With Motor In Or Moveable With Wheel Patents (Class 180/65.51)
  • Patent number: 11945505
    Abstract: A land vehicle includes a frame structure, a plurality of wheels, and an impact management system. The frame structure includes an operator cage that at least partially defines an operator cabin and a rear compartment positioned rearward of the operator cage in a longitudinal direction. The frame structure includes a pair of rails that each extends in the longitudinal direction from a first end arranged adjacent a pair of front wheels to a second end arranged adjacent a pair of rear wheels. The plurality of wheels are supported by the frame structure. The plurality of wheels includes the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels. The pair of front wheels are positioned forward of the pair of rear wheels in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Willison, Donald L. Wires, Gary Cain
  • Patent number: 11912084
    Abstract: [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a wheel deformation mechanism and a structure of a vehicular shock-absorbing device using the mechanism. [Technical Problem] In the conventional suspension device, there are problems that a vibration damping effect for an in-wheel motor vehicle is too low to alleviate an impact on the wheel and that a mounting space is required on the vehicle body side. There is a problem that since the conventional tire is poor in ability to absorb distortion of a contact patch caused by turning, the contact patch of the wheel is subjected to horizontal friction at the time of direction change. [Solution] An expansion and contraction mechanism as shown in FIG. 1 that connects two rotors and a band-shaped tread by a movable arm is incorporated in a wheel, [Main Use of Invention] The vehicle wheel is expanded and contracted by a rotation speed difference between the two rotors so as to control the posture of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventor: Shigeki Tada
  • Patent number: 11744765
    Abstract: A standing training mobile device for carrying a patient to perform active-assisted upright locomotion is provided. The standing training mobile device includes a base, a mobile module, a lifting module, a control module, and a support module. The mobile module and the lifting module are disposed on the base. The control module is disposed on the lifting module and is coupled to the mobile module. The control module includes a manipulation platform and two control assemblies disposed on the manipulation platform for use of the patient. The support module includes a support frame, a first support assembly, a second support assembly, and a third support assembly. The first support assembly, the second support assembly, and the third support assembly are slidably disposed on the support frame respectively. The second support assembly is disposed between the first support assembly and the third support assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignees: CHANG GUNG UNIVERSITY, NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Wen-Yu Liu, Hen-Yu Lien, Chung-Hsien Kuo, Yang-Hua Lin
  • Patent number: 11634189
    Abstract: Various battery arrangement structures are presented for a saddle-riding type vehicle. An arrangement can be configured to protect a battery from external impact, and can include a pair of left and right rear frames disposed at the rear section of the vehicle with a battery disposed between the pair of left and right rear frames. The pair of left and right rear frames include a pair of left and right first rear frames and a pair of left and right second rear frames. A power unit-supporting portion which swingably supports a power unit is provided at rear portions of the pair of left and right rear extension portions, and the battery is disposed between the pair of left and right second rear frames and above the power unit-supporting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Kobayashi, Katsuyuki Okubo, Akira Kuramochi, Kazuo Tsuji, Toshifumi Shimamura
  • Patent number: 11602951
    Abstract: The rotor of an electric motor unit has a web portion partially enclosing the remainder of the unit and terminating in a circumferentially extending rim. The brake drum defines an engagement surface for drum brake linings, and has an outboard end defining a flange securable to the wheel hub. The brake drum also includes an open inboard end, partly covered over by a dust guard, and a circumferential wall extending between the outboard and inboard ends and surrounding the engagement surface. By way of keys and slots or recesses, a reinforcing ring interlocks the circumferentially extending rim of the web portion and the circumferential brake drum wall. The reinforcing ring is secured to the circumferentially extending rim and to the wall of the brake drum at a location disposed axially between the rim of the web portion and the brake drum lining engagement surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Manouchehr Sabeti, Daniel E. Banks
  • Patent number: 11548337
    Abstract: An in-wheel motor drive device (10) includes: a motor portion (21); a casing (43) housing a rotation transmission path from a motor rotation shaft of the motor portion to a rotating wheel; a suspending bracket (61) including an upper joining seat portion (62) joinable with an upper side suspension member (76) of a suspension device, a lower joining seat portion (64) joinable with a lower side suspension member (71) of the suspension device, and an intermediate portion (63) connecting the upper joining seat portion and the lower joining seat portion, and a fixing means (69) for mounting and fixing the suspending bracket (61) to an outer wall surface of the casing (43).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shiro Tamura, Shinya Taikou
  • Patent number: 11441640
    Abstract: A balanced speed reducer of a dual-ring gear variable-line-speed planetary row includes a dual-ring gear variable-line-speed planetary row, an input end (6), an output end (7), a locking end (8), and auxiliary devices such as bearings. The dual-ring gear planetary row includes a left ring gear (1), a right ring gear (2), and a planet carrier (3). A left planetary gear (4) and a right planetary gear (5) that are connected on each planetary gear shaft have the same rotation speed. The left planetary gear (4) meshes with the left ring gear (1), and the right planetary gear (5) meshes with the right ring gear (2). The number of gear sets is not less than two. A teeth number combination and a number of gear sets are set according to a range specifying parameter and following a principle of matching the teeth number combination with the number of gear sets. A rule for manufacturing and assembling planetary gears is executed. A regulation on gear reference circle radii is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Inventor: Can Luo
  • Patent number: 11433724
    Abstract: A wheel suspension (1) for a wheel (23) of a vehicle, in particular the rear wheel of a utility vehicle, driven by an electric or pneumatic motor (2), having a swing arm (3) which is mounted pivotably around a pivot axis (7) on the vehicle in a first region (4) and is supported on the vehicle in a second region (8), wherein a third region (10) of the swing arm (3) carries a part of the motor (2) which is rotationally fixed in relation to the swing arm (3) in order to transmit a torque to the wheel using a rotating part of the motor (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: ZIEHL-ABEGG AUTOMOTIVE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Natale Cosmo Bifano, Dzmitry Siamenau
  • Patent number: 11428149
    Abstract: A cooling device for an in-wheel motor may include: a cooling circuit configured to form a flow path of oil in an in-wheel motor; an oil tank connected to the cooling circuit, and configured to supply oil to the cooling circuit or store oil from the cooling circuit; a valve installed on a pipeline connecting the cooling circuit to the oil tank, and configured to control movement of oil according to a control signal; and a controller configured to receive a traveling condition of a vehicle and a temperature of the in-wheel motor, and transmit a control signal to control the operation of the valve and adjust the amount of oil flowing through the cooling circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hae Jun Yang
  • Patent number: 11427067
    Abstract: To provide a vehicle drive device capable of efficiently driving a vehicle by using in-wheel motors without falling into the vicious cycle between enhancement of driving via the motors and an increase in vehicle weight. The present invention is a vehicle drive device that uses in-wheel motors to drive a vehicle and includes in-wheel motors (20) that are provided in wheels (2b) of a vehicle (1) and drive wheels, in which the in-wheel motors generate the maximum output power in a high revolutions range equal to or more than a predetermined number of revolutions that is more than zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Isao Toda, Seiyo Hirano, Kei Yonemori, Hideki Sanai
  • Patent number: 11427250
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotary sensor assembly and a rear wheel steering system including the same. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a rotary sensor assembly includes: a rotary sensor subassembly configured to sense a stroke of a driving shaft configured to receive rotating power to move linearly; a sensing guide configured to be moved by receiving a moving force when the driving shaft moves such that the rotary sensor subassembly senses movement of the driving shaft; and fasteners which couple the sensing guide to the driving shaft, wherein the rotary sensor subassembly senses movement of the sensing guide to sense the stroke of the driving shaft when the driving shaft moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Han Sang Chae
  • Patent number: 11411513
    Abstract: A perpetual self-sustained frictionless maglev generator started from an external power or battery source is disclosed. The power from the generator can be remote at each station avoiding vulnerability from terrorist attacks. All automobiles, airplanes, watercraft, and space ships would be self-sustained and not require any fuel unless for emergency backup purposes only. They all can be measured/controlled by GPS on a distance used and charged for that use accordingly on a monthly basis. Nuclear disaster would not be a threat because the government could use this generator to power their apparatus instead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Inventor: Ryan Neil McAlister
  • Patent number: 11381136
    Abstract: A vehicle drive device includes: a first rotary electric machine; a second rotary electric machine that is arranged below the first rotary electric machine; and a case having a rotary electric machine housing portion that houses the first rotary electric machine and the second rotary electric machine. The first rotary electric machine and the second rotary electric machine are cooled by a refrigerant flowing inside the case, and in the rotary electric machine housing portion, a guide portion that prevents the refrigerant, which has cooled the first rotary electric machine, from being applied to the second rotary electric machine is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eiichiro Urabe, Norikazu Kawai
  • Patent number: 11331790
    Abstract: Methods perform one or more dispatched medical logistics operations using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and a dispatch server where the operations are related to a diagnosis kit for treating a patient. The MAM of the bot receives a dispatch command, verifies compatibility of the bot assembly with the dispatched operation(s), receives a diagnosis kit in the CSS, has the MAM autonomously causing the MB to move to a destination location while notifying the authorized delivery recipient for the diagnosis kit of the approaching delivery. With appropriate authentication input received, the MAM coordinates with the CSS to provide access to the kit, monitor unloading of the kit, provide instructional information on use of the kit, and autonomously cause the MB to return to the original location with a return item related to the diagnosis kit with notification to personnel at the medical entity about the return item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: FEDEX CORPORATE SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Ole-Petter Skaaksrud, Frank Mayfield, Daniel Gates
  • Patent number: 11325431
    Abstract: A wireless vehicle data communications device is adapted for mounting on a wheel hub assembly of a vehicle. The vehicle data communications device includes a housing, a microprocessor located inside the housing, a signal transmitting device, and a signal receiving device. A self-generating electrical power supply is located within the housing and functions to supply electrical power to components of the vehicle data communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: ITIRE, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Clyde Lesesky, Samuel Duke Drinkard
  • Patent number: 11299031
    Abstract: A wheel hub motor for an electric vehicle includes eight sector-shaped through holes uniformly distributed in the circumference of a disc brake fixed to a shaft, and magnetic conductive ribs made of a magnetic conductive material arranged between two through holes. A stator core consists of nine square-C-shaped sub stator cores, each sub stator core surrounds two sides of the disc brake (6) and is fixed to a vehicle frame, adjacent sub stator cores are different by 30 degrees in a circumferential direction, a concentrated armature winding is wound around a yoke part at the middle portion of the sub stator core. A permanent magnet is fixed to a surface of an inner side of each sub stator core towards the disc brake, the brake caliper is fixed to the vehicle frame and is located at a position without the stator core in a circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Shandong University of Technology
    Inventor: Zhengqi Shi
  • Patent number: 11279220
    Abstract: A traveling device (11) is provided with an electric motor (16) provided in a vehicle body (2) of a dump truck (1), an output shaft (17) an axial base end of which is connected to the electric motor (16) and which outputs rotation of the electric motor (16), a bottomed hole spline (53) formed in an axial front end of the output shaft (17), and an input shaft (42) which has a shaft spline (54) spline-coupled to the hole spline (53), and inputs the rotation of the output shaft (17) to a reduction gear mechanism (27). The output shaft (17) is provided with an oil reservoir space (55) formed in the innermost part of the hole spline (53), an annular oil groove (56) and an oil path (57) providing communication between the oil reservoir space (55) and the annual oil groove (56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shinichirou Hagihara
  • Patent number: 11273714
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an autonomous mobile robot and a walking method thereof. The autonomous mobile robot includes a machine body, a driving wheel assembly and an obstacle crossing assembly. The driving wheel assembly is rotatably arranged on the machine body through a first rotating shaft. The driving wheel assembly includes a driving wheel. When the driving wheel moves from a first position to a second position relative to the machine body, the obstacle crossing assembly applies a force to the driving wheel assembly to make a change amplitude of positive pressure between the driving wheel and a traveling surface less than or equal to a set threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: ECOVACS ROBOTICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wenjie Cheng, Jie Hou
  • Patent number: 11238739
    Abstract: An apparatus configured to prevent at least one vulnerable road user (VRU) from having an accident including a driver monitoring unit configured to utilize at least one sensor provided in a vehicle to detect a gaze area corresponding to a gaze direction of a driver of the vehicle, a VRU monitoring unit configured to calculate position information including current position and predicted motion information of the VRU existing in a peripheral area of the vehicle, the VRU is detected by using the at least one sensor, a detection unit configured to detect whether the driver is aware of the VRU and whether the VRU is aware of the driver based on a gaze area of the driver and the position information of the VRU, and a warning processing unit configured to output warning information on a dangerous situation to some or all of the driver and the VRU in response to a detection result of the detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas Mackenzie
  • Patent number: 11208095
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicle having a drive shaft, an engagement element, an engine connected to the drive shaft via the engagement element, and an electric motor connected to the drive shaft not via the engagement element includes a control portion adapted to stop the engine after a maintaining period in which the engine is maintained at predetermined rotation speed during travel of the vehicle. The a control portion gradually decreases an engagement volume of the engagement element while gradually increasing a power generation load of the electric motor during the maintaining period to disengage the engagement element, and stops the engine after disengagement of the engagement element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Shimizu, Masayoshi Nakasaki
  • Patent number: 11192604
    Abstract: An electric drive motorcycle (100) is competed with a filter box in the rear portion thereof, without limiting the space available for the batteries, comprises: a front portion comprising one or more front wheels and a handlebar; a rear portion comprising a saddle (101), a shell body arranged below said saddle (101), and a rear wheel arranged below said shell body; an intermediate portion extending as a connection between said front portion and said rear portion; an electric drive unit (8) connected to said rear wheel (105); and a hybrid supply unit supplying said electric drive unit (8), comprising at least a battery unit (115) and a combustion engine (116) actuating an electric generator (120), said combustion engine (116) comprising an exhaust duct (133) with an expansion chamber (134) and a filter box (135) for feeding air to the combustion engine (116), wherein said electric generator (120) is apt to supply said battery unit (115) and/or said electric drive unit, wherein, inside the shell body (107) and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Piaggio & C. S.P.A.
    Inventors: Luca Carmignani, Paolo Capozzella, Jury Cantini, Walter Mariotti
  • Patent number: 11191683
    Abstract: The electric vehicle according to the present invention includes a moving base capable of traveling by electromotive drive, a seat including a seating part having a seating surface and disposed on the moving base, and a back plate used as a seat back corresponding to the seating surface and disposed on the moving base, the seat can move between a seating position with the seating surface facing upward, and a retracting position with the seating part retracted forward from the seating position, the back plate can be moved between a standing-up position located rearward and upward with respect to the seating part of the seat when at the seating position, and a lying-down position located forward of the standing-up position, and the back plate includes a baggage carrier formed on a back surface facing upward when at the lying-down position and allowing baggage to be placed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gopinath Raja, Masayoshi Wada
  • Patent number: 11193567
    Abstract: An actuator assembly is disclosed herein. The assembly includes a motor shaft; support; harmonic drive connected to the motor shaft that includes an output connected to a drive shaft defining a first sun gear; drive mechanism; and actuator arm. The drive mechanism includes a first gear set and a second gear set. The first gear set has a first carrier including a second sun gear. The first carrier supports a first plurality of planetary gears that engage both the first sun gear and a first ring gear rotationally fixed to the support. The second gear set has a second carrier fixed to the support. The second carrier supports a second plurality of planetary gears that engage both the second sun gear and a second ring gear. The actuator arm is connected to the second ring gear such that the actuator arm is rotationally driven by the motor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Andre Vazquez, Craig Hooker
  • Patent number: 11186163
    Abstract: A hub motor assembly includes a hub axle, a hub shell, a motor unit, a cycloidal speed reducer, and a one-way clutch unit. When an output shaft of the motor unit rotates in a first direction about an axial line, a cycloidal wheel of the cycloidal speed reducer is driven to produce an eccentric cycloidal motion relative to the axial line, to thereby drive rotation of the hub shell in the first direction. When the output shaft rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the hub shell is prevented from rotating with the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: PRAXIS INTERNATIONAL PTE. LTD.
    Inventor: Fang-Ling Liu
  • Patent number: 11190071
    Abstract: An outer rotor type motor includes a rotating unit and a fixing unit. The rotating unit includes an inner surrounding wall surrounding a stationary shaft of the fixing unit and an outer surrounding wall surrounding the inner surrounding wall. A spool support is connected to the stationary shaft. Spools are connected to the spool support, surround the stationary shaft and are wound by windings. Outer magnetic members are disposed on the outer surrounding wall. Inner magnetic members are disposed on the inner surrounding wall. When the windings are energized, the inner and outer magnetic members are rotated about the stationary shaft so that the rotating unit is rotated relative to the fixing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventor: Kuo-Tsun Lin
  • Patent number: 11161542
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to reduce noise and vibration in a hybrid hydraulic power steering system are disclosed. A method includes receiving sensor data from sensors of a vehicle and mapping the sensor data to filter coefficients. The method further includes generating a torque demand based on an input of the filter coefficients into a polynomial filter and tuning at least one of a torque assistance or a steering damping of an assisted steering system of the vehicle based on the torque demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Anand Pradip Naik, Bradley G. Hochrein, Timothy Gerard Offerle
  • Patent number: 11117457
    Abstract: An axle drive unit may be employed by an electrically-driven motor vehicle having at least one drive axle. The axle drive unit may include at least one electric motor for generating a drive torque and at least one gearing (or transmission) for transmitting the drive torque to the drive axle. The electric motor and the gearing may form a structural unit. The axle drive unit allows a drive train of a motor vehicle to have the simplest, weight-saving construction possible. To achieve this, power electronics and an electromechanical service brake system may be integrated into the structural unit. The electromechanical service brake system may be configured as an inboard service brake system for transmitting braking power to the drive axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: JHEECO E-DRIVE AG
    Inventor: Philipp Matt
  • Patent number: 11117255
    Abstract: A modular autonomous cart assembly for transporting an item being shipped is described with a sensor-equipped mobility base that carries the item(s), a modular cart handle, a sensor-equipped modular mobile cart autonomy control module detachably attached to the modular handle, all sharing a modular common power and data transport bus. The autonomous controller of the modular control module is programmatically adapted operative to establish a secure connection to a wireless mobile courier node, locate the courier node and the cart assembly, receive sensor data from the base and control module sensors, generate steering and propulsion control commands using the locations and sensor data and send them to a controller on the mobility base so that the assembly can autonomously track and follow the current location of the courier node as the courier node moves and while maintaining a predetermined follow distance from the current location of the courier node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: FEDEX CORPORATE SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Ole-Petter Skaaksrud, Frank Mayfield, Daniel Gates
  • Patent number: 11110982
    Abstract: A bicycle hub unit configured to be stably coupled to a frame of a bicycle includes a hub axle and a rotation restriction member. The hub axle is configured to be coupled to the frame of the bicycle. The rotation restriction member is configured to couple the hub axle to the frame so that rotation relative to the hub axle and the frame is restricted. At least one of the hub axle and the rotation restriction member has a cable guide structure configured to guide a cable, which electrically connects an electric component and an electronic component, in a region including the rotation restriction member in an axial direction parallel to a center longitudinal axis of the hub axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Azusa Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 11104217
    Abstract: The vehicle includes a pair of power control units (PCUs) provided corresponding to each of a pair of in-wheel motors. The pair of PCUs include two PCUs having a common structure. The PCU includes a cuboid housing, an MG terminal provided on a first side surface of the cuboid housing, and a battery terminal provided on a second side surface orthogonal to the first side surface. Each of the pair of power control units is arranged such that each of the MG terminals faces a vehicle width direction in which a corresponding in-wheel motor is located and each of the battery terminals faces a same direction in a vehicle front-rear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaaki Katayama
  • Patent number: 11103394
    Abstract: A power assist apparatus that converts a hand-propelled wheelchair to a motorized wheelchair without use of tools or mounting brackets. The apparatus has a first motorized section and a support assembly associated with one drive wheel of the wheelchair and a second motorized section and a support assembly associated with the other drive wheel. The motorized sections, each having a motor and a wheel, are connected together but operate independently. Each support assembly has an outrigger assembly with outwardly extending arms that support the drive wheels above the surface to be traversed. The apparatus has a control mechanism controlling the motors and a positioning sensor mechanism determining movement of the outrigger assemblies to transmit positional information to the control mechanism and move the apparatus and wheelchair in the direction indicated by the drive wheels, thereby controlling movement of the apparatus in the same manner as the non-motorized wheelchair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Inventor: Paul C. Dickie
  • Patent number: 11084367
    Abstract: A mobile mining machine includes a plurality of traction elements, a plurality of motors, a power source in electrical communication with the plurality of motors, and an energy storage system in electrical communication with the plurality of motors and the power source. Each of the motors is coupled to an associated one of the plurality of traction elements. Each of the motors is driven by the associated traction element in a first mode, and drives the associated traction element in a second mode. The energy storage system includes a shaft, a rotor secured to the shaft, a stator extending around the rotor, and a flywheel coupled to the shaft for rotation therewith. In the first mode, rotation of the motors causes rotation of the flywheel to store kinetic energy. In the second mode, rotation of the rotor and the flywheel discharges kinetic energy to drive the motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: JOY GLOBAL LONGVIEW OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: William A. Dorsett, James B. Dillinger, Michael John Lyten, Marcus N. Barr, Bradley Maxwell Neilson, Don F. Owings
  • Patent number: 11046178
    Abstract: Proposed is a vehicle safety and electricity generating system which includes a wheel rim; an axle shaft connected with the wheel rim; and a first generator. To prevent rollover and to recharge electricity to batteries as quickly as possible, the vehicle can have an extended body and two more attached wheels, and the system can be installed thereto. The system especially provides a rectifier for boosting 600-690 volt AC to 840-966 DC that is enough to charge electric vehicles for example, GM, Rivian® motor that requires 800-900 volt DC for a quick charger. Therefore, there is no need outside high voltage connections. Further, to reduce a generator's size and weigh about by 50% and increase conductivity, the generator has wires selected from one of a super conducting wire, a carbon CNT wire, graphene cooper composited wire or graphene film wire instead of conventional heavy weight cooper wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: K-TECHNOLOGY USA, INC.
    Inventors: Ki Il Kim, Young Kim, Sarah Duncanson, Paul Kim
  • Patent number: 11026551
    Abstract: An independent suspension system for a robot vacuum cleaner with a hinge component attached to an L-shaped bracket having a horizontal flange portion and a vertical flange portion. The vertical flange portion is attached to a wheel assembly of the robot vacuum cleaner and a spring is coupled to the horizontal flange portion. A pin is attached to and extends from the vertical flange portion. A holding component is within a wheel well of the robot vacuum cleaner and is movable between an engaged configuration with the pin and a disengaged configuration with the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Maidbot, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Supron, Steven Whitehead, David Moroniti, Micah Green
  • Patent number: 11007883
    Abstract: A power supply system includes a first drive motor, a second drive motor, a first power line to which a first inverter and a first battery are connected, a second power line to which a second inverter and a second battery are connected, a voltage converter that converts a voltage between the first power line and the second power line, and an ECU that operates the first and second inverters and the voltage converter and controls charging and discharging of the first and second batteries. In a case where total required power is larger than first outputtable power of the first battery, the ECU discharges a shortage of power from the second battery to the second power line, wherein the shortage of power is obtained by excluding an amount that is output by the first battery from the total required power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Oyama, Yuto Otsuki, Hirokazu Oguma
  • Patent number: 11001136
    Abstract: An alternator system that will recharge a battery or a battery bank of an electric vehicle that uses wheeled axles to propel itself. The alternator system is mounted on the wheel hub of a vehicle using a spacer, a housing that covers the alternator, and a specially designed brake caliper rotation stop that is mounted on the housing that allows the alternator to remain in a fixed position when mounted on the wheel hub of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Inventor: Lissett Diaz Perez
  • Patent number: 10933737
    Abstract: An in-wheel motor drive device includes an electric motor section, a speed reducer section, a wheel bearing section, and a casing. The speed reducer section includes a speed-reduction structure using a parallel shaft gear. The parallel shaft gear includes an input shaft, which is coupled to the electric motor section, an input gear, at least one intermediate shaft including input-side and output-side intermediate gears, an output shaft, which is coupled to the wheel bearing section, and a final output gear. The input, intermediate, and output shafts are supported by rolling bearings to be rotatable. At least two rolling bearings configured to support the intermediate and output shafts on an out-board side and two rolling bearings configured to support the intermediate and output shafts on an in-board side are arranged at positions at which respective bearing widths are prevented from being superimposed with each other in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shiro Tamura, Minoru Suzuki, Shinya Taikou
  • Patent number: 10926791
    Abstract: A vehicle steering assembly and method for steering a vehicle includes an array of electromagnets fixed relative to the vehicle, and a charged plate that is moveable with respect to the array and connected to a wheel that determines the travel direction of the vehicle. When activated, the electromagnets produce a charge that is opposite that of the charged plate, thus attracting the charged plate. The electromagnets are selectively activated to move a centroid of a charged region about the array to thereby move the charged plate in a desired direction. Movement of the charged plate causes a corresponding movement of the wheel to which it is connected. Movement of the wheel thus establishes a travel direction for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Timothy A. Abke
  • Patent number: 10889178
    Abstract: An in-wheel motor drive device includes: a wheel hub bearing portion having an inner ring integrally rotating with a wheel, an outer ring facing the inner ring via a radial gap, and a hub attachment arranged on a more outer diameter side than the outer ring and mounted and fixed to the outer ring; a motor portion driving the inner ring; a casing housing a rotation transmission path from a motor rotation shaft of the motor portion to the inner ring; a suspending bracket having an upper joining seat portion joinable with an upper side suspension member of a suspension device, a lower joining seat portion joinable with a lower side suspension member of the suspension device, and an intermediate portion connecting the upper joining seat portion and the lower joining seat portion; and fixing means for mounting and fixing the suspending bracket to the hub attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shiro Tamura, Shinya Taikou
  • Patent number: 10876584
    Abstract: A wheel module according to an embodiment includes a wheel, a motor, a shaft, a holding member and a brake. A tire is mounted on the wheel. The motor is arranged on the inner side of the wheel and includes a stator and a rotor. The shaft is fixed to the rotor coaxially with a rotation axis of the rotor and transmits rotation force of the rotor to the wheel. The holding member holds the stator. The brake restricts rotation of the shaft. One end portion of the holding member in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the rotor is fixed to and supported by a support member. The brake is on the opposite side to the wheel with the support member interposed therebetween. The shaft extends to an inner portion of the brake while passing through through-holes formed in the one end portion and the supporting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI INC.
    Inventors: Shen Zhao, Hiroyuki Furusaki, Takanobu Koyama
  • Patent number: 10855147
    Abstract: A drive unit for an electrically assisted vehicle includes an electric motor, an electronic circuit board including a control circuit that controls rotation of the electric motor, a holder that covers an entirety or a portion of the electronic circuit board and is fixed to the electronic circuit board, and a housing that accommodates the electric motor, the electronic circuit board, and the holder, such that the electronic circuit board is at a deeper position than the holder. A position of the holder on the electronic circuit board is fixed by tabs. The holder and the electronic circuit board are fixed to the housing by fasteners extending through first holes in the electronic circuit board and second holes in the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomohiro Usami
  • Patent number: 10836247
    Abstract: A vehicle power assist system can be applied to a vehicle with a driven wheel (4) that is mechanically unconnected to a main drive source (5) such as an internal combustion engine. The driven wheel (4) is supported by a wheel support bearing assembly (31) to which a drive assist, motor generator (8) is mounted. A rotor of the motor generator (8) is directly fixed to a rotational ring of the wheel support bearing assembly (31) without interposition of a speed reducing mechanism or a speed increasing mechanism. The vehicle power assist system includes a power storage unit (19) configured to store a regenerative power generated by the motor generator (8) and to supply the stored power to the motor generator (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuo Kawamura, Kentaro Nishikawa, Tomomi Ishikawa, Yasuyuki Fujita
  • Patent number: 10829308
    Abstract: Radial conveyors and undercarriages therefor are disclosed. Some embodiments include a wheel assembly with transport and operational configurations. In some embodiments, a wheel of the wheel assembly is selectively aligned with a tail pivot of the radial conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Superior Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Lafe Grimm, Tyler Hein
  • Patent number: 10821824
    Abstract: An in-wheel motor drive device speed reducer includes an input shaft coupled to a motor rotating shaft. an output shaft coupled to a wheel hub and parallel to the input shaft, and one or more intermediate shafts parallel to the input shaft and the output shaft. An input gear coupled to the input shaft, a plurality of intermediate gears coupled to the intermediate shafts, and an output gear coupled to the output shaft mesh with each other and configure a drive transmission path leading to the output gear from the input gear through the plurality of intermediate gears. When viewed axially using the intermediate shaft, axes of the output shaft, the at least one intermediate shaft, and the input shaft are arranged in this order in the vehicle front-to-rear direction. The axis of the at least one intermediate shaft is disposed above the axes of the output and input shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shiro Tamura, Shinya Taikou
  • Patent number: 10806138
    Abstract: A coupling apparatus for connecting an accessory to a rear of an ATV. The coupling apparatus includes a first support member configured to connect to the rear of the ATV, a second support member configured to connect to the accessory, and a coupling member configured to connect the first support member to the second support member. Finally, a shock is connected between the coupling member and the second support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Inventors: Phillip R. C. Latham, Michael Clark
  • Patent number: 10800485
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a battery-integrated driver for an electric bicycle, and more specifically, related to a driver capable of changing an ordinary bicycle to an electric bicycle. The driver is installed in a hub on the back of a general bicycle and can be housed inside the hub without an external power connection. Thus, a user can easily assemble an electric bicycle and use it conveniently. The battery-integrated driver includes: a wheel hub (H); a rear side chain support (C) and a saddle support (S) of a bicycle which are coupled to each other at the wheel hub (H); a hub (30) provided in the wheel hub (H) and coupled to a wheel rim through spokes, wherein a tire is installed on the wheel rim; a driver (A) provided in the hub (30) and including an electric motor (660), wherein the electric motor (660) supplies electric power to rotate a wheel; and a battery provided in the driver (A) in a detachable manner and driving the electric motor (660).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: H&E CO., LTD
    Inventors: Gyu Chang Kim, Do Hwan Lee, Mun Hyeon Kim, Yeong Il Yu, Nak Hyeon Kwon
  • Patent number: 10792967
    Abstract: An in-wheel motor drive device includes a wheel hub bearing unit and a speed reduction unit that decelerates rotation of a motor unit and transmits decelerated rotation to a wheel. A suspension bracket has an upper connecting seat portion connectable with a suspension device, a lower connecting seat portion connectable with the suspension device, and an intermediate area connecting a vehicle rear part of the upper connecting seat portion and a vehicle rear part of the lower connecting seat portion. A notch is provided between a vehicle front part of the upper connecting seat portion and a vehicle front part of the lower connecting seat portion on a front side of the vehicle of the intermediate area. The suspension bracket is attached/fixed to a casing of the speed reduction unit and/or a fixed wheel such that an axis of the wheel hub bearing unit passes through the notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shiro Tamura, Minoru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10766566
    Abstract: Propulsion unit for an electric, pedal-assisted bicycle comprising an electric machine having a stator and a rotor, rotatable about a motor axis, said rotor being operatively connected to a crank pin, defining a crank axis, mechanically connected to pedals, and coaxial with the motor axis, wherein the rotor is coaxial and external with respect to the stator so as radially enclose the rotor. The propulsion unit comprises at least one electronic unit for operating and controlling the functioning of the electric machine, and at least a pair of housings that define a containment space which houses the electric machine and at least partially the crank pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.p.A
    Inventors: Paolo Capozzella, Luca Carmignani, Luca Nuti, Giorgio Prosperini
  • Patent number: 10765585
    Abstract: A system is disclosed which includes a walking assistance robot for assisting a smooth start of a user's action after standing up from a chair. A system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a walking assistance robot and an automatic elevation chair that moves a seating surface where a user sits. The automatic elevation chair detects a consciousness level of the user and transmits consciousness level information on the detected consciousness level of the user to the walking assistance robot via the network. The walking assistance robot, including a body and a rotor that moves the walking assistance robot, receives the consciousness level information via the network and controls resistance force to rotation of the rotor based on the received consciousness level information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hidetsugu Maekawa
  • Patent number: 10766751
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for a public standard interface including a Battery Management System that allows for communication between an alternative energy source and a material handling vehicle. The alternative energy source may be a Lithium Ion Battery, a fuel cell, or another non-lead acid based battery. The Battery Management System is coupled with a CAN bus that allows for communication between the material handling vehicle and the alternative energy source. The CAN bus communicates information such as a type of the energy source, energy output limits, electric current limits and information such as an energy demand profile of the vehicle. Also included is an interface between the Battery Management System and Charger Control System.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Inventors: John Bryant Kirk, Dean Harvey, Rick Day, Arlan Purdy, Richard C. Miller, III, Brian Moorhead