Articulated Joint Structure Patents (Class 280/93.508)
  • Patent number: 12195081
    Abstract: The present document relates to a steering sensor assembly comprising an axle housing and a kingpin rotatably mounted on the axle housing, wherein the kingpin features a through hole extending through the kingpin. The steering sensor assembly further comprises a mounting member connected to the axle housing and at least partially disposed in the through hole extending through the kingpin, and a steering sensor comprising a first sensor portion coupled to the kingpin and a second sensor portion coupled to the mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: DANA ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Alessandro Strauss, Giovanni Mariech, Mario Bonora, Alberto Cis
  • Patent number: 12162535
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the steering angle of a wheel assembly including a suspended wheel mount and at least one suspension arm, the apparatus including a reference bracket, a rotating bracket and an angle sensor, the reference bracket and the rotating bracket each respectively including a measurement end and a mounting end, wherein the measurement ends of the reference and rotating brackets are rotatably coupled about a rotation coupling point such that the brackets can rotate with respect to one another, wherein the mounting end of the rotating bracket is coupled with the suspended wheel mount and the mounting end of the reference bracket is coupled with the suspension arm, and wherein the mounting end of the reference bracket is positioned on a plane defined by a steering axis of the suspend-wheel mount and a rotation axis between the suspension arm and the suspended wheel mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: REE Automotive Ltd.
    Inventors: Eylon Avigur, Tomer Lippmann, Eran Starik, Michael Oisgeld
  • Patent number: 11850902
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to providing a strut suspension system configured to improve a steering property by reducing steering frictional resistance when a steering wheel is rotationally manipulated and having a relatively simple mechanical structure to reduce the number of components and manufacturing costs and to secure a large space for installing main components such as an engine and the like. Disclosed is a strut suspension system configured to absorb impact and vibrations transferred to a vehicle body from a road surface through a wheel. The strut suspension system includes a strut provided between the vehicle body and the wheel and to which a knuckle arm connecting a steering system of a vehicle to the wheel is connected to be relatively rotatable when the steering system performs steering and a stabilizer link having one end connected to a stabilizer bar configured to increase roll rigidity of the vehicle body and the other end coupled to prevent the strut from rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: CTR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sun Min Seo
  • Patent number: 11713076
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the steering angle of a wheel assembly including a suspended wheel mount and at least one suspension arm, the apparatus including a reference bracket, a rotating bracket and an angle sensor, the reference bracket and the rotating bracket each respectively including a measurement end and a mounting end, wherein the measurement ends of the reference and rotating brackets are rotatably coupled about a rotation coupling point such that the brackets can rotate with respect to one another, wherein the mounting end of the rotating bracket is coupled with the suspended wheel mount and the mounting end of the reference bracket is coupled with the suspension arm, and wherein the mounting end of the reference bracket is positioned on a plane defined by a steering axis of the suspended wheel mount and a rotation axis between the suspension arm and the suspended wheel mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: REE Automotive Ltd.
    Inventors: Eylon Avigur, Tomer Lippmann, Eran Starik, Michael Oisgeld
  • Patent number: 10626913
    Abstract: The ball joint device (10) for suspending a turbine engine from a strut or suspending equipment on the body of a turbine engine. Said device comprises a first member (12), one end of which carries a ball joint (14) and is interposed between the two lugs (16, 17) of a second member (18), the ball joint comprising a bore (28) for the passage of a shaft (30), the ends of which shaft pass through openings (20, 22) in the lugs. A first (16) of the lugs comprises or carries first means for axially holding the shaft on the side opposite the ball joint, which means comprise a cover (52, 52?), and a second (17) of the lugs comprises or carries second means (38) for axially holding the shaft on the side opposite the ball joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Nicolas Marc Florent, Marc Patrick Tesniere
  • Patent number: 10544824
    Abstract: The ball joint assembly includes a housing with an inner wall that surrounds an axially extending open bore. A ball portion of a ball stud is received in the open bore of the housing, and a shank portion of the ball stud projects out of the open bore. A pair of bearings are disposed in the inner bore of the housing and are interposed between the ball portion and the inner wall. Each bearing has a curved bearing surface which slidably contacts the ball portion for allowing the ball stud and the housing articulate relative before use. Each bearing also has an outer surface that slidably contacts the inner wall. A pair of biasing elements bias the bearings in opposite directions against the ball portion of the ball stud such that the ball stud is movable relative to the housing in the axial direction before use of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Motorparts LLC
    Inventor: Roger Sellers
  • Patent number: 9951716
    Abstract: A device for anchoring components or parts to a rigid element, such as an engine block, for example, or to intermediate elements which are in turn fixed to rigid elements, such as an intermediate pin mounted on the engine block, for example. The anchor consists of a structure which can be manufactured from stamped and punched sheet metal parts giving rise to an inexpensive and easy-to-manufacture component. The particular configuration based on stamped and punched sheet metal parts shows high rigidity and is particularly suitable for anchoring heavy components. The fixing anchor is suitable for bolted joints of the components or parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Borgwarner Emissions Systems Spaion, S.L.U.
    Inventors: José Antonio Grande Fernández, Emilio Vidal, Rui Natividade
  • Patent number: 9738317
    Abstract: An upper plate portion of a suspension member and a bottom plate portion of a bracket that is placed on an upper side thereof, and the like, as objects to be fastened, are sandwiched between a weld nut and an end surface on a vehicle upper side of a collar. A protruding portion that protrudes toward a bolt through-hole side of the bottom plate portion of the bracket is formed on an end portion on the vehicle upper side of the collar. The protruding portion is formed along an entire periphery around an axis of the collar. Also, a drainage groove that leads from the end surface on the vehicle upper side to an outer peripheral surface of the collar is formed in the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasunori Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 9709087
    Abstract: A product that may include a first linked element that may have an opening that may have a coaxial counter bore. A collar may be included and may have a parti-spherical section and may have a countersunk section that may extend into the counter bore. A stud may have a sphere-like section and may be engaged with the parti-spherical section. The stud may include a shank extending from the sphere-like section and through the collar and the opening. A fastener may be engaged with the shank, and the collar and the first linked element may be compressed between the sphere-like section and the fastener. A second linked element may be included and may have a race within which the sphere-like section may be engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Bucking
  • Patent number: 9239127
    Abstract: The present invention provides a rotatable joint (1) comprising: a first joint member (10) for connection to a reference frame; a second joint member (20) connected with the first joint member (10) and configured for rotation relative to the first joint member (10) about an axis (13); and an adjustable stop mechanism (30) for defining limits of rotation of the second joint member (20) relative to the first joint member (10). The adjustable stop mechanism (30) comprises: a first part (40) provided on the first joint member (10) having at least a first stop (41) defining at least a first limit of rotation of the second joint member (20) about said axis (13) relative to the first joint member (10), wherein the first part (40) is adapted to be selectively positioned with respect to the first joint member (10) to set or define a limit or range of rotation of the second joint member (20) relative to the first joint member (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Ondal Medical Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Krönung
  • Publication number: 20140367190
    Abstract: A steering mechanism comprising a first swing bar (1) with a first link (12) designed to allow the swing bar (1) to pivot about an axis of rotation (z). A second link (13) collaborates via a second pivot (23) with a first member (33) collaborating with a first wheel (43), and a third link (14) collaborates via a third pivot (24) with a second member (34) collaborating with a second wheel (44). The second link and the third link are positioned symmetrically. A fourth link (15) is designed to be able to collaborate via a fourth pivot (25) with a linear actuator (4). The fourth link is offset from said central axis so that actuation of the linear actuator (4) causes the swing bar to rotate, and causes a rotation of the wheels (43, 44).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: 4POWER4 SPRL
    Inventor: François Porcheron
  • Publication number: 20140306412
    Abstract: An articulated connection can be used to transfer a steering movement to a vehicle wheel. The articulated connection can include an axle journal and a steering arm. The axle journal can be configured to be coupled to the wheel. The steering arm can be configured to receive and transfer the steering movement to the axle journal. The steering arm can be bendable so as to elastically deflect with respect to the axle journal. The steering arm can be curved along a portion of its length and/or the articulated connection can include a limiting device. The limiting device can be configured to limit an amount of deflection of the steering arm in at least one direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Pim van der Jagt, Marc Simon, Edmund Halfmann, Thomas Gerhards
  • Patent number: 8801012
    Abstract: A vehicle has a chassis (11) and at least one axle (12, 13) suspended from the chassis for vertical and roll movement relative to the chassis. The axle is mounted on the chassis via a first pivotal mounting means in the form of an upper pair of arms (12a, 13a) which is pivoted on the chassis for vertical pivoting movement relative thereto and which carry an axle support (15, 16) on which the axle (12, 13) is free to pivot in the roll mode. A first damping means (19) acts between the chassis (11) and the first pivotal mounting means (12a, 13a) to control vertical movement of the axle relative to the chassis, and a second damping means acts between the first pivotal mounting means (12a, 13a) and the axle (12, 13) to provide independent control of the roll movement of the axle relative to the chassis. A second lower pair of pivoting arms (12b, 13b) also connect the axle (12, 13) to the chassis to control fore and aft movement of the axle relative to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: AGCO SA
    Inventors: Geoffroy Husson, Frederic Ducroquet
  • Patent number: 8262110
    Abstract: An idler arm assembly employed in a steering assembly of a vehicle having a body. The idler arm assembly comprises: an idler housing mounted to the body and including a bore; a pivot shaft mounted in the bore and being rotatable and telescopically slidable in the bore, with the pivot shaft having a cavity at a first end; an idler arm having a first end supported by the second end of the pivot shaft and a second end that supports the steering assembly; a ball stud having a ball end secured in the cavity and supporting the pivot shaft in the telescopically slidable direction, and a shank having threads; and a threaded cap secured to the idler housing and engaged with the threads on the shank, whereby rotation of the threads relative to the threaded cap will telescopically slide the pivot shaft relative to the idler housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Miroslaw Zaloga, George E. Doerr, Christopher J. Mielke, William R. Venner, III, Marco E. Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20100207340
    Abstract: A pivot socket includes a housing with an inner surface providing a cavity extending between a substantially closed end and an open end. A cartridge bearing is received in the cavity with a spring disposed between the closed end and the cartridge bearing. The cartridge bearing has an inner surface with a cylindrical portion and conical portion converging inwardly from the cylindrical portion. The cylindrical portion houses a tapered bearing for relative axial movement therewith. A stud having opposite first and second tapered surfaces diverging away from one another is received in the cartridge bearing, with the first tapered surface engaging the tapered bearing for relative sliding movement therewith and the second tapered surface engaging the conical portion of the cartridge bearing for relative sliding movement therewith, thereby causing the relative axial movement between the tapered bearing and the cartridge bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: James J. Elterman, George R. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20080061525
    Abstract: A vehicular wheel assembly includes a first bearing component configured to be coupled to a frame of a vehicle, a second bearing component rotatably coupled to the first bearing component, and a brake mechanism coupled to the second bearing component. The motor includes a stator and a rotor. The stator is coupled to the first bearing component and the rotor is coupled to the second bearing component such that rotation of the rotor relative to the stator causes the second bearing component to rotate relative to the first bearing component. The brake mechanism is between the motor and the frame and is configured to slow the rotation of the second bearing component and the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Terence Ward, James Nagashima, Michael Milani, Khwaja Rahman
  • Patent number: 6719311
    Abstract: A steering assembly is provided for steering a pair of vehicle wheels. The assembly includes a tie rod assembly having first and second tie rods. Each of the tie rods has an inboard end and an outboard end. The inboard ends may be coupled to the output member of a steering gear or they may be supported on a movable support member. The outboard ends are coupled to the vehicle wheels and, in particular, to tie rod arms extending from steering knuckles. The inboard ends of the tie rods are positioned forward of the outboard ends of the tie rods relative to the forward direction of vehicle travel when the vehicle wheels are facing forward. As a result, the effective length of the tie rod assembly increases as the turn angle of the vehicle wheels increases thereby reducing toe out of the vehicle wheels and tire wear and allowing sufficient clearance with wheel and brake components including brake drums found in conventional drum brake systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Davis, Keith Kobetitsch
  • Patent number: 6375205
    Abstract: An articulating between two linking parts, said articulation comprising a hinge yoke provided with two non-parallel shafts each defining an axis of rotation and carried by each of the two linking parts respectively, with elastic hinge rings inserted between capable of being stressed in torsion about the axis of rotation of the associated shaft. The invention is characterized in that the hinge yoke is provided with at least one bore for passage of a first shaft with at least an elastic hinge ring inserted between capable of being stressed in torsion about the first shaft axis of rotation (the “first axis of rotation”), such that the relative allowable angular displacement between the linking parts about the first axis of rotation results from the sum of the allowable angular displacement of the linking part relative to the first shaft and the allowable angular displacement of the first shaft relative to the hinge yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Michelin AVS
    Inventors: Etienne De Fontenay, Philippe Jean
  • Patent number: 6371682
    Abstract: A non-articulating joint assembly is disclosed having a bracket with a first generally cylindrical end that is received in a split-half bearing assembly that has a tapered outer surface. The tapered split-half bearing assembly matingly engages a tapered bore in the first housing of a socket. The tapered split-half bearing is slightly larger than the tapered inner bore to provide a radial pre-load on the assembly bearing. A cap bearing is located in the housing and engages the bottom surface of the tapered split-half assembly bearing. A closure member is located below the cap bearing and cooperates with a spring member and a rim of the first housing that is crimped over to securely hold the components in position and also provide an axial pre-load on the split-half bearing. Similarly, a second housing on the socket member has a second split-half bearing assembly and a second cap bearing assembly that receives a stud is provided. The stud includes a generally cylindrical end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Garth B. Maughan