With Condition Responsive Steer Control Patents (Class 475/19)
  • Patent number: 11613302
    Abstract: A steering system (10) for a motor vehicle, which steering system (10) is configured as a steer-by-wire steering system, comprises a rack (14), an electric drive (16) for the longitudinal displacement of the rack (14), and a rotatably mounted supporting element (20) which is spaced apart from the electric drive (16) along the longitudinal axis of the rack (14), and the rotatably mounted supporting element (20) being in toothed engagement with the rack (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Eduard Span, Yavuz Demir
  • Patent number: 11345324
    Abstract: An electric drive device for a vehicle includes: a rotating machine that is used as a driving force source for traveling of the vehicle; a differential device configured to distribute power transmitted from the rotating machine to right and left driving wheels; and a retarder provided in a power transmission path between the rotating machine and the differential device and configured to generate a braking force. The retarder is either an electromagnetic retarder or a fluid retarder. The rotating machine and the retarder are arranged on opposite sides of an axis of the differential device in a front-rear direction of the vehicle in a plan view seen from above the vehicle, the axis of the differential device being parallel to a width direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shin Kurosaki
  • Patent number: 10648541
    Abstract: An actuator includes a manually operable portion that is operable to transmit rotation to an output shaft. The manually operable portion is provided such that the manually operable portion extends through a housing while at least a portion of the manually operable portion is exposed to an outside of the housing. In this way, even in a case where the actuator becomes inoperable, it is possible to change a shift range by rotating the output shaft through operation of the manually operable portion. It is only required to have a connection hole, which is conventionally provided at an outer wall of a transmission case, as a hole, which connects this rotary actuator to a shift range change mechanism. Therefore, it is sufficient to perform only a relatively small improvement, such as providing screw holes for fixing the actuator in a preexisting transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mikine Kume, Shinji Naito, Hiroyuki Tateno, Atsushi Kamada
  • Patent number: 9874150
    Abstract: A method of assembling an epicyclic gear train comprises the steps of providing a unitary carrier having a central axis that includes spaced apart walls and circumferentially spaced connecting structure defining spaced apart apertures provided at an outer circumference of the carrier. Gear pockets are provided between the walls and extend to the apertures. A central opening is in at least one of the walls. A plurality of intermediate gears are inserted through the central opening and move the intermediate gears radially outwardly into the gear pockets to extend into the apertures. A sun gear is inserted through the central opening. The plurality of intermediate gears is moved radially inwardly to engage the sun gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, William G. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 8419577
    Abstract: The invention relates to a propulsion system for all-wheel drive motor vehicles, having a device for propulsion distribution to the front and the rear differential which transmit the drive output to the wheels assigned at the time, and with a device for coupled, variable distribution of the propulsion forces in the transverse and longitudinal directions of the vehicle depending on the operating situation of the vehicle for influencing the driving behavior, especially for improving the driving agility and driving stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Tim Christopher Meissner, Johann Fuchs, Ralf Schwarz, Johann Maerkl, Christian Meixner
  • Patent number: 8187131
    Abstract: The invention relates to a propulsion system for all-wheel drive motor vehicles, having a device for propulsion distribution to the front and the rear differential which transmit the drive output to the wheels assigned at the time, and with a device for coupled, variable distribution of the propulsion forces in the transverse and longitudinal directions of the vehicle depending on the operating situation of the vehicle for influencing the driving behavior, especially for improving the driving agility and driving stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Tim Christopher Meissner, Johann Fuchs, Ralf Schwarz, Johann Markl, Christian Meixner
  • Patent number: 7806220
    Abstract: A drive axle assembly includes first and second axleshafts and a drive mechanism coupling a driven input shaft to the axleshafts. The drive mechanism includes a differential assembly, a planetary gear assembly operably disposed between the differential assembly and the first axleshaft, a brake and first and second mode clutches. The first clutch is operable with the brake and the planetary gear assembly to increase the rotary speed of the first axleshaft which, in turn, causes a corresponding decrease in the rotary speed of the second axleshaft. The second clutch is operable with the brakes and the planetary gear assembly to decrease the rotary speed of the first axleshaft so as to cause an increase in the rotary speed of the second axleshaft. A control system controls actuation of both mode clutches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain, Inc.
    Inventors: Anupam Sharma, Timothy M. Burns
  • Patent number: 7789784
    Abstract: In a steering device (200), a first motor (34a) operates in accordance with a steering operation of a steering handle (12), a first steering shaft (52) steers one of the pair of wheels (58), and a first conversion unit converts a rotation of a first rotor (31 a) as a rotation element of the first motor (31a) into an axial-direction movement of the first steering shaft (52). A second motor (34b) operates in accordance with the steering operation of the steering handle (12), a second steering shaft (53) is separated from the first steering shaft (52) and steers the other of the pair of wheels (58), and a second conversion unit converts a rotation of a second rotor (31b) as a rotation element of the second motor (34b) into an axial-direction movement of the second steering shaft (53). A coupling unit (60) couples the first rotor (31a) and the second rotor (31b) together and cancels the coupling of the first rotor (31a) and the second rotor (31b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Hayashi, Masatoshi Nakatsu
  • Publication number: 20100184550
    Abstract: A drive configuration for a skid steered vehicle comprises a pair of electric motors for propulsion of the vehicle, one each coupled to drive a respective track on a respective side of the vehicle, and one or more electric steer motors coupled through a differential gear mechanism to impose a speed difference between the tracks. An associated control system controls the current to each motor so that substantial contributions to the differential torque to turn the vehicle are made both by the steer motors and by the propulsion motors, in variable proportions preferably as a function of the vehicle speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: QINETIQ LIMITED
    Inventor: Robert William Thompson
  • Patent number: 7711463
    Abstract: An electric power steering system includes: a band-stop filter 15a having a transfer function G1(s) for suppressing resonance, and a phase compensator 15b having a transfer function G2(s). The above function G1(s) is represented by an expression G1(s)=(s2+2?11?1+?12)/(s2+2?12?1+?12), where s is a Laplace operator, ?11 is a damping coefficient, ?12 is a damping coefficient, and ?1 is an angular frequency. On the other hand, the above function G2(s) is represented by an expression G2(s)=(s2+2?21?2+?22)/(s2+2?22?2+?22),where s is a Laplace operator, ?21 is a damping coefficient, ?22 is a damping coefficient, and ?1 is an angular frequency. Furthermore, the above damping coefficients ?21, ?22 satisfy an expression ?2124 ?22?1.Thus, a filter such as a phase compensator may attain a design freedom while preventing the increase of arithmetic load, whereby both the suppression of resonance and a good assist response in a normal steering speed region, for example, may be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Oya, Masahiko Sakamaki
  • Patent number: 7651426
    Abstract: A first common rotational axis of first and second shafts of a first differential is prevented from being coaxial with a second common rotational axis of first and second rotary members of a second differential so that each of the first and second shafts is prevented from extending through at least one of the first and second rotary members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Yokoyama, Makoto Yamakado, Tatsuyuki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7628721
    Abstract: A device operable to distribute driving forces to left and right wheels of a vehicle, includes: a differential mechanism, a driving-force adjuster and a differential limiter. The differential mechanism is operable to distribute a driving force from a drive source of the vehicle to the left and right wheels as distributed driving forces, while allowing a rotation difference between the left and right wheels. The driving-force adjuster is operable to adjust each of the distributed driving forces. The differential limiter is operable to limit rotation difference between the left and right wheels by applying a limiting torque to the differential mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuya Yamamura, Yuichi Ushiroda, Kaoru Sawase
  • Patent number: 7614970
    Abstract: A torque sensing assembly includes an axially fixed sheave having an axis of rotation, and an axially movable sheave movable along the axis in relation to the axially fixed sheave. A compression spring has a first end and a second end, with the first end being positioned to engage the axially movable sheave. A dual stage spring compression mechanism has a spring retainer that engages the second end of the compression spring. The dual stage spring compression mechanism is connected to the axially fixed sheave. The dual stage spring compression mechanism has a first stage compression device that compresses the compression spring by a first preload amount and a second stage compression device that compresses the compression spring by a second preload amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Joseph Albert Teijido, Jeffrey Allen Turigliatti, Steve Michael Juhasz
  • Patent number: 7566282
    Abstract: A vehicle steering device has a single electric motor which, at the same time, introduces energy for desired rotational speed conversion and auxiliary power support into the system. Steering interventions by a driver of the vehicle, in the form of a driving moment exerted by a vehicle steering wheel, are superimposed with a driving movement of the electric motor, and these two motors are initiated jointly onto a driving element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Technologies AG
    Inventor: Viktor Arbanas
  • Patent number: 7507177
    Abstract: Transmission method and arrangement for distributing tractive force in a vehicle between a first transmission branch (28a) and a second transmission branch (30). The transmission branches are connected to one another by way of a fork (28b) and one transmission branch (28a) is directly connectable to at least one wheel contact surface. The second transmission branch (30) is connected to the fork (28b) by way of a control unit (19), which is provided with control means (27) for varying the transmission ratio in this branch (30). The invention furthermore relates to a vehicle having at least two driving wheels (16, 16b, 17, 17b, 18, 18b) and the transmission arrangement specified above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Volvo Articulated Haulers AB
    Inventor: Karl-Erik Olsson
  • Publication number: 20080103004
    Abstract: This device consists of a car body, which further consists of a first wheel and a second wheel; a first angular compensation mechanism which further consists of a first transmission set for transmitting a first torque generated by the first wheel, a second transmission set for transmitting a second torque generated by the second wheel; a second angular compensation mechanism having a first planetary gear train which is connected to and installed at the first transmission set of the first angular compensation mechanism for receiving the first torque, a second planetary gear train which is connected to and installed at the second transmission set of the first angular compensation mechanism for receiving the second torque; and a direction pointer which is connected to and installed at the second angular compensation mechanism wherein the direction pointer is driven by the first and the second torque to generate a rotation in order to obtain a compensation angular velocity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: Juo-Ling Chen
  • Patent number: 7338404
    Abstract: A drive assembly (1) includes a differential (3) with a differential carrier (7) and two output shafts (19) connected to the differential carrier (7) via a differential gear set (10). The assembly includes at least one transmission stage (25) with a first sun gear (26) connected to the differential carrier (7), and a second sun gear (28) connected to one of the two output shafts (19), and at least one parallel planetary gear (27) which engages the sun gears (26, 28) and which is rotatably held in a carrier element (32) which can be coupled to a stationary housing (18). The two sun gears have profile-displaced teeth with different numbers of teeth and are arranged at the same axial distance (C) from the at least one planetary gear (27). The planetary gear (27) has two toothed portions (29, 30) with corresponding teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Theodor Gassmann, Mark Schmidt, Klaus Arndt
  • Patent number: 7322898
    Abstract: A steering system includes a differential transmission having an input shaft and an output shaft, a rotary input device attached to the input shaft, a movable steering effector in operable communication with the output shaft, an angular-to-linear converter which converts a rotative motion of the output shaft to a linear motion that acts to move the steering effector. The motion of the steering effector enables path alteration of a vehicle. The steering system also includes an electromotive actuator in operable communication with the differential transmission. An activated electromotive actuator provides an active alteration of a speed change between a speed of the input shaft and a speed of the output shaft and a deactivated electromotive actuator provides a default speed change between the speed of the input shaft and the speed of the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Augustine, Ratko Menjak
  • Patent number: 7144346
    Abstract: A motor vehicle steering mechanism is provided and includes a steering wheel fixedly connected to a steering column, a steering pinion meshing with a rack, a planetary gear system connected to the steering column and the steering pinion, wherein during a normal trouble-free driving operation the housing of the gear system is freely rotatable; an angle sensor detects the position of the steering column and/or steering wheel and generates a signal representative thereof, wherein a first drive applies torque directly to the steering column, and a second drive acts on the steering pinion or rack. The signal from the angle sensor is an input signal for an electronic control system that controls the second drive. A torque adjuster controls the first drive such that a hand torque corresponding to a driving situation is Produced for achieving a defined driving sensation for the driver on the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Thyssen Krupp Presta SteerTec GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Hermann, Klaus von Hammel, Roman Frank Starbek, Harwin Niessen, Martin Vohmann
  • Patent number: 7137920
    Abstract: Transmission method and arrangement for distributing tractive force in a vehicle between a first transmission branch (28a) and a second transmission branch (30). The transmission branches are connected to one another by way of a fork (28b) and one transmission branch (28a) is directly connectable to at least one wheel contact surface. The second transmission branch (30) is connected to the fork (28b) by way of a control unit (19), which is provided with control means (27) for varying the transmission ratio in this branch (30). The invention furthermore relates to a vehicle having at least two driving wheels (16, 16b, 17, 17b, 18, 18b) and the transmission arrangement specified above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Volvo Articulated Haulers AB
    Inventor: Karl-Erik Olsson
  • Patent number: 7074151
    Abstract: An electric drive configuration for a skid steered vehicle comprises: a pair of propulsion motors (74a, 74b), each with a motor shaft protruding from both ends of the motor and mounted on the same axis across the vehicle, each being coupled at the outer end to drive one of a pair of tracks or set of wheels of the skid steered vehicle; a control differential steep gear unit (72) positioned between the two propulsion motors and in driveable communication with the inner ends of the two motor shafts: and a steer motor (71) in driveable communication with the controlled differential (72), the steer motor (71) being controllable from zero speed giving straight line running in which both motor shafts are coupled to run at the same speed, to a range of speeds in both directions of rotation giving steering capability in both directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: QinetiQ Limited
    Inventor: Robert W Thompson
  • Patent number: 7044880
    Abstract: A drive axle assembly includes first and second axleshafts connected to a pair of wheels and a drive mechanism operable to selectively couple a driven input shaft to one or both of the axleshafts. The drive mechanism includes a differential assembly, a planetary gear assembly operably disposed between the differential assembly and the first axleshafts and first and second mode clutches. The first mode clutch is operable with the planetary gear assembly to increase the rotary speed of the first axleshaft which, in turn, causes a corresponding decrease in the rotary speed of the second axleshaft. The second mode clutch is operable with the planetary gear assembly to decrease the rotary speed of the first axleshaft so as to cause an increase in the rotary speed of the second axleshaft. A control system controls actuation of both mode clutches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas C. Bowen
  • Patent number: 6885926
    Abstract: The steering angle with respect to the running distance is changed by changing the steering angular velocity in accordance with the steering angle and the vehicle speed such that the turning rate has a linear relationship with the moving distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Iwazaki
  • Publication number: 20040116228
    Abstract: An electric drive configuration for a skid steered vehicle comprises: a pair of propulsion motors (74a, 74b), each with a motor shaft protruding from both ends of the motor and mounted on the same axis across the vehicle, each being coupled at the outer end to drive one of a pair of tracks or set of wheels of the skid steered vehicle; a control differential steep gear unit (73) positioned between the two propulsion motors and in driveable communication with the inner ends of the two motor shafts; and a steer motor (71) in driveable communication with the controlled differential (72), the steer motor (71) being controllable from zero speed giving straight line running in which both motor shafts are coupled to run at the same speed, to a range of speeds in both directions of rotation giving steering capability in both directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Robert W Thompson
  • Patent number: 6654676
    Abstract: An object is to provide a steering system for a tracklaying vehicle which is capable of preventing overrun of a motor during a pivot turn irrespective of the load of the road surface and does not cause a shortage of power during a turn. The steering system is comprised of a pair of brakes for right and left output shafts and designed to transmit the driving force of a hydraulic motor to the output shafts through a planetary gear mechanism. A transmission of a driving force from the hydraulic motor to the planetary gear mechanism is interrupted after concurrently carrying out actuation of a brake for either one of the right and left output shafts and a transmission of a driving force from the hydraulic motor to the planetary gear mechanism for a specified period of time, when the vehicle carries out a pivot turn. During a pivot turn of the vehicle, the engine is controlled such that a vehicle body speed obtained by a bevel shaft rotational speed detector becomes equal to a specified value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Nakagawa, Shigeru Yamamoto, Kazuyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6196342
    Abstract: A steering mechanism that controls a drive and steer transmission and that causes the transmission to execute turns in the direction a steering wheel is turned when operating in either the forward or reverse direction of travel. In response to operator engagement of a drive control, an actuation linkage shifts an elongate member within a slot formed in a cam member that pivots in response to turning of a steering wheel. Shifting of the rod member between two positions on either side of the cam member pivot axis causes the drive and steer transmission to steer the vehicle in the desired direction when the vehicle is traveling in both forward and reverse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Richard Donald Teal, Eugene Gary Hayes, David Lewis Marchese, Barry Joseph Goebert, Wayne Robert Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 6129164
    Abstract: A steering mechanism that controls a drive and steer transmission and that causes the transmission to execute turns in the direction a steering wheel is turned when operating in either the forward or reverse direction of travel. In response to operator engagement of a drive control, an actuation linkage shifts an elongate member within a slot formed in a cam member that pivots in response to turning of a steering wheel. Shifting of the rod member between to positions on either side of the cam member pivot axis causes the drive and steer transmission to steer the vehicle in the desired direction when the vehicle is traveling in both forward and reverse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Richard Donald Teal, Eugene Gary Hayes, David Lewis Marchese, Barry Joseph Goebert
  • Patent number: 6033337
    Abstract: In a torque splitting device for distributing an input torque applied to an input member to a pair of output members adapted to be coupled with right and left driven wheels of a vehicle at an adjustable distribution ratio, the distribution ratio is determined in such a way that the understeer and oversteer tendencies of the vehicle under a positive or negative drive condition while turning a curve is appropriately controlled. In particular, it is highly desirable to prevent an understeer tendency from appearing while turning a curve. Therefore, when the vehicle is under a positive drive condition while tuning a curve, a yaw moment is produced by an appropriate torque distribution which assists the vehicle to turn in such a way that the understeerg condition is canceled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Ohkuma, Shoji Akaogi
  • Patent number: 5857532
    Abstract: A differential steer is provided for use in a machine and includes a variable displacement motor operatively connected to a differential disposed between first and second output members. The variable displacement motor is an over-center type and the displacement thereof is varied from zero to maximum in both directions of movement. Pressurized fluid to drive the steer motor is received from the main system pump. A microprocessor senses the direction and rate of rotation of the steer motor output, the speed of the outputs from the differential, the magnitude of a steer input, and controls the output speed of the steer motor to the differential in response to the magnitude of the steer input. Consequently, the quantity of fluid taken from the main system pump is limited to only that necessary to rotate the steer motor at a rate necessary to satisfy the desired steer input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald L. Satzler
  • Patent number: 5730677
    Abstract: A protection device for a steering transmission of a tracked vehicle having a plurality of planetary gear sets capable of engaging different ratios for cornering in curves with different radii. The input and output speeds of the steering transmission and the transmission ratios are determined and compared with predetermined operating parameters in order to determine if clutch slippage is occurring. If slippage is detected, the steering transmission is thereupon temporarily disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Sorg, Walter Loichinger
  • Patent number: 5611405
    Abstract: A turning speed control system for use in a track-laying vehicle comprising: a steering motor for driving crawler belts provided at both sides of the vehicle such that a relative travel difference is caused between the crawler belts, thereby turning the vehicle to the right or left; a steering instructing device which can be displaced from a neutral position by operation and which instructs, according to the direction and distance of its displacement, a turning direction and a turning radius for the vehicle, the turning radius decreasing as the displacement distance increases; a displacement detector for detecting the displacement of the steering instructing device; and a control unit for performing a control such that when making the turning radius of the vehicle small by increasing the revolution speed of the steering motor according to the displacement of the steering instructing device detected by the displacement detector such that the crawler belts are driven with a relative travel difference therebetwe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Tsutomu Ishino, Ryoichi Maruyama, Hideki Yamada
  • Patent number: 5015221
    Abstract: Disclosed is differential mechanism having two bearing rings. The mechanism is used for steering a vehicle by delivering a higher speed rotational power output to a tractive drive on one side of the vehicle than to another tractive drive on the opposite side of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Inventor: Roger R. Smith