With Gearing Between Electric Motor And Drive Wheel Patents (Class 180/65.6)
  • Patent number: 10668800
    Abstract: A vehicle drive unit to prevent a single phase lock of a motor as a prime mover to limit damage is provided. The drive unit includes: a first transmission route to deliver drive force of an engine to drive wheels; and a second transmission route to deliver drive force of a motor to the drive wheels. The second transmission route comprises an intermediate shaft that transmits the drive force of the motor to the first transmission route. A fluid coupling is disposed between the motor and the intermediate shaft. A lockup clutch is arranged parallel to the fluid coupling between the motor and the intermediate shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya Imamura, Atsushi Tabata, Koichi Okuda, Keita Imai
  • Patent number: 10661680
    Abstract: A utility task vehicle (UTV) includes a frame having frame rails and a battery assembly positioned laterally between the frame rails. The battery assembly includes a battery housing and a battery array having a plurality of battery cells. The battery array is positioned within the battery housing and the battery assembly provides support for or is located under a floor of a cabin of the utility task vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Anthony A. Heaton, Morgan Mackelprang, Kyle Gray, Robert Dane Davis
  • Patent number: 10654369
    Abstract: A power control system may include at least one of batteries, a motor, and a data logic analyzer that can interpret certain variable conditions of a transport, such as a tractor trailer, moving along a road or highway. The data can be used to determine when to apply supplemental power to the wheels of a trailer to reduce fuel usage. One example device may include at least one of: a power creation module that generates electrical power, a battery which store the electrical power, a motor affixed to a trailer axle of a trailer which provides a turning force to the trailer axle when enabled to operate from the stored electrical power of the battery, and a motor controller configured to initiate the motor to operate according to a predefined sensor condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: HYLIION INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Joseph Healy
  • Patent number: 10626972
    Abstract: A gear box having a gear set therein for mounting to the outside of a housing of an axle assembly and connected to the input shaft of the differential of the axle assembly can allow high speed electric motor(s) to connect to the differential via the gear box for driving the axle assembly. The gear box can be mounted using existing bolt hole pattern on the axle assembly housing such as the input cover of the axle head assembly housing the differential. The gear set can be a planetary gear set where the rotor of the electric motor can be rotationally connected to the sun gear and the carrier gear can be connected to the input pinion shaft. In another embodiment an axle assembly having a differential can also have a gear box mounted to the outside of the axle housing and connected to the input pinion shaft to allow use of a high speed electric motor by providing an appropriate gear ratio conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Steven G. Slesinski, Harry W. Trost
  • Patent number: 10615668
    Abstract: A drive motor is provided in which a coil is cooled in a three-dimensional manner. The drive motor includes a coil multi-cooling path through which oil collected by centrifugal force of a rotor flows to an engine clutch from an internal space of a rotor sleeve to be scattered in forward and backward directions of a coil and simultaneously flows to a resolver from an external space of the rotor sleeve to be scattered in the backward direction of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hong-Seok Yang, Myung-Gyu Kim, Hee-Ra Lee
  • Patent number: 10583731
    Abstract: A method for operating a drive device for a motor vehicle, which has an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, and a gearshift transmission. A drive shaft of the internal combustion engine can be coupled by a shift clutch to a motor shaft of the electric motor and the motor shaft is coupled to a transmission input shaft of the gearshift transmission. A driven shaft of the drive device is coupled to or can be coupled to a transmission output shaft of the gearshift transmission. In a first shifting state, the shift clutch is disengaged for decoupling of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor and, in a second shifting state, is engaged for coupling of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Michael Schneider, Henrik Kaartometsä, Bernhard Brückl
  • Patent number: 10555457
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lawn mower robot, including an inner body; an outer cover configured to surround an outer side of the inner body; a plurality of blades rotatably provided on a bottom surface of the inner body to cut grass; casters pivotably installed at both front sides of the inner body, respectively, to be pivotable about a rotation shaft; wheels rotatably mounted at both rear sides of the inner body, respectively; a driving unit configured to drive the wheels; and a sensor unit configured to sense whether or not the caster is lifted from the ground, wherein the sensor unit comprises a drop switch configured to sense the lowering of the caster when the caster is lowered in a state of being floated in the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hyunsup Song, Jaehoon Jeong
  • Patent number: 10543832
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine restart operations occurring during a transmission shift in a hybrid vehicle. Engine speed is controller during cranking and run-up to approach a transmission input shaft speed that is based on the future gear of the transmission shift. Engine speed is controlled via adjustments to spark, throttle, and/or fuel, to expedite engine speed reaching the synchronous speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Steven Yamazaki, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Wei Liang, Rajit Johri, Xiaoyong Wang, Ming Lang Kuang, Scott Thompson, David Oshinsky, Dennis Reed, Adam Banker
  • Patent number: 10538238
    Abstract: A modular rear drive unit for a hybrid vehicle comprises a torque distributing unit, an electric motor-generator, and a gearing arrangement operatively connecting the electric motor-generator with the torque distributing unit. The modular rear drive unit also includes an integrated housing and rear cradle supporting and surrounding the torque distributing unit, the electric motor-generator, and the gearing arrangement. The integrated housing and rear cradle operatively mounts to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Shawn H. Swales, Joel M. Maguire, Goro Tamai, Peter J. Savagian
  • Patent number: 10525816
    Abstract: Provided is a drive unit for a hybrid vehicle which can increase selectable modes in an EV mode. A drive unit includes a first planetary gear unit connected to an engine, and a second planetary gear unit connected to a second rotary element of the first planetary gear unit. The drive unit includes a first engagement device which connects rotary elements of the first planetary gear unit, a third rotary element in the first planetary gear unit, a second engagement device which connects any one of a fifth rotary element and a sixth rotary element in the second planetary gear unit, and a third engagement device which can fix a first rotary element of the first planetary gear unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya Imamura, Hideaki Komada, Takahito Endo, Kensei Hata, Akiko Nishimine
  • Patent number: 10493844
    Abstract: A gearing assembly includes a rotary input member, a rotary output member, and a gearing arrangement between the input member and the output member selectively able to effect a driving engagement between the input member and the output member through at least a first torque connection having a first gear ratio. A second torque connection has a second gear ratio and a third torque connection having a third gear ratio. The gearing arrangement includes a first engagement member operable selectively to effect the first torque connection in a 1:1 ratio, a first planetary gear stage, and a second planetary gear stage. A second engagement member is operable selectively to effect the second torque connection, and a third engagement member operable selectively to effect the third torque connection, respectively, through one or more of the planetary gear stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: QINETIQ LIMITED
    Inventor: Robert William Thompson
  • Patent number: 10454344
    Abstract: A rotating electric machine includes a housing, a rotating shaft rotatably supported by the housing, a rotor fixed on the rotating shaft, a stator and a cooling device. The stator includes a stator core located radially outside the rotor and a stator coil wound on the stator core so as to have a coil end protruding from an axial end face of the stator core. The cooling device is configured to supply cooling liquid to an upper part of the coil end of the stator coil. The housing has a cooling liquid-receiving portion located vertically under the upper part of the coil end of the stator coil so as to receive the cooling liquid falling down from the upper part of the coil end. In a space formed inside the cooling liquid-receiving portion of the housing, there is arranged at least one of an electrical component and a heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10442291
    Abstract: A drive unit a drive unit which can prevent an occurrence of an unintentional relative rotation between the right and the left wheels is provided. The drive unit comprises: a first motor connected to the first driveshaft and a second motor connected to the second drive shaft; a first torque transmitting route between the first motor and the first drive shaft; a second torque transmitting route between the second motor and the second drive shaft; a first rotary member arranged in the first torque transmitting route; a second rotary member arranged in the second torque transmitting route; and a restriction device that restricts a differential rotation between the first rotary member and the second rotary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, ALCHEMICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Isono, Nobuyoshi Sugitani, Aizoh Kubo
  • Patent number: 10442282
    Abstract: A vehicle drive system includes a left-wheel drive unit having a first motor and a first transmission, a right-wheel drive unit having a second motor and a second transmission, and a motor control unit. Each of the first and second transmissions has a first to third rotational elements. The first motor is connected to the first rotational element of the first transmission. The second motor is connected to the first rotational element of the second transmission. The left wheel is connected to the second rotational element of the first transmission. The right wheel is connected to the second rotational element of the second transmission. The third rotational element of the first transmission and the third rotational element of the second transmission are coupled to each other. Each of the first and second transmissions has a fourth rotational element which is supported to revolve around by the second rotational element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sei Shinohara, Masatoshi Noguchi, Satoshi Andou, Makoto Tsuchihashi
  • Patent number: 10439470
    Abstract: A drive system for a motor vehicle with two electric machines, which is provided with a special bearing arrangement of the rotors of the electric machines. The motor vehicle is equipped with such a drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Jörg Hornischer
  • Patent number: 10384535
    Abstract: A drive unit having a downsized brake device for applying a braking force to a drive wheel is provided. The drive unit comprises: a first brake device that applies braking torque to a first rotary member situated closer to a first motor than a first speed reducing device in a first torque transmitting route between the first motor and a first drive shaft; and a second brake device that applies braking torque to a second rotary member situated closer to a second motor than a second speed reducing device in a second torque transmitting route between the second motor and a second drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, ALCHEMICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Isono, Nobuyoshi Sugitani, Aizoh Kubo
  • Patent number: 10377403
    Abstract: A lift-enabled motorized wheel assembly and material handling cart. A drive wheel is supported on an axel between a fixed leg and a floating leg. The axel passes through the fixed leg without interference, but is captured in the floating leg by a self-aligning bearing. The axle is driven by a drive motor that is bolted to the fixed leg through a right-angle gearbox. A vertical suspension unit provides compliance for drive wheel traction. A lifter sub-assembly alternately raises and lowers the drive wheel into and out of contact with the ground. The lift-enabled motorized wheel assembly is attached to the bottom of a cart frame, along with a plurality of caster wheels. The cart includes a tow-bar that is moveable between raised and lowered positions. When the tow-bar is lowered condition for towing, the drive wheel automatically lifts out of contact with the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Caster Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Elmer Lee, Alex Harden
  • Patent number: 10336178
    Abstract: A final drive for a motor vehicle. A drive assembly having a drive shaft, the drive shaft is coupled via a gear stage to an output shaft of the final drive. The drive shaft is coupled to the gear stage via an intermediate shaft that is arranged offset with respect to it. The intermediate shaft is present on a first side of a conceptual plane that incorporates an axis of rotation of the drive shaft, and a power electronics unit is electrically connected to the drive assembly via connection terminals arranged at its front end on a second side of the plane, which lies opposite to the first side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Sebastian Albl, Daniel Laurijssen, Dominik Mohrlock, Sandro Weigelt, Christoph Schmutz, Patrik Frommann, Stefan Hübler, Stefanie Seide, Albert Scharlach, Jürgen Schmitz, Michael Streicher
  • Patent number: 10309507
    Abstract: A transmission (GA) for an axle drive (1) of a motor vehicle includes a drive shaft (AN), two output shafts (AB1, AB2), at least four shafts (W1, W2, W3, W4), a differential, and two interconnected planetary gear sets (PS1, PS2). The drive shaft (AN) is a hollow shaft, and the drive shaft (AN) is coaxial with at least one of the two output shafts (AB1, AB2). The differential (D) is arranged, at least partly, within a cylindrical volume. An outer shell surface of the cylindrical volume is defined by an inner shell surface of a sun gear (SO2) of the second planetary gear set (PS2). A diameter of inner shell surface corresponds to an inner diameter of the sun gear (SO2) of the second planetary gear set (PS2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Stephan Scharr, Alexander Dusdal
  • Patent number: 10272899
    Abstract: The vehicle includes a powertrain having an axle having a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel. A first gearbox may couple a first power source to the first drive wheel, and a second gearbox may independently couple a second power source to the second drive wheel. And, a controller may be configured to initiate a gear shift in the first gearbox and the second gearbox at different times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Simonini, Jarred Vallbracht
  • Patent number: 10239401
    Abstract: An apparatus with an electric motor including a stator and a rotor; a shaft secured to the rotor; a gearing assembly coupled with the shaft; and a housing assembly defining a non-partitioned interior space housing both the electric motor and gearing assembly. The shaft may be unsupported by bearing assemblies and/or free of oil seals and similar sealing engagements between the electric machine and gearing assembly. The motor may be an axial flux motor having a single stator. The gearing assembly may be a planetary reduction gear assembly with a sun gear mounted on the shaft. The apparatus may include only a single electric motor or include a second electric motor and second gearing assembly. The embodiments having a single motor may be used to drive a fan or a vehicle wheel. The embodiments having two motors may be used as a differential drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: AUBURN GEAR, LLC
    Inventor: Isaac D. Branning
  • Patent number: 10112475
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes: a travel unit having a left-right pair of front travel apparatuses and a left-right pair of rear travel apparatuses; an engine capable of driving first travel apparatuses being one of the pair of front travel apparatuses and the pair of rear travel apparatuses; a motor capable of driving second travel apparatuses being the other of the pair of front travel apparatuses and the pair of rear travel apparatuses; and a control apparatus capable of switching between an engine two-wheel drive mode in which only the engine is driven, a motor two-wheel drive mode in which only the motor is driven, and a hybrid four-wheel drive mode in which the engine and the motor are both driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Masatoshi Sakai, Hiroki Bessho, Kazuyuki Tashiro
  • Patent number: 10093326
    Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, includes an undercarriage unit having at least one first wheel set supported on a track and a main body supported on the first wheel set. The main body has a coupling mechanism for mechanically coupling to at least one car body of the vehicle. At least one first driving motor for driving the first wheel set, at least one power supply unit for supplying the driving motor with electrical power and at least one inverter unit are provided. The power supply unit is disposed at least partially in a region of the undercarriage unit in order to permit the undercarriage unit of the assembly to be expanded with regard to the functionalities of the undercarriage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Glinka, Thorsten Stuetzle, Martin Teichmann
  • Patent number: 10093165
    Abstract: A control device of a vehicle including a first differential portion, a second differential portion, and a second rotating machine, the first differential portion including a first rotating element, a second rotating element to which a first rotating machine is coupled in a power transmittable manner, and a third rotating element coupled to drive wheels, the first differential portion having a differential state controlled through control of the operational state of the first rotating machine, the second differential portion including a fourth rotating element to which an engine is coupled in a power transmittable manner, a fifth rotating element, and a sixth rotating element to which the first rotating element is coupled, the second rotating machine being coupled to the drive wheels in a power transmittable manner, the vehicle further including at least one engagement device out of a first engagement device and a second engagement device as well as a third engagement device, the first engagement device coupl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya Imamura, Atsushi Tabata
  • Patent number: 9987177
    Abstract: A wheelchair suspension is provided. The wheelchair suspension includes a frame, a front caster pivot arm, a drive assembly, and a rear caster. The front caster pivot arm is pivotally connected to the frame. The front caster is coupled to a front end of the front caster pivot arm. The drive assembly is pivotally connected to the front caster pivot arm. The drive assembly comprises a drive wheel and a motor that drives the drive wheel. Torquing of the drive wheel by the motor in a forward direction causes the drive assembly to pivot with respect to the front caster pivot arm such that the drive wheel moves forward toward the front caster and a distance between a support surface and the connection between of the drive assembly and the front caster pivot arm increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Gerold Goertzen, William A. Null
  • Patent number: 9988955
    Abstract: A drive unit, method, and control system are provided that warm drive unit fluid in a drive unit having a main pump, a scavenge pump, and an electric motor for powering an axle of a vehicle. The control system and method are configured to fill a main sump of the drive unit with drive unit fluid to a predetermined fill level. In a warm-up mode, the method and control system operate the electric motor to heat the drive unit fluid within the main sump while the vehicle is stationary and the electric motor is at least partially disposed in the drive unit fluid within the main sump. Further in the warm-up mode, the method and control system are configured to operate the scavenge pump to pump the drive unit fluid from the main sump into an auxiliary reservoir after the drive unit fluid has been heated by the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Yujiro Suwa, Robert Benson Parrish, Arthur L Mcgrew
  • Patent number: 9950609
    Abstract: A power generation device capable of achieving reduction in size and compactification, and increasing a change gear ratio is provided. In a power generation device 20 of a vehicle including a front wheel as a drive wheel and a rear wheel 13 as a driven wheel, a gear mechanism 30A as an input side gear mechanism in which a ring-shaped internal gear 37 is disposed coaxially with a sun gear 38 and a plurality of intermediate gears 36 are interposed in a ring-shaped space between the internal gear 37 and the sun gear 38 is fixed to the vehicle via a cylinder member 22 as a support shaft having an axis matched with an axis of a cup-shaped joint 51 as a rotation shaft of the rear wheel 13, the internal gear 37 of the gear mechanism 30A is formed to be integrally rotatable with the rear wheel 13, an output shaft 52 penetrating through the cylinder member 22 is fixed to the sun gear 38, and a power generator 53 is provided at the output shaft 52.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: JHL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiichi Takehana, Toshiichi Takehana, Koji Takehana
  • Patent number: 9925858
    Abstract: The hybrid drive device of the present invention includes a selectable one-way clutch 12 that includes a rotational plate that is capable of receiving the reaction torque of an internal combustion engine and that is provided to a power split mechanism, and that can be changed over between: a locked mode in which, in the state of receiving the reaction torque, positive rotation of the rotational plate is prevented while negative rotation of the rotational plate in the direction opposite to the positive rotation is permitted; and a free mode in which, in the state of receiving the reaction torque, the positive rotation and the negative rotation of the rotational plate are both permitted. And, when misfiring of the internal combustion engine occurs, the selectable one-way clutch is kept in the free mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Itagaki, Naofumi Magarida
  • Patent number: 9873455
    Abstract: A crossmember, in particular the rear crossmember of a motor vehicle, for a multi-link suspension of the wheel, has a respective receiving arrangement for the drive of each of the wheels. The crossmember includes two side members that are connected with one another by way of at least one transverse member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: KSM Castings Group GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Buschjohann, Andreas Kiesel
  • Patent number: 9868349
    Abstract: A product may comprise an electric machine, and may include first and second shafts connectable to the electric machine in torque a transferring relationship. A first clutch assembly may selectively connect the electric machine with the first shaft and a second clutch assembly may selectively connect the electric machine with the second shaft. A gear set may be operatively engageable between the electric machine and the first and second clutch assemblies. An engagement coupling may connect the gear set in a high range between the electric machine and the first and second clutch assemblies, and the engagement coupling may connect the gear set in a low range between electric machine and the first and second clutch assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thaddeus Kopp, Keith Feldt
  • Patent number: 9855964
    Abstract: A stroller frame includes a seat pan, an operating handle movably coupled to the seat pan, and two opposite foldable side frame units each including a front leg, a handle rod, a rear leg that has a top end pivotally connected to the handle rod, a bottom leg that has a lower end pivotally connected to the rear leg, and a sliding basket tube that is movably coupled to said seat pan and slidably connected to said rear leg. To unfold the stroller frame, said operating handle is pushed downward to drive said seat pan to pivot downward so that an angle between said front leg and said bottom leg of each of said side frame units increases until said stroller frame is converted from a folded state to an unfolded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: WONDERLAND SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: Daniel Sack, Curtis Hartenstine, Ryan Miller, Andrew Horst
  • Patent number: 9849772
    Abstract: A vehicular drive device where the damper, the differential gear device, and the first rotary electric machine are disposed side by side on a first axis that is common thereto, the second rotary electric machine is disposed on a second axis that is parallel to the first axis and is different from the first axis, the output device is disposed on a third axis that is parallel to the first axis and is different from the first axis and the second axis, and the first gear mechanism is disposed on a fourth axis that is positioned on a side opposite to the second axis side with respect to a first reference plane that is a plane including both the first axis and the third axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeki Takami, Takahisa Hirano
  • Patent number: 9841092
    Abstract: An electric drive module for transferring torque to wheels of a motor vehicle a planetary gearset having a first member driven by the rotor and a second member. A synchronizer restricts a third member of the planetary gearset from rotation when the electric drive module operates at a first drive ratio. The synchronizer transfers energy from the rotating rotor to the third member during a shift between the first drive ratio and a second drive ratio to match the rotational speeds of the rotor and the second member. A reduction unit includes an input member being driven by the second member and also includes an output member driven at a reduced speed relative to the input member. A differential assembly includes an input driven by the output member, a first differential output driving a first output shaft, and a second differential output driving a second output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN INC.
    Inventors: David W. Wenthen, John R. Forsyth
  • Patent number: 9821647
    Abstract: A motor-vehicle hybrid powertrain unit comprises an internal combustion engine for driving the rear wheels of the motor-vehicle and one or two electric motors for driving the front wheels of the motor-vehicle. The internal combustion engine has an engine block below which there is provided no oil sump. The one or two electric motors are arranged immediately below the block of the internal combustion engine in the space, which in a conventional engine, is occupied by the oil sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: FCA Italy S.P.A.
    Inventors: Bruno Martina, Maurizio Delmonte
  • Patent number: 9821646
    Abstract: A power transmission system may include: an engine power delivery module configured to transmit power of the engine directly to the first motor/generator as driving power for generating electricity and to selectively transmit the power of the engine as driving power for driving the vehicle, and a motor power delivery module disposed in parallel with and independently from the engine power delivery module, and configured to directly transmit power of the second motor/generator as driving power for driving the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Seongwook Ji, Jae Chang Kook, Wonmin Cho, Myeong Hoon Noh, Kangsoo Seo, Seong Wook Hwang
  • Patent number: 9802508
    Abstract: A power control system may include at least one of batteries, a motor, and a data logic analyzer that can interpret certain variable conditions of a transport, such as a tractor trailer, moving along a road or highway. The data can be used to determine when to apply supplemental power to the wheels of a trailer to reduce fuel usage. One example device may include at least one of: a power creation module that generates electrical power, a battery which store the electrical power, a motor affixed to a trailer axle of a trailer which provides a turning force to the trailer axle when enabled to operate from the stored electrical power of the battery, and a motor controller configured to initiate the motor to operate according to a predefined sensor condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: HYLIION INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Joseph Healy
  • Patent number: 9776621
    Abstract: During EV traveling in a CD mode, an electronic control unit determine that an engine is in a state where the engine is likely to be started when an electric power storage ratio SOC of a battery falls short of a threshold Sref, when a battery temperature Tb of the battery falls short of a threshold Tbref, when an output limit Wout of the battery falls short of a threshold Wref, when a temperature Tmg2 of a motor is higher than a threshold Tmg2ref, and when a torque limit Tm2lim of the motor falls short of a threshold Tm2limref. Then, the electronic control unit set a required torque Tr* by using a map for a CS mode in which the required torque Tr* is set to be lower than in a map for the CD mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keita Sato
  • Patent number: 9751401
    Abstract: A torque distribution control system comprises a torsion unit for detecting traction on wheels of a primary driving axle that is continuously engaged with a drive source or a source of torque power. The amount of traction detected is converted to a signal with variable signal strength, the signal strength correlating to the amount of traction detected by the torsion unit. The signal strength capable of being adjusted automatically based on select parameters and/or manually based on a driver's input. And, in response to the signal, actuators engage and control operations of the vehicle such as the drive source, a braking system, and/or an axle clutch, with the level of engagement dependent upon the signal strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Inventor: Stiliyan Tsonev Ganchev
  • Patent number: 9694663
    Abstract: A family of hybrid electric transmission arrangements share a common center housing, rear housing, two electric machines, power-split planetary gearset, and torque multiplication gearset. One arrangement additionally utilizes an overdrive gearset and an overdrive clutch. Another arrangement additionally utilizes two clutches and a brake to implement three operating modes. Since the components that differ between the two arrangements use the same general packaging space and all shift elements are hydraulically controlled via a front housing, the design of the front housing is also similar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Allen Janson
  • Patent number: 9694712
    Abstract: A power control system may include at least one of batteries, a motor, and a data logic analyzer that can interpret certain variable conditions of a transport, such as a tractor trailer, moving along a road or highway. The data can be used to determine when to apply supplemental power to the wheels of a trailer to reduce fuel usage. One example device may include at least one of: a power creation module that generates electrical power, a battery which store the electrical power, a motor affixed to a trailer axle of a trailer which provides a turning force to the trailer axle when enabled to operate from the stored electrical power of the battery, and a motor controller configured to initiate the motor to operate according to a predefined sensor condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: HYLIION INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Joseph Healy
  • Patent number: 9676282
    Abstract: Nowadays people attempt to replace petrochemical engine vehicles by electric vehicles. However, up to now this attempt has not been successful yet for the insufficiency of safety, cruising range and convenience. When the electricity of battery is used up, the electric vehicle has to stop running and wait for charging and looking for charging stations, always make consumers give up the idea of buying electric vehicles. We have creatively design a range-extending, charging, and driving apparatus for an electric vehicle. It makes use of the clever configuration of wheel motor and planetary gear assembly, which can increase the cruising range, torque and speed of electric vehicle, and conduct charging while driving, and provides the auxiliary power fuel cell with the fuel of oxygen. Here electric vehicles cover all kinds of electric vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Chen-Yang Wu
  • Patent number: 9676411
    Abstract: An electric drive retrofit kit includes a rear entry electric drive motor module that includes an electric drive planetary gear assembly and a second electric drive planetary gear assembly which can be inserted into a rear final drive cavity of a frame housing for a tracked tractor with a high track drive. The electric drive retrofit kit may further include a generator, a cooling package, an additional water pump, a steering pump, a steering motor, power inverters with control modules, and electric cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph D. Tigue, Vance M. Buatte, Jonathan M. Baumann, Gregory Austin, Timothy J. Schlack
  • Patent number: 9592732
    Abstract: A dual-independent powertrain for a vehicle includes a transmission enclosure that houses a first transmission and a second transmission that are mechanically decoupled from each other. The enclosure includes a central frame, a first enclosure cover that interfaces with the central frame to collectively define a first transmission region on a first side of the central frame, and a second enclosure cover that interfaces with the central frame to collectively define a second transmission region on a second side of the central frame. The first transmission is housed within the first transmission region, and the second transmission is house within the second transmission region. Each transmission includes a motor-interfacing shaft that interfaces with a respective electric motor, a drive-interfacing shaft that interfaces with a respective drive wheel of a vehicle, and a multi-stage gear train mechanically coupling the motor-interfacing shaft and the drive-interfacing shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ARCIMOTO, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Douglas Frohnmayer, James Kevin Jordan, Paul Clark, Adrian Hawkins
  • Patent number: 9573452
    Abstract: An electric vehicle traction drive assembly includes a variable-speed electric motor for providing the torque. A multi-speed transaxle multiplies the torque of the electric motor through the vehicle operator's selection between more than one gear ratio. An adapter mechanically couples the motor and the transaxle to integrate the motor with the transaxle keeping an output shaft of the motor center-aligned with an input shaft of the transaxle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Squaw-Fleet, LLC
    Inventor: Brooks Alexander Agnew
  • Patent number: 9566857
    Abstract: An electric drive unit for a powertrain system including first and second drivelines and a primary propulsion system for translating rotational torque to the first driveline. A motor acts to generate rotational torque and a pinion is disposed in selective communication therewith. A differential is interposed between the pinion and the second driveline of for splitting torque therebetween. A first planetary is disposed between the motor and pinion, and a second planetary is disposed between the first planetary and pinion. A dog clutch interposed between the pinion and the planetaries is movable between a first position wherein torque from the motor is translated through the first planetary and the dog clutch to drive the second driveline at a first drive ratio, and a second position wherein torque from the motor is translated through both planetaries and the dog clutch to drive the second driveline at a second drive ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Pritchard, Thaddeus Kopp
  • Patent number: 9487210
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a differential device, a first motor, an engine, a second motor, an engagement device, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to control the first motor and the second motor when an engagement state of the engagement device changes, such that a first angular acceleration and a second angular acceleration reach a first target value and the second target value respectively, the first angular acceleration and the second angular acceleration being two angular accelerations of the engine, the first motor, and the second motor and to calculate the first target value and the second target value by applying a constraint condition to at least one of the first target value and the second target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaya Yamamoto, Shunya Kato, Akihiro Kimura, Hideki Furuta
  • Patent number: 9469199
    Abstract: A traction control system is provided that is applicable to both two wheel drive and four wheel drive electric vehicles, and which is capable of handling both low frequency and high frequency control duties. The system uses proportional gains in order to minimize controller delays and insure a natural feeling traction control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: ATIEVA, INC.
    Inventor: Jean-Philippe Gauthier
  • Patent number: 9469182
    Abstract: A mounting frame (20) for an electrically driven motor vehicle (10) has two frame beams (34, 36) oriented in a longitudinal direction (18) of the motor vehicle (10). An electric drive unit (22) for driving the motor vehicle (10) is mounted on the frame beams (34, 36), and has an electrical component (28) formed separately from the electric drive unit (22). The electrical component (28) is accommodated in a flexurally stiff housing (40) that is mounted on the mounting frame (34, 36). The frame beams (34, 36) form a frame arrangement which is open outwardly in the longitudinal direction (18), and the housing (40) of the electrical component (28) is mechanically fixedly connected to the two frame beams (34, 36) to form a closed frame section together with the frame beams (34, 36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Timo Fabian Merkel
  • Patent number: 9463697
    Abstract: A traction control system is provided that is applicable to both two wheel drive and four wheel drive electric vehicles, and which is capable of handling both low frequency and high frequency control duties. The system uses proportional gains in order to minimize controller delays and insure a natural feeling traction control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: ATIEVA, INC.
    Inventor: Jean-Philippe Gauthier
  • Patent number: 9457787
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vehicle having an electric traction motor coupled to a transmission by a clutch include modifying traction motor torque in response to the difference between rotational speed of a driveline component and the filtered rotational speed of the driveline component to reduce driveline oscillation when the clutch is locked. The traction motor torque may be modified in response to a vehicle event that may otherwise induce driveline oscillations, such as a transmission ratio change or regenerative braking, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Marvin Paul Kraska, Daniel Scott Colvin, Christopher Alan Lear