRODUCTS AG
    Inventor: Frank Loacker
  • Patent number: 11292332
    Abstract: An axle assembly for a low floor vehicle is described herein. The axle assembly includes an axle housing and a drive unit for driving a wheel assembly. The drive unit includes an axle shaft, a wheel end assembly, an electric machine, and a transmission unit. The axle shaft extends along an axle centerline axis between a first axle end and a second axle end. The wheel end assembly is coupled to the first axle end. The electric machine is positioned within the axle housing and includes a rotor shaft, a drive pinion coupled to the rotor shaft, and an electric motor for rotating the rotor shaft. The rotor shaft extends along a rotor shaft centerline axis that is orientated parallel to the axle centerline axis. The transmission unit is positioned within the axle housing and is configured to transfer torque from the electric machine to the axle shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.
    Inventors: Shaun Mepham, Vikram Chopra, Christopher G. Baillie
  • Patent number: 11283099
    Abstract: A battery pack includes: a plurality of battery cells arranged in a line in one arrangement direction; a pair of end plates disposed at opposite ends of the plurality of battery cells in the arrangement direction; a pair of binding bars disposed on opposite sides of the plurality of battery cells in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction; and an insulator disposed in a gap between each of the binding bars and the battery cells. The insulator having an initial thickness larger than a thickness of the gap before insertion of the insulator into the gap in a compressed state. The end plates sandwich the battery cells therebetween in the arrangement direction, and the binding bars sandwich the battery cells therebetween in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tsuneyuki Ejima
  • Patent number: 11282305
    Abstract: A driving evaluation device includes a processor. The processor is configured to acquire vehicle information including the maximum speed in each trip of a vehicle, evaluate an economical level of each trip of the vehicle based on the vehicle information, and change an evaluation method of the economical level according to the maximum speed in each trip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryuichi Suzuki, Koki Fujita
  • Patent number: 11279236
    Abstract: A braking control system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes a motor providing rotational force to wheels of the vehicle and a first battery storing electric energy for driving the motor. An inverter is connected to the first battery via a DC link terminal and performs a bidirectional power conversion between the DC link terminal and the motor. A DC converter is connected to the DC link terminal to down-convert a voltage of the DC link terminal and output the down-converted voltage. A second battery is supplied with the voltage converted by the DC converter and has a voltage lower than that of the first battery. A controller operates the inverter and the DC converter to charge regenerative braking energy generated from the motor during braking of the vehicle in the first battery and the second battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hyo Sik Moon, Jae Hoon Choi, Hee Sung Moon, Yun Ho Kim, Sung Keun Song, Kyung In Min, Yu Seok Kim
  • Patent number: 11279227
    Abstract: A rotatable drive axle assembly for an electric vehicle comprises a rotatable vehicle drive axle configured to be disposed along a transverse axis of an electric vehicle and having an axle end that is configured for attachment to a drive wheel. The rotatable drive axle assembly also comprises a selectively movable differential configured to be disposed on the rotatable vehicle drive axle and configured to operatively couple motive power of a selectively movable electric propulsion motor comprising a rotatable motor shaft rotatable about a motor axis to the rotatable vehicle drive axle and the drive wheel, the selectively movable electric propulsion motor and the motor axis configured to be oriented in a substantially vertical direction and movable with reference to the rotatable vehicle drive axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey David Gaither, Robert C. MacArthur, Justin J. Chow
  • Patent number: 11283088
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cooling system for a fuel cell electric vehicle. The cooling system includes a stack cooling line that cools a fuel cell stack of the fuel cell electric vehicle and a first cooling line of a closed loop type that cools at least some of first components that generate a larger amount of heat during braking of the vehicle than during driving of the vehicle, among components of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jung Min Seo
  • Patent number: 11279241
    Abstract: A multi-motor switching system and method for obtaining a global optimization of performance criteria that takes into account variables and conditions across an entire driving cycle. The controller of the system is adapted to conduct a global optimization in that it determines the most optimal distribution of motor loads over an entire trip or driving cycle, as opposed to sequentially determining the optimized solution for a given point of time and localized set of current condition. In one embodiment where the control system provides for global optimization, the controller receives trip information through a trip planning tool. The controller utilizes the trip information to generate a driving cycle and further incorporates this information into the optimization process performed by the controller to determine the optimal solution for the entire trip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: SYSTEM73 LTD
    Inventors: William Erbey, Doron Paz, Duo Zhang, Mattias Bergstrom
  • Patent number: 11279255
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed at an apparatus for an active converter dolly for use in a tractor-trailer configuration. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a system to connect a first trailer towed behind a towing vehicle to a second trailer. The apparatus further includes a kinetic energy recovery device for translating the mechanical motions or actions of the dolly into electricity or electrical energy so that this energy can be used to charge a battery or to power other functionality for either the dolly or the tractor-trailer. The active dolly may also operate to assist in shunting the tractor-trailer. The active dolly is operable in a number of modes to increase vehicle performance and efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: ISABREM LTD.
    Inventors: Brian Layfield, Amir Khajepour, Brian Fan, John Loewen
  • Patent number: 11273717
    Abstract: An open cabin vehicle is equipped with a fuel cell unit having a hydrogen tank for storing hydrogen to be used as fuel and has a simple structure. An upper end of each of a hydrogen tank, a fuel cell stack, and a hydrogen supply pipe is located farther upward than a floor in a state in which the hydrogen tank, the fuel cell stack, and the hydrogen supply pipe are disposed in a fuel-cell-unit arrangement space which is provided below a space being present farther backward than at least a part of the floor in a vehicle-body inner space, and which borders the vehicle-body inner space, thereby being connected to a vehicle-body outer space which is a space around the open cabin vehicle, via the vehicle-body inner space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mutsuaki Miyaki, Dai Sudou
  • Patent number: 11277047
    Abstract: A busbar apparatus includes a busbar to be connected to an external device, and a holder to hold the busbar and made of an insulating material. The busbar includes a terminal portion to be connected to the external device, an intermediate portion continuous with the terminal portion, and a connection portion continuous with the intermediate portion. The intermediate portion includes an edge portion including portions extending along a first axis. The terminal portion extends from the edge portion. The connection portion extends from the edge portion away from the terminal portion. The terminal portion has a thickness direction extending along a second axis not parallel to the first axis. The connection portion has a thickness direction not parallel to the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shunsuke Murakami, Tatsuya Onishi
  • Patent number: 11260742
    Abstract: One axle of a hybrid vehicle is powered by an electric motor while a second axle of the vehicle is powered by a powertrain that includes an internal combustion engine. The electrically driven axle can be controlled in a speed control mode or in a torque control mode based on a driver demanded torque. The speed control mode is used when slip is detected at the electrically driven axle. The torque control mode is used when the electrically driven axle has traction. During a transition between these modes, the rate of change of torque is controlled to a predetermined level to mitigate noise, vibration, and harshness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jose Velazquez Alcantar, Joe Jay Torres, Peter James Barrette, Richard David Bruns, Corwin Stout, Rajit Johri
  • Patent number: 11258128
    Abstract: This disclosure details reinforcement assemblies and associated methods for reinforcing a battery pack of an electrified vehicle. An exemplary battery pack may include a battery internal component (e.g., a battery array), an enclosure assembly for housing the battery internal component, and a reinforcement assembly secured to the enclosure assembly. The reinforcement assembly may include a beam and a bracket secured to the beam. The reinforcement assembly may be positioned at expected high impact load locations of the enclosure assembly and is configured for absorbing and transferring energy during vehicle impact loading events, thereby minimizing transfer of the impact loads inside the battery pack where relatively sensitive battery internal components are housed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Shamsuddin A. Syed, Ihab Grace, Mumtaz Hussain, David J. Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 11254221
    Abstract: Components for generating power using some mechanical gears combined with electric components are wired to generate electricity to power electric vehicles, including a 3-phase alternator, a combination of transformers, an extended shaft in union with the main shaft of the starter motor, a system of pulleys, and a rotating belt. Using a pattern of engineering to assemble these apparatuses and combining these tools with a source of electricity generate a high voltage of electricity that passes through wires that is decreased to a low voltage enables low current to be used to operate electric vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventor: Hyiamang Safo Odoom
  • Patent number: 11247563
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a vehicle transmission are provided. In one example, a vehicle transmission system is provided that includes a first planetary gear set rotationally coupled to a second planetary gear set, a first electrical machine rotationally coupled to a sun gear in the first planetary gear set, and a second electrical machine rotationally coupled to a sun gear in the second planetary gear set. The transmission system also includes an inter-axle differential including a third planetary gear set rotationally coupled to a first axle and a second axle and selectively rotationally coupled to the first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set, wherein the inter-axle differential is configured to selectively enable and disable speed differentiation between the first and the second axles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Dana Belgium N.V.
    Inventors: Joachim Van Dingenen, Jessica Versini, Marc Van Tomme, Bert Hannon
  • Patent number: 11247557
    Abstract: A working vehicle includes a PTO shaft to transmit power of a propulsion shaft, a PTO clutch including a first rotor to be rotated by the power of the propulsion shaft, a second rotor to transmit the power to the PTO shaft, a press to be moved by a pressure of operation fluid between an engaging side on which the first rotor is engaged with the second rotor and a disengaging side, and a PTO brake to brake the PTO shaft when the press is positioned on the disengaging side, a control valve to control the pressure of the operation fluid to be applied to the PTO clutch, a rate setter to set a reducing rate at which the pressure of the operation fluid is reduced, and a controller to control the control valve based on the reducing rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hitoshi Azuma, Tetsuo Yamaguchi, Shinji Ohara, Yoshihiko Kuroshita, Michita Kono
  • Patent number: 11247659
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus is applied to a vehicle so as to control driving of an electric motor of the vehicle. The vehicle control apparatus includes: a frequency calculation unit configured to calculate an engine pulsation frequency; a damping control content switching unit configured to switch a damping control content; a gain calculation unit configured to calculate a gain, used for a torque command for driving the electric motor; a torque calculation unit configured to calculate the torque command by multiplying the calculated gain by at least one of a torsion torque reduction component and a motor torque reduction component; a command torque determination unit configured to determine a damping control torque command; and a drive control unit configured to control the driving of the electric motor based on the damping control torque command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takatomo Asai, Hirotaka Mizuguchi
  • Patent number: 11235748
    Abstract: A battery control system includes first and second batteries each including first and second terminals configured to output a first voltage, third and fourth terminals configured to output a second voltage, a plurality of individually housed batteries, and a plurality of switches configured to connect ones of the individually housed batteries to and from ones of the first, second, third, and fourth terminals. A control module is configured to selectively provide the first voltage from either one of the first battery and the second battery to a first set of loads and selectively provide the second voltage from either one of the first battery and the second battery to a second set of loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Dave G. Rich, Lyall K. Winger, Saad Hasan, Gary W. Gantt, Jr., Mahmoud Abd Elhamid
  • Patent number: 11235716
    Abstract: A moveable seat control apparatus with an automatically chargeable battery, may include a seat including a moving motor engaged to the seat and configured to selectively move the seat along a rail, a battery positioned below the seat, and configured to receive power to perform charge, and to supply the charged power, a controller positioned below the seat and connected to the battery, and configured to monitor a state of charge (SOC) value of the battery to generate SOC information, and to control the moving motor to move the seat to a charge position when the SOC is equal to or less than a predetermined SOC, and a charger connected to the battery and coupled to a power supply terminal to receive the power and to charge the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Daechang Seat Co., Ltd-Dongtan
    Inventors: So Young Yoo, Hyo Cheol Kang, Doo Ri Kim, Hyung Jin Park, Yo Han Kim, Sung Hyun Hwang, Seon Chae Na, Sang Uk Yu, Dong Hoon Lee, Byung Yong Choi, Sang Young Park, Tae Hong Han
  • Patent number: 11234875
    Abstract: A wheelchair suspension includes a frame, a drive assembly pivot arm, a drive assembly, a front caster pivot arm, a front caster, and a spring and shock absorbing assembly. The drive assembly pivot arm is pivotally connected to the frame. The drive assembly includes a drive wheel and is mounted to the drive assembly pivot arm. The front caster pivot arm is pivotally mounted to the frame and coupled to the drive assembly pivot arm. The front caster is coupled to the at least one front caster pivot arm. The spring and shock absorbing assembly is pivotally connected to the drive assembly pivot arm at a first pivotal connection and pivotally connected to the front caster pivot arm at a second pivotal connection. The first and second pivotal connections are positioned such that a majority of the force applied by the spring and shock absorbing assembly is applied to the drive wheel when the suspension is on a flat, horizontal support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: INVACARE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Bekoscke, Kevin Burns
  • Patent number: 11230321
    Abstract: A body of a vehicle equipped with a high-voltage battery is disclosed. The vehicle body includes a rear cross member mounted below the rear side of the front seat so as to be oriented in the lateral direction of the vehicle body, a front cross member mounted in front of the rear cross member so as to be oriented in the lateral direction of the vehicle body, a high-voltage battery mounted between the front cross member and the rear cross member, and a plurality of longitudinal support members mounted to support the bottom of the high-voltage battery and to connect the front cross member and the rear cross member to each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Se Hoon Jung, Ki Bong Park, Young Tae Yang, Jun Seok Choi, Min Gyu Park, Ji Ho Choi, Byung Su Kim, Hyo Seop Cha, Hyeon Su Jin, Dong Su Yang, Jin Won Kim
  • Patent number: 11220307
    Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a frame, a wheel coupled to the frame, and a battery assembly including a housing supported by the frame. The housing includes a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side. A drive assembly of the electric vehicle is at least partially enclosed within a drive housing unit. The drive assembly includes a motor configured to receive power from the battery assembly and a gear assembly configured to transmit torque from the motor to the wheel. The drive housing unit is positioned below the bottom side of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, LLC
    Inventors: David Isaac Aunkst, Samuel Nicholas Reitinger, Eric James Klumpp, Ronald Hurth, Ben Matthew Lund
  • Patent number: 11214118
    Abstract: A method of power demand management is provided. The method includes an electrically powered climate control unit (CCU) detecting one or more additional electrically powered CCUs in a vicinity of the electrically powered CCU and the CCU establishing a communication link with the one or more additional electrically powered CCUs. The method includes generating and transmitting a pending power request to demand power from the power source to the CCU. The CCU monitors for one or more additional pending power requests from the one or more additional CCUs and monitors its position within a power request queue for obtaining power from the power source amongst the CCU and the one or more additional CCUs. Also, the method includes the electrically powered CCU demanding power from the power source when its position within the power request queue is high enough to demand power from the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Srnec, Philip Lewis Lavrich, Eckardt Augenstein, Matthias Gorski, Ryan Wayne Schumacher
  • Patent number: 11207991
    Abstract: A vehicle charging system includes a battery bank including at least one repurposed battery and a charging station in electrical communication with the battery bank and configured to deliver a DC output from the battery bank to an electrified vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Theodore James Miller, Renata Michaela Arsenault, Hadi Malek, Stephanie Janczak
  • Patent number: 11211656
    Abstract: A battery tray for an electric vehicle includes a battery support structure that has a floor and a perimeter wall extending around a peripheral portion of the floor to border a battery containment area. A plurality of cross members are coupled with the perimeter wall at opposing sides of the battery support structure, where the cross members extend laterally across the battery containment area. A cover is engaged with an upper portion of the perimeter wall of the battery support structure. The cover, the floor, and/or the cross members may include a retention element that is integrally formed therewith and that is configured to engage a component that is disposed in the battery containment area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Shape Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph Robert Matecki, Mark Charles Stephens, Jeffrey McHenry, Matthew Kuipers
  • Patent number: 11208089
    Abstract: A drive-force control apparatus for a vehicle including a first drive apparatus for driving a first pair of wheels and a second drive apparatus for driving a second pair of wheels. Each of the first pair of wheels is one of front and rear wheels of the vehicle, and each of the second pair of wheels is the other of the front and rear wheels. During running of the vehicle on a wave-like road, the control apparatus reduces a drive-force share ratio of one of the first and second drive apparatuses, and to increases a drive-force share ratio of the other of the first and second drive apparatuses, wherein the one of the first and second drive apparatuses includes a weakest part that is to be damaged the most easily among parts composing the first and second drive apparatuses, by resonance caused by the running on the wave-like road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinya Kitai
  • Patent number: 11192509
    Abstract: A wire harness including: a plurality of wires each including a core wire and an insulative covering that covers an outer periphery of the core wire; a plurality of protective tubes into which the plurality of wires are respectively inserted, and which are each formed independently; and a fixing member that gathers together and fixes the plurality of protective tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignees: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LIMITED, SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Yuichi Kimoto
  • Patent number: 11192468
    Abstract: A method of prompting an operator of an electric vehicle for pre-conditioning the electric vehicle comprises monitoring a location of the electric vehicle, monitoring the temperature of an electric propulsion system within the electric vehicle, accessing historical data of driving patterns for the electric vehicle, monitoring the location of the operator of the electric vehicle, identifying a condition that indicates imminent usage of the electric vehicle based on the location of the vehicle, the location of the operator of the electric vehicle, and the historical data of driving patterns for the electric vehicle, comparing the temperature of the electric propulsion system of the electric vehicle to a pre-determined preferred operating temperature, and sending a prompt to the operator of the electric vehicle suggesting that pre-conditioning of the electric vehicle may be appropriate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Charles J. Kritzmacher, Adam M. Piper, Bryan N. Roos
  • Patent number: 11186159
    Abstract: A method for integrating a high-voltage accumulator having at least one accumulator module into a support structure of a motor vehicle, wherein the following is performed: providing a housing part, which has a base plate and a frame-like edge extending around the base plate; arranging the at least one accumulator module on the housing part and/or on the support structure; arranging the edge of the housing part below and on a frame structure formed of supports of the support structure; and fastening the housing part to the support structure. An accumulator housing for the at least one accumulator module is thus formed. A housing interior of the accumulator housing is delimited by a bottom part of the support structure, which bottom part covers the frame structure toward a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, and by the housing part and the frame structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ramil Bikmukhametov, Andreas Burja, Richard Eiletz, Martin Eis, Thomas Herrmann, Herwig Kerstan, Robert Loch, Siegfried Massun, Marcus Raepple, Christoph Warkotsch
  • Patent number: 11183728
    Abstract: A battery case of an electric vehicle includes a drain hole for discharging water in the interior to the outside and a water detection device disposed in the vicinity of the drain hole. At least part of an upper face of a case bottom wall of the battery case is inclined downward toward the drain hole. Accordingly, not only is it possible to mold the downward inclination of the upper face of the case bottom wall of the battery case easily at the time of die casting without increasing the number of components, but it is also possible to guide water that has entered the interior of the battery case smoothly toward the drain hole, detect it reliably by the water detection device, and discharge it quickly via the drain hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Itsuki Shimazaki, Yohei Azuma, Shoshi Hidaka
  • Patent number: 11173792
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a circulation charging system for an electric vehicle, including: a first motor configured to be rotated by a predetermined driving current and provide driving force to an engine; a second motor having a generator; a main battery and a spare battery configured to be charged based on a voltage output from the generator and alternately supply driving power required for driving the first motor; a central storage unit configured to be charged based on the voltage output from the generator and provide a driving force for driving the second motor; a second auxiliary storage unit configured to be charged based on the voltage output from the generator; and a switching controller configured to perform control so that the battery power of the main battery and the battery power of the spare battery are alternately supplied as the driving power of the first motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Inventor: Sung Gyu Park
  • Patent number: 11173913
    Abstract: Techniques for managing wheel slip in a through-the-road hybrid vehicle comprise detecting a front wheel slip event based on measured rotational speeds of front wheels, determining a likelihood of a subsequent rear wheel slip event, when the front wheel slip event has ended and the likelihood of the subsequent rear wheel slip event satisfies a calibratable threshold, adjusting a front/rear axle torque split and pre-loading at least one of an engine and a belt-driven starter generator (BSG) unit coupled to a crankshaft of the engine to compensate for a torque drop that is predicted to occur during the rear wheel slip event, and re-adjusting the front/rear axle torque split and pre-unloading at least one of the engine and the BSG unit such that a drop in torque output at a front axle aligns with an end of the rear wheel slip event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Konstantinos Siokos, Sandeep Makam, Yang Liang, Jiamu Hu, Lurun Zhong
  • Patent number: 11169555
    Abstract: A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices. To charge, the machines employ electrical current from an external source. As demand at individual collection, charging and distribution machines increases or decreases relative to other collection, charging and distribution machines, a distribution management system initiates redistribution of portable electrical energy storage devices from one collection, charging and distribution machine to another collection, charging and distribution machine in an expeditious manner. Also, redeemable incentives are offered to users to return or exchange their portable electrical energy storage devices at selected collection, charging and distribution machines within the network to effect the redistribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Gogoro Inc.
    Inventors: Hok-Sum Horace Luke, Matthew Whiting Taylor
  • Patent number: 11162379
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine including: a tail cone; a low pressure compressor; a low pressure turbine; a low speed spool interconnecting the low pressure compressor and the low pressure turbine; and an electric generator located within the tail cone, the electric generator being operably connected to the low speed spool; a structural support housing at least partially enclosing the electric generator, the structural support housing being located within the tail cone; and a temperature control device located within the tail cone between the structural support housing and the tail cone, wherein the temperature control device is in thermal communication with at least one of the structural support housing and the tail cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Todd A. Spierling
  • Patent number: 11159026
    Abstract: A sub battery for easily charging includes: a battery body including a first surface facing toward a first direction and a second surface facing toward a second direction opposite the first direction, and an opening formed on at least a portion between the first and second surfaces; a holder having a charging connector cable attachably and detachably fixed thereto, and movably disposed in the opening; and a locking device mounted between the holder and the battery body to fix the holder to the battery body in a closed state, and to unlock the holder according to a movement of the holder by a first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin Wook Kim
  • Patent number: 11148728
    Abstract: A floor cross member includes an extension portion at a front flange. The extension portion is bent at the front end of the front flange, and extends downward to the front side so that the front end of the extension portion is connected to the front floor panel. The reinforcement member is provided for the extension portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Saeki
  • Patent number: 11152654
    Abstract: The present application discloses a battery pack including a first battery and a second battery arranged in a stack, the second battery being closer to a center of the battery pack than the first battery in a stacking direction of the first battery and the second battery, wherein the first battery includes a first thermally conductive component and a first electrode assembly, the second battery includes a second thermally conductive component and a second electrode assembly, and a thermal conductivity of the second thermally conductive component is not lower than that of the first thermally conductive component. The battery pack provided by the present application may achieve temperature uniformity while keeping the overall temperature of the battery pack low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Dongguan Poweramp Technology Limited
    Inventors: Yi Li, Xiaoming Chen
  • Patent number: 11148644
    Abstract: Disclosed is a battery swapping system, comprising a battery swapping device, a signal transmission unit, a position sensor, and a detection section. The battery swapping device comprises a master control unit and a battery pack disassembly and assembly unit. The battery pack disassembly and assembly unit is used for clamping the battery pack, the master control unit is used for controlling the battery pack disassembly and assembly unit to move along a preset path. The position sensor is used for generating a stopping instruction upon sensing of the detection section, sending the stopping instruction to the master control unit which is used for stopping moving the battery pack disassembly and assembly unit according to the stopping instruction. According to the present invention, whether a battery pack is mounted in place can be accurately detected, the accuracy and safety of battery pack swapping is ensured and the costs are low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignees: SHANGHAI DIANBA NEW ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., AULTON NEW ENERGY AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY GROUP
    Inventors: Jianping Zhang, Chunhua Huang, Zhihao Chen, Weichun Huang