With Motor In Or Moveable With Wheel Patents (Class 180/65.51)
  • Patent number: 8272464
    Abstract: An automotive drive assembly includes a housing configured to be installed in an automobile, a first electric motor component coupled to the housing, a second electric motor component rotatably coupled to the first electric motor component, the first and second electric motor components jointly including at least one magnet and at least one conductive coil configured such that when current flows through the at least one conductive coil, the second electric motor component rotates relative to the first electric motor component, and a transmission assembly including at least one gear coupled to the second electric motor component such that the rotation of the second electric motor component causes movement of the at least one gear. The second electric motor component and the transmission assembly are coupled to the housing such that the transmission assembly substantially supports the second electric motor component when the housing is installed in the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Reinhart, Kenneth D. Schoch
  • Publication number: 20120228042
    Abstract: A motorized wheelchair includes a frame, a battery support assembly that supports a battery box and is connected to the frame, first and second power drive assemblies disposed on each lateral side of the wheelchair, first and second rear wheels driven by the power drive assemblies, first and second castor wheels driven by the power drive assemblies, and first and second castor wheels that are pivotally connected to said frame. The battery support assembly is pivotally connected to the frame by a first connecting arrangement, so that said battery support assembly can pivot around a first longitudinal axis. The battery support assembly is pivotally connected to the first connecting arrangement by a second connecting arrangement, so that the battery support assembly can pivot around a second lateral axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Invacare International Sàrl
    Inventors: Peter JOST, Ralf RITTER
  • Patent number: 8261866
    Abstract: A wheel assembly with an in-wheel motor in which a wheel driving apparatus formed of a motor or a combination of a motor and a reduction mechanism is provided in a wheel, includes an oil supply apparatus that is driven by rotational output of the motor, and an oil supply flow path that leads oil that has been drawn up by the oil supply apparatus to the wheel driving apparatus. The oil supply apparatus is structured so that oil can be supplied to the wheel driving apparatus via the oil supply flow path when the motor is rotating in the forward direction as well as when the motor is rotating in the reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Ishida, Fumito Kurata, Toshiyuki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8251167
    Abstract: A cooling structure for an in-wheel motor includes an in-wheel motor mounted within a wheel of a vehicle to drive the wheel or to be driven by the wheel, and an oil channel and a fin serving as “heat radiating portions” to facilitate cooling of the in-wheel motor. The in-wheel motor has a case serving as a “housing”. The “heat radiating portion” is located apart from the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Moriguchi, Michitaka Tsuchida, Ryoji Mizutani, Junichiro Sakurai, Yuki Tojima
  • Patent number: 8245804
    Abstract: Electrically motorised bicycle hub with a stationary wheel shaft which rotatingly supports a hub housing, in which is provided a rotor which can rotate around the wheel shaft and which comprises—a first part, parallel to the wheel shaft and carrying a ring of permanent magnets which cooperate with a ring of stator windings, supported by a carrier, and a second part rotatingly supported by the wheel shaft and connected to the first part by means of a transition part, and with furthermore a wheel transmission, driven by this second rotor part and which reduces the rotation speed thereof, the output thereof driving the hub housing, this wheel transmission being accommodated in the space between the stator windings and the wheel shaft. Preferably, the first rotor part is rotatingly supported on one of the hub walls opposite thereto while seals are provided between the cylindrical winding carrier and the parts opposite thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Gear Chain Industrial B.V.
    Inventor: Jacobus Hubertus Maria van Rooij
  • Patent number: 8245803
    Abstract: A wheel assembly with an in-wheel motor, which transmits rotational output of an output shaft of a motor to a wheel via a counter gear, is provided with an oil pump that is driven by rotational output of the counter gear and an oil flow path that leads oil from the oil pump to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Murata, Michitaka Tsuchida, Hiroaki Urano
  • Publication number: 20120181806
    Abstract: A transport means (1) comprising:—at least two wheels (2),—a chassis (3) with a longitudinal axis, which is substantially parallel to a direction of travel of the transport means (1), and—at least one suspension system (4) operationally positioned between the chassis (3) and the wheels (2), wherein each wheel (2) has a wheel rotation axis (5), which is substantially horizontal, wherein the suspension system (4) includes a connection means (22) that interact releasably with a connection means (23) on the chassis (3), and wherein the suspension system (4) has a first orientation, wherein the suspension system (4) has at least one other orientation which is rotated in relation to the first orientation about a suspension rotation axis (6), which is substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chassis (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: ECOMOVE APS
    Inventors: Rasmus Worup, Mikkel Steen Pedersen
  • Publication number: 20120181099
    Abstract: A robot cleaner includes a main body, drive motors provided on the main body, each of the drive motors including a drive rotary shaft, drive wheels rotated by rotary force transmitted from the drive motors, gear units connecting the drive motors and the drive wheels, and wheel cover housings to support the drive wheels so that the drive wheels are pivotally rotated with respect to the main body, and pivot rotary shafts of the drive wheels and drive rotary shafts of the drive motors are coaxial with each other so as to achieve stable movement of the drive wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joo Sung MOON, Yun Sup Hwang, Jeong Gon Song, Myeong Ho Kim, Kyoung Woun Kim
  • Patent number: 8220575
    Abstract: A reluctance machine includes a stator and a rotor. The stator and rotor have a same number of poles. The rotor is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation. Each stator pole is formed of a primary stator pole and an auxiliary stator pole. The auxiliary stator pole is axially aligned with the primary stator pole in the direction of the axis of rotation. Each rotor pole has a length extending in the direction of the axis of rotation sufficient to at least partially cover the primary stator pole and axially aligned auxiliary stator pole. The primary stator poles are actuated with an alternating magnetic field orientation, and the auxiliary stator poles are also actuated with an alternating magnetic field orientation. The field orientations for the primary and auxiliary stator poles are, however, opposite each other such that a primary stator pole its axially aligned auxiliary stator pole have opposite magnetic field orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Everette Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Christopher Dial
  • Patent number: 8220808
    Abstract: The rear suspension of a vehicle may include trailing arms connected by a torsion beam at both sides thereof, an in-wheel motor case attached to an outer lateral side of the trailing arm, a brake caliper fixed to the in-wheel motor case, a shock absorber having a lower end fixed to the in-wheel motor case, and a hub bearing fixed to an outer lateral side of the in-wheel motor case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sangil Kim
  • Patent number: 8220096
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pool cleaning device including an internal drive assembly mounted outside the interior cavity of the device housing. The device including a pool cleaning vehicle, the vehicle including a housing defining a body shell and the body shell including an interior cavity and the pool cleaning vehicle including a drive assembly; and an internal drive assembly, the internal drive assembly including a motor assembly for engaging the vehicle drive assembly for propelling the vehicle, the motor assembly mounted outside the interior of the body shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Goggles Cell Limited
    Inventor: Wing-kin Hui
  • Patent number: 8215430
    Abstract: A wheel end assembly comprises a wheel hub support housing and a wheel hub drive assembly rotatably connected to the wheel hub support housing. The wheel end assembly also includes a hydraulic motor operatively coupled to the wheel hub drive assembly, the hydraulic motor being disposed to deliver a torque to the wheel hub drive assembly. The wheel end assembly further includes a pump, fluidly coupled to the wheel hub drive assembly and the hydraulic motor, the pump being disposed to provide a flow of hydraulic fluid to the wheel hub drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Norval Paul Thomson, Steven Alan Daniel, Daniel Peter Sergison, Avert Glen Vannette
  • Publication number: 20120168239
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self-contained drive system (1) for a vehicle wheel, including a casing (2), accumulators (3) which store and release the energy needed for the self-contained operation of the system, at least one electric motor (4) capable of generating a rotational movement, a controller (5) which manages the control of the electric motor (4) and of the accumulators (3), and a rotational shaft (6) for the self-contained drive system (1). The system is characterized in that the housing (2) directly supports and stands together the accumulators (3), the electric motor(s) (4) and the controller (5), and the system does not include any metal wear parts in (the) mechanical transmission(s) of the rotational movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Florian Gardes, Antoine Juan, Jerome Penigaud
  • Patent number: 8210974
    Abstract: A hub comprises a cylindrical, hollow hub member (2), which is mounted to rotate about its axis and in whose interior is a transmission system having an input (10), which is mounted to rotate about the axis, and an output connected to rotate with the hub member. The transmission system comprises first and second epicyclic gearsets (14, 16). The first gearset (14) comprises a first sun gear (18), which is mounted to rotate about the axis and is in mesh with a plurality of first planet gears (20) mounted to rotate about respective planet shafts (22) carried by a first common carrier (24), which is mounted to rotate about the first axis. The second gearset (16) comprises a second sun gear (28), which is mounted to rotate about the axis and is in mesh with a plurality of second planet gears (30) mounted to rotate about respective planet shafts (32) carried by a second common carrier (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Nexxtdrive Limited
    Inventor: Frank Moeller
  • Patent number: 8210295
    Abstract: An electric wheelchair that enables users suffering from impairment of the lower extremities due to paralysis or weakness caused by aging to manage their daily lives independently for social rehabilitation by allowing them to raise and lower the seat of the wheelchair between squatting and standing positions, to support their body weight at any position by stopping the chair, and to operate the movement of the wheel chair by using their arms or elbows pressed on either the inner or outer surfaces of the armrests even if both hands are occupied or impaired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventor: Yoshisuke Kuramoto
  • Patent number: 8201897
    Abstract: A method for braking an electric utility vehicle including a motor and an electromechanical brake. The method includes storing a value indicative of at least one of an amount of current, voltage, and power that is commanded to a motor of the electric utility vehicle to maintain the electric utility vehicle in a stopped state; engaging a parking brake function of an electromechanical brake after the storing; disabling the motor after the engaging; commanding the at least one of the current, voltage, and power to the motor at the stored value when an accelerator pedal is depressed; and disengaging the parking brake function after the commanding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver A. Bell, Jr., Warren W. Clark
  • Patent number: 8186467
    Abstract: A wheel rotating device (1) for an in-wheel motor vehicle includes a motor (2), a speed reducer (6) coupled to an output part of the motor (2), a hub (4) coupled to an output part of the speed reducer (6), and a spindle (5) fixed relative to a vehicle body and supporting the hub (4) in a manner that permits the hub (4) to rotate. The hub (4) is coupled to a wheel (13) to rotate the wheel (13). A stator (21) of the motor (2) is disposed inwardly in radial directions of the wheel (13) along an inner circumferential surface of the wheel (13). A rotor (22) of the motor (2) is disposed inwardly in radial directions of the stator (21). The speed reducer (6) is disposed between the rotor (22) and the hub (4) with bearings provided between the speed reducer (6) and the hub (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Yoshino, Koichi Oku
  • Patent number: 8172020
    Abstract: A vehicle drivetrain with a wheel and an inside-out motor. The wheel includes a hub and a rim that is disposed about the hub. The rim includes a sealing bead that is configured to sealingly engage the opposite sidewalls of an inflatable tire. The inside-out motor includes a rotor that is at least partially disposed in the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Curt D. Gilmore, Herbert Adams
  • Patent number: 8167061
    Abstract: A cart for moving loads includes a frame supported on wheels, a source of electric power supported on the frame, a drive system including a traction motor connected to the power source for driving a wheel secured to the frame and contacting ground, and a controller for adjusting a rotary direction of the drive wheel in response to selected states of an input to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Scheuerman, William O. Merkle, Stephen C Girard
  • Patent number: 8157036
    Abstract: A breather device provided on the outer peripheral section of a case of an in-wheel motor is located at a position above the rotation shaft of the in-wheel motor, between the in-wheel motor and a wheel. The position is inside the wheel in the width direction of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigekazu Yogo, Ryoji Mizutani, Yuki Tojima, Shuuetsu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8151919
    Abstract: A vehicle-used composite braking/accelerating system is provided. In accordance with the composite braking/accelerating system, a movable motor is provided adjacent to a wheel of the vehicle. The movable motor is electrically connected to a control circuit and a battery. When the vehicle is moving and the moving vehicle is braked to decelerate, in which the driver of the vehicle slightly steps on the braking device, the control circuit instructs the movable motor to execute a generator function and drives the actuator to operate. The movable motor includes a coil member and a magnetic member. When the coil member and the magnetic member are correspondingly positioned and relatively rotated, the movable motor generates electrical energy, and saves the generated electrical energy into the battery. In such a way, the kinetic energy of the moving vehicle is transformed into electrical energy for saving the fuel consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventors: Tien-Li Chen, Ten-Lee Chang
  • Publication number: 20120080252
    Abstract: In an electric bicycle, an assist driving force is generated by a hub unit mounted in a front wheel. The hub unit includes a hub including a hub casing and a lid closing an open end of the hub casing, a motor, and a planetary gear deceleration mechanism which decelerates rotation of the motor and transmits the decelerated rotation to the hub. The motor is located adjacent the hub casing, and the planetary gear deceleration mechanism is located adjacent the lid. A roller braking device is attached to the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicants: SANYO CONSUMER ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masato NISHIMORI
  • Patent number: 8133143
    Abstract: A compact gear reducer electric motor assembly with an internal brake disclosed and claimed wherein a high speed electric motor is interconnected with a gear reducer having substantial gear reduction. The assembly includes a spindle, a brake mounted substantially within said high speed electric motor and operable against a spring biasing said brake into engagement with ground. The brake is electrically actuated to permit transmission of energy to the gear reducer. The gear reducer includes an input, intermediate and output planetary stages. The input and intermediate stages residing within the spindle, and, the output planetary stage drives an output ring gear. Releasing means for releasing the output ring gear from the brake allowing rotation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Fairfield Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin Warren Schoon
  • Patent number: 8132636
    Abstract: An in-wheel motor drive unit (21) comprises a casing (22), a motor part (A), a deceleration part (B), a wheel hub (31), and a wheel hub bearing (33) rotatably supporting the wheel hub (31) with respect to the casing (22). The wheel hub bearing (33) includes first and second outer track surfaces (33a) and (33b) provided on the inner diameter surface of the casing (22), a first inner track surface (33c) provided on the outer diameter surface of a wheel-side rotation member (30) and opposed to the first outer track surface (33a), a second inner track surface (33d) provided on the outer diameter surface of the wheel hub (31) and opposed to the second outer track surface (33b), and a plurality of rolling elements (33e) arranged between the outer track surfaces (33a) and (33b) and the inner track surfaces (33c) and (33d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Minoru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8131413
    Abstract: An electric motor and conversion system includes a direct current power source, a rotor with two sides and two series of permanent magnets alternating in polarity, two stators on opposing sides of the rotor where each stator has a series of winding coils, magnet position identifiers, and a control system comprising a sensor that cooperates with the magnet position identifiers and a microcontroller to individually controls winding drivers. Preferably, the number of magnets on the rotor does not equal the number of winding coils on the stators. Also preferably, the magnet position identifiers are a series of apertures on the rotor through which signals pass. The conversion system can also include connectors for connecting to an axle, a removable throttle, and electric cables for electrically connecting the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Max Power Motors, LLC
    Inventor: Max Yuan
  • Patent number: 8122987
    Abstract: A vehicle including a wheel assembly with an in-wheel motor that reduces the rate of output of the in-wheel motor using a reduction mechanism, which includes a counter gear mechanism and a planetary gear set, and drives a wheel and is structured such that the directionality of a helix angle of a helical gear of a counter gear mechanism in a left wheel is opposite the directionality of a helix angle of a helical gear of the counter gear mechanism in a right wheel, and the directionality of the helix angle of a helical gear of the planetary gear set in the left wheel is the same as the directionality of the helix angle of a helical gear of the planetary gear set in the right wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Murata, Michitaka Tsuchida
  • Publication number: 20120024610
    Abstract: An electric machine (10;100) comprises a rotor (14a), preferably having permanent magnets (24a,b), although other field generation means are available, and a stator (12). The stator has coils (22) wound on stator bars (16) for interaction with the magnetic field of the rotor across an air gap (26a,b) defined between them. The rotor (14) comprises a housing (54) of a chamber (70) containing refrigerant (82). The rotor housing (54) has heat dissipating fins (96) accessible by the open environment whereby air movement relative to the housing caused at least by rotation of the rotor absorbs heat from the fins. The machine may bean axial flux machine, the coils being wound on bars that are disposed circumferentially spaced around a fixed axle of the machine forming a rotational axis (80) of the rotor. The machine may be a wheel motor for a vehicle, wherein the wheel is mounted directly on the rotor housing (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Tim Woolmer
  • Patent number: 8104557
    Abstract: To enable control the number of revolutions of a wheel with a new structure different from an induction motor and adjust the maximum torque rapidly and accurately. A linear drive travel system includes a metal wheel 20 having a drum rotor and a stator 30 arranged inside the metal wheel 20. The stator 30 includes a plurality of rows of electromagnets 32 arranged in the direction of rotation axis, each row being formed of a plurality of electromagnets 32 arranged along the circumference around a rotary shaft 40. A drum rotor includes a plurality of arc-shaped rotor cores 23 arranged along the circumference around the rotary shaft 40. Control means (control system 80) performs control by allowing electromagnets 32 in some rows to be a magnetization coil of the rotor core and by allowing the electromagnets 32 in other rows to be a rotation coil of the drum motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventors: Sachio Takahashi, Kazuo Fuda
  • Patent number: 8100208
    Abstract: A drive system driving a vehicle wheel at various speeds. The drive system generally includes a transmission assembly configured to drive the vehicle wheel in a forward direction and a motor rotatable in a first direction and a second direction and configured to drive the transmission assembly. The transmission assembly is configured to operate in a first operating mode when the motor is rotating in the first direction to provide at least one first wheel speed in the forward direction. The transmission assembly is configured to operate in a second operating mode when the motor is rotating in the second direction to provide at least one second wheel speed in the forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Brian Jordan
  • Patent number: 8096378
    Abstract: A golf bag vehicle includes a vehicle body and a driving wheel. The vehicle body includes an axle mounting on a lower portion thereof. The driving wheel includes a wheel frame, a motor and a wheel circle. The wheel frame detachably connects to the axle, and has an inner room. The motor mounts inside the inner room, for electrically connecting with a power supply. The wheel circle receives the wheel frame therein, and is rotatable with respect to the wheel frame. The wheel circle connects with the motor, and is driven by the motor, so that the driving wheel forms a self-driven structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kunshan Peak-Cart Golf Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chunlei Xie
  • Publication number: 20120006608
    Abstract: An in-wheel motor drive unit (21) comprises a casing (22), a motor part (A), a deceleration part (B), a wheel hub (31), and a wheel hub bearing (33) rotatably supporting the wheel hub (31) with respect to the casing (22). The wheel hub bearing (33) includes first and second outer track surfaces (33a) and (33b) provided on the inner diameter surface of the casing (22), a first inner track surface (33c) provided on the outer diameter surface of a wheel-side rotation member (30) and opposed to the first outer track surface (33a), a second inner track surface (33d) provided on the outer diameter surface of the wheel hub (31) and opposed to the second outer track surface (33b), and a plurality of rolling elements (33e) arranged between the outer track surfaces (33a) and (33b) and the inner track surfaces (33c) and (33d).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Minoru SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 8091658
    Abstract: A wheel arrangement for a four-wheeled vehicle is comprised of a front wheel, two side wheels and a rear wheel, whereas the rear wheel is connected to the frame of the vehicle by a supporting base enabling the same to be steered freely while having a ground-touching point of the same to be biased from the axis of the supporting base by a distance, and the front wheel can be specified as a driving wheel, a free-rolling steering wheel or just a steering wheel with respect to actual requirement, and the two side wheels can be specified as a driving wheels or free-rolling wheels while enabling the axis of the two side wheels to be aligned to a straight line without sharing a same shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Yu-Yin Peng
  • Patent number: 8090515
    Abstract: Provided is a method for controlling regenerative braking in an electric vehicle, including operating regenerative braking, checking if a data communication using a control area network (CAN) standard is properly made between a regenerative braking torque controller and a hydraulic pressure braking torque controller, and enabling the regenerative braking torque controller and the hydraulic pressure braking torque controller to maintain regenerative braking torque and hydraulic pressure torque at their respective previous levels or to increase regenerative braking torque and/or hydraulic pressure torque until braking ends, when the data communication fails between the regenerative braking torque controller and the hydraulic pressure braking torque controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Gab Bae Jeon, Byeong Cheol Yang
  • Patent number: 8083243
    Abstract: A drive unit vibration damping support for use in an electric motor-driven vehicle combines the following structural features. A subframe construction in which a drive unit is supported in vibration damping fashion on a subframe through a first vibration damping device, and the subframe is supported in vibration damping fashion on a vehicle through a second vibration damping device. A total spring constant of the first vibration damping device in a direction of input of torque reaction force of the drive unit is larger than a total spring constant of the second vibration damping device. An average value of a distance between a torque roll axis of the drive unit and the second vibration damping device is greater than an average value of a distance between the torque roll axis and the first vibration damping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Hamada, Masahiro Ohnishi
  • Publication number: 20110308873
    Abstract: Provided is a throw-type compact reconnaissance robot, which is used for military purposes or counter-terrorism and is capable of ensuring a long operational time as well as drop safety by efficient spatial layout of a battery. The throw-type compact reconnaissance robot includes a cylindrical body (100) with a camera (140), drivers (200) made up of two tires (270) that are disposed on opposite sides of the body (100) and is drivable individually, and battery units (300) supplying power used to operate the robot and disposed in inner spaces of the tires (270) of the drivers (200) on the opposite outermost sides of the robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicants: DUKSAN MECASYS INC., KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Soohyun KIM, Kyung-Soo KIM, Jeehyoung KIM, Wonsuk JUNG, Chulyoung KIM, Yunsic HONG, Hyunsoo PARK, Kyuje YOO
  • Publication number: 20110303471
    Abstract: A bicycle hub comprises a hub axle, a motor case and an integrated motor. The hub axle has a pair of frame attachment ends. The motor case is mounted on the hub axle such that the bicycle frame attachment ends protrude out of opposite axial ends of the motor case. The motor case including a recessed portion that is configured to receive a bicycle frame that is mounted to the bicycle frame attachment ends of the hub axle. The integrated motor is operatively mounted between the hub axle and the motor case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicants: TAIYO YUDEN CO., LTD., SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki URABE, Takahiko HAYASHI, Takafumi SAIKI, Tomofusa ISHIZEKI
  • Publication number: 20110284300
    Abstract: A switched reluctance motor includes an inner stator having a plurality of stator poles with coil windings, the inner stator having a plurality of stator phases, an outer rotor configured to rotate around the inner stator, the outer rotor having a plurality of rotor poles, at least one position sensor configured to detect a position of the outer rotor, and a DC supply configured to sequentially supply current to excite the stator phases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ka Wai Eric Cheng, Xiangdang Xue, Chow Norbert Cheung
  • Publication number: 20110266079
    Abstract: An electric vehicle which is able to be steered by conventional bicycle-style steering, leaning rear steering or a combination of the two is herein described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: ZUUMCRAFT, INC.
    Inventors: Tom Boyd, Rasyad Chung, Greg Grosset, William Lofft, Amish Parashar
  • Publication number: 20110259659
    Abstract: Disclosed are single- and poly-phase transverse and/or commutated flux machines and components thereof, and methods of making and using the same. Exemplary devices, including polyphase devices, may variously be configured with an interior rotor and/or an interior stator. Other exemplary devices, including polyphase devices, may be configured in a slim, stacked, and/or nested configuration. Via use of such polyphase configurations, transverse and/or commutated flux machines can achieve improved performance, efficiency, and/or be sized or otherwise configured for various applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: MOTOR EXCELLENCE, LLC
    Inventors: David G. Calley, Thomas F. Janecek
  • Publication number: 20110259658
    Abstract: A power output device includes a spindle for attaching to a fork of a wheeled vehicle, a housing for attaching to a wheel and rotatably attached onto the spindle, a container disposed in the housing, a stator disposed in container, a rotor rotatably attached to the spindle, a gear attached to the rotor, a gear wheel secured to the container, a number of pinions engaged with the gear and the gear wheel and attached between two plates, an output shaft attached to one of the plates and attached to the container, and a control device having one or more batteries attached to the container, and an electric mechanism for operating the rotor and the gear to rotate relative to the stator and to rotate or drive wheel of the wheeled vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Lin Hsiang Huang, Chia Liang Lin, Tung Ching Lin
  • Patent number: 8037957
    Abstract: A ground connection for a vehicle comprising a wheel (1), a sliding suspension for a wheel carrier relative to a support (10) connected to the vehicle, the suspension comprising a substantially vertical pillar (8) fixed to the wheel carrier, the degree of freedom of suspension of the wheel carrier relative to the support (10) being permitted by the movement of the pillar in the guide means (11) connected to the support, means for driving the wheel by a first rotary electric machine (15) mounted in the wheel, the first electric machine driving the wheel by means of reversible reduction means, the reduction means comprising a ring gear (16) fixed to the wheel and a drive pinion (17) connected to the first machine and defining a reduction ratio between the speed of rotation of the first machine and the speed of rotation of the wheel, the reduction ratio being greater than 10, said ground connection having no mechanical service brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: Daniel Laurent
  • Publication number: 20110247887
    Abstract: A wheel driving apparatus including a cylindrical inner housing (18) supported by a vehicle body via a suspension, a wheel (14) supported by the cylindrical inner housing (18) so that the wheel (14) is rotatable relative to the cylindrical inner housing (18), a motor (40) having a stator (44) attached to the cylindrical inner housing (18) and a rotor (42) attached to the wheel (14), wherein the wheel includes: a main body portion (60); and an outside portion (64) positioned on an outer side of the vehicle body, and the rotor (42) is attached to the main body portion (60).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Murata
  • Patent number: 8033346
    Abstract: A bumper car for driving on a floor of a game arena including a chassis, first and second casters mounted to the chassis, first and second drive wheels mounted to the chassis, wherein the first caster is spring-loaded and the second caster is fixed, and a footwell for receiving feet of a driver of the bumper car, wherein a first distance is defined between a bottom surface of the footwell and the floor, wherein a second distance is defined between a mounting plate of the first caster, and wherein the first distance is less than the second distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Cyber Sport Manufacturing LLC
    Inventor: James J. Kessler
  • Patent number: 8028777
    Abstract: A coaxial two-wheel vehicle with which a rider stably travels without the upper body being swayed left and right in a riding state of the center of gravity being positioned high. The coaxial two-wheel vehicle includes: a step plate for a driver to ride; a vehicle body that supports the step plate to be capable of changing a posture in a roll direction of rotating around a roll axis as the center, when a traveling direction is made the roll axis; a pair of wheels with one wheel disposed on each side of the body on the same axis in the direction orthogonal to the traveling direction of the vehicle body and rotatably supported by the vehicle body; a pair of wheel drive means to drive and rotate the pair of wheels independently; and a handle for directly changing a posture of the step plate or indirectly changing the posture through the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takekazu Kakinuma, Ikuo Yamano, Kunihito Sawai
  • Patent number: 8025117
    Abstract: A power axle for assisting an automotive vehicle in ascending and descending steep slopes and grades includes an electromagnetic motor mounted to one floating axle of the vehicle, a junction box mounted to and electrically connected to the electromagnetic motor, a DC/AC power inverter mounted to the cab interposed between and for electrically interconnecting the vehicle's battery to the electromagnetic motor for powering the motor from the battery and control switches mounted on the dashboard and which include an on/off switch and a speed control dial for regulating and controlling the interaction and engagement of the electromagnetic motor with the floating axle of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Inventors: Lawrence R. Bennett, Sr., Carol L. Bennett
  • Patent number: 8025116
    Abstract: A wheel hub drive with drive motor and drive gear system for industrial trucks, with the following features: driving and output axis of the drive gear system, rotation axis of the wheel and driving axis of the drive motor are disposed coaxially; the drive gear system is a single step or multi step planetary stepping gear system or a two or more step planetary coupler mechanism gear system, two horizontally spaced wheel bearings are located inside the drive gear system, wherein, a first wheel bearing is disposed between a first bearing portion, connected with the wheel hub, and a frame-fixed planet carrier, and a second wheel bearing is disposed between the first bearing portion and a frame-fixed second bearing portion or the frame-fixed planet carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Andreas Rogg
  • Patent number: 8020653
    Abstract: An in-wheel motor includes a rotating electric machine provided at a wheel and applying driving force to the wheel, a housing housing the rotating electric machine and rotatably supporting the wheel, and a vibration damping member provided between the housing and a ball joint as a mounting portion for mounting the housing on a vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryoji Mizutani, Michitaka Tsuchida, Yasuaki Tahara, Atsushi Torii, Yuki Tojima
  • Patent number: 8006789
    Abstract: A reluctance machine includes a stator and a rotor. The stator and rotor have a same number of poles. The rotor is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation. Each stator pole is formed of a primary stator pole and an auxiliary stator pole. The auxiliary stator pole is axially aligned with the primary stator pole in the direction of the axis of rotation. Each rotor pole has a length extending in the direction of the axis of rotation sufficient to at least partially cover the primary stator pole and axially aligned auxiliary stator pole. The primary stator poles are actuated with an alternating magnetic field orientation, and the auxiliary stator poles are also actuated with an alternating magnetic field orientation. The field orientations for the primary and auxiliary stator poles are, however, opposite each other such that a primary stator pole its axially aligned auxiliary stator pole have opposite magnetic field orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Everette Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Christopher Dial
  • Patent number: 8002062
    Abstract: A drive unit includes an engine, a generator, an electric motor and a power distributing device. The engine drives the generator to generate electric power. The electric motor is driven by the electric power generated by the generator and rotates a drive wheel. The power distributing device distributes the drive power generated by the engine between the generator and the drive wheel. A crankshaft of the engine can extend in a transverse direction of the vehicle. The generator, the motor and the power distributing device are disposed on a shaft, which is different from the crankshaft and extends substantially parallel to the crankshaft. The power of the engine and the drive force of the motor are output from a portion of the shaft through the power distributing device and the rotor of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsushi Saitou
  • Patent number: RE43232
    Abstract: An electrically powered vehicle has a motor, controller and power supply contained within a wheel compartment. A cylindrical stator frame is fixed on the wheel axle, with an inner surface of the stator frame defining a space for housing the power supply and controller circuitry. A plurality of electromagnet stator segments are mounted on an outer surface of the stator frame. A cylindrical rotor frame is coupled to the axle through bearings. An inner surface of the rotor frame supports a plurality of permanent magnets that surround the stator segments to form a radial air gap therebetween. Mounted to the outer surface of the rotor frame by appropriate supporting structure is a vehicle tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Matra Manufacturing & Services
    Inventors: Alexander V. Pyntikov, Mark A. Benson