Prevents Unsafe Or Unintentional Shift Patents (Class 477/125)
  • Patent number: 11708894
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is to provide a shift apparatus that performs switching of shift ranges of a vehicle, the shift apparatus including: an operation member; a shift control section; and a regulation mechanism, wherein the shift control section is configured to select a second range when the operation member moves from a first position to a second position before being regulated by the regulation mechanism, and the shift control section is configured to select a first range when that a shift mechanism is in a shift restriction state and the operation member moves from the first position to the second position before being regulated by the regulation mechanism, and to allow an operation control section to execute the regulation by the regulation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki Kimura, Satoshi Kono, Masashi Misawa
  • Patent number: 10948077
    Abstract: A control apparatus of a transmission includes a hydraulic pressure circuit, an abnormality detector, and a controller. The transmission performs shifting operation of the transmission. The controller controls the shifting operation by controlling, as a first control operation, a control pressure adjusting value to allow a line pressure and a control pressure to have a correlation with each other and by using, as a value of the line pressure, a value calculated on a basis of a detected value of the control pressure. The controller controls the shifting operation by controlling, as a second control operation, the control pressure adjusting valve to allow the line pressure and the control pressure to have a correlation with each other and by using, as a value of the control pressure, a value calculated on a basis of a detected value of the line pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koichiro Terai
  • Patent number: 10830344
    Abstract: A shift range control device that switches a shift range by controlling driving of a motor includes a plurality of control units and a plurality of motor drivers. The plurality of control units respectively have an energization control unit for controlling energization to the motor and an abnormality monitor unit for performing abnormality monitoring. The energization control unit turns off energization of the own system in a state of temporary abnormality before determining a decisive abnormality when abnormality affecting the other system is detected in the own system while driving the motor by the plurality of systems, and the abnormality monitor unit determines whether a state of abnormality is the temporary abnormality or the decisive abnormality after turning off energization of the own system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouji Sakaguchi, Seiji Nakayama, Jun Yamada, Haruka Miyano
  • Patent number: 10821985
    Abstract: A gear change control device and method thereof are provided. The gear change control device is a target torque control device that sets a target torque of a motor outputting a torque to a multilevel transmission having a torque converter and a lockup clutch. In a case when the lockup clutch is in a fastened state and during upshifting gear change, target torque reduction control is executed for reducing the target torque of the motor such that the output of the motor becomes a torque at which a heat generation temperature of the lockup clutch does not exceed an allowable temperature. If the lockup clutch is fastened, threshold value changing control is executed for changing threshold value of a rotation speed of the motor or the input shaft when the gear range is shifted to the side of higher range during upshifting gear change to a higher rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Egashira, Kazuma Sasahara
  • Patent number: 10550931
    Abstract: A shift system and methodology for an automatic transmission of a vehicle is provided. The shift system includes a paddle shifter system configured to be controlled to manually shift gears of the transmission, and a manual gate console shifter system configured to be controlled to manually shift the gears of the transmission when in a manual gate shifting mode. A shift control system is configured to control shifting behavior of the transmission based on whether the paddle shifter system or manual gate shifting mode is activated. When the paddle shifter system is activated, the shift control system automatically upshifts a gear of the transmission when a speed of the engine exceeds a predetermined speed, and when the manual gate shifting mode is activated, the shift control system prevents automatically upshift a transmission gear when the speed of the engine exceeds the predetermined speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: James E Adams, James M Wilder, Martin Jagoda, IV
  • Patent number: 10309534
    Abstract: A control device is provided for a motor vehicle having an electronically controllable automatic transmission, an electronic transmission selector lever and an electronic control unit. The control unit, which may be the transmission control unit, has a car wash functional module such that, after activation of the car wash functional module, the following steps are permitted at least once and/or at least for a predefined limited time, in each case without activation of the brake pedal: shutting down of the engine in the transmission selector lever position “N”; a subsequent restart of the engine in the transmission selector lever position “N”; and a changeover from the transmission selector lever position “N” to “D”. The car wash functional module can be activated or deactivated by the driver at his discretion via a display operator control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Christopher Wagner
  • Patent number: 10253877
    Abstract: In a case where intermediate gear stage fault occurs, an electronic control unit determines, using a predetermined relationship for determining gear stage switching between a gear stage on a lower side than the intermediate gear stage by one stage and the intermediate gear stage, whether or not to execute gear stage switching between the low gear stage and a gear stage on a higher than the intermediate gear stage by one stage. For example, compared to using a relationship for determining gear stage switching between a gear stage on the higher side and the intermediate gear stage, it is possible to execute gear stage switching between a gear stage on the lower side and a gear stage on the higher side in a low vehicle speed region. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the influence on vehicle behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sawada, Takahiro Kondo, Masakazu Owatari, Tatsuro Hatano, Yoshiki Ando
  • Patent number: 10066740
    Abstract: A shift control system and a shift control method configured to execute a skip shift smoothly are provided. The shift control system selects an interim gear stage with reference to a control map. The control map is configured to determine: an intense region where a driver is allowed to sense an increase in the acceleration sufficiently based on an unconscious period, and a stimulation intensity; and a moderate region where acceleration is increased in a mild manner. During execution of the skip shift, the acceleration is increased in a mild manner by shifting the gear stage from an initial stage to the interim gear stage, and then increased significantly by shifting the gear stage from the interim gear stage to a target gear stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Okamura
  • Patent number: 10054065
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention there is provided a motor vehicle comprising an engine, the vehicle being operable automatically to stop the engine responsive to a determination that the engine is not required to provide torque to drive the vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises control means operable to monitor a value of one or more parameters associated with the vehicle during a drive cycle, the control means being arranged automatically to determine whether a current driving style of a driver corresponds to an economy-oriented driving style or a performance-oriented driving style responsive to the value of the one or more parameters over time during the drive cycle, the control means being operable to over-ride stopping of the engine when it is determined that the driving style of the driver corresponds to a performance-oriented style.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Clement Dextreit, Yiannis Eftychiou
  • Patent number: 10030763
    Abstract: In a control apparatus for a vehicle, when it is not determined that a downshift to a second gear stage should be carried out and an accelerator depression amount change rate is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value when it is determined that a downshift to a first gear stage should be carried out, a single downshift command to the first gear stage is output. When it is not determined that the downshift to the second gear stage should be carried out and the accelerator depression amount change rate is larger than the predetermined value when it is determined that the downshift to the first gear stage should be carried out, a current gear stage is maintained. Therefore, a skip downshift to the second gear stage can be carried out when it is determined that the downshift to the second gear stage should be carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sawada, Takahiro Kondo, Yoshiki Ando
  • Patent number: 9975556
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a transmission and an engine configured to input a torque into the transmission. The transmission has multiple transmission stages and includes a first engagement mechanism and a second engagement mechanism. The control device includes an ECU configured to: (a) control the second engagement mechanism when a second transmission stage is set such that the capacity of torque transmission of the second engagement mechanism is increased and a thrust for separating a first member and a second member of the first engagement mechanism from each other in an axial direction is generated; (b) calculate a decrement in an output torque of the transmission when the capacity of torque transmission of the second engagement mechanism is increased; and (c) increase a torque input into the transmission by the engine based on the decrement in the output torque by controlling the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Seiji Masunaga, Takayuki Ando, Yuki Aratsu, Hirotsugu Yoshino
  • Patent number: 9890852
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicle includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to limit a second hydraulic pressure so that a switching valve is switched to a normal position when the following conditions i) and ii) are satisfied. The condition i) is during partial failure in which a normally closed solenoid valve is de-energized. The condition ii) is when the switching valve is switched to a failure position due to the second hydraulic pressure and downshift to a specific gear shift stage not corresponding to a current gear shift stage occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masakazu Owatari
  • Patent number: 9874276
    Abstract: An automatic transmission having an operator control which has at least one manually actuable switching rocker which is arranged on a steering wheel. A sensor senses the actuation of the switching rocker and is connected via a signal path to a transmission control device of the automatic transmission. The switching rocker and the transmission control device are additionally connected to one another via a second signal path which is independent of the signal path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Martin Bauer, Johann Eichler, Hennig Schmahl, Iwo Heidrich
  • Patent number: 9592804
    Abstract: A brake control system for a motor vehicle having a plurality of wheels, brakes for applying a braking effort to one or more of the wheels, and movement sensing means for detecting movement of the vehicle. The system comprises: brake actuation means for actuating the brakes to supply a braking effort; and brake control means for controlling the brake actuation means, wherein the brake control means is arranged to determine an acceleration of the vehicle based on movement detected by the movement sensing means and to ensure that the brake actuation means supplies a braking effort if the determined acceleration exceeds a set acceleration limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Paul Beever, Timothy Reynolds
  • Patent number: 9587738
    Abstract: In the event of a failure to detect an operation position Psh, a shift command to a forward gear position (in this embodiment, the second-speed gear position “2nd” and the eight-speed gear position “8th”) established in association with an engagement device (in this embodiment, a brake B1) that causes locking of drive wheels when engaged with a one-way clutch F1, out of given forward gear positions formed when the operation position is a forward traveling operation position D, is not generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shuji Toyokawa
  • Patent number: 9523426
    Abstract: A gear change control device is provided in which a feedback control level for making an actual gear ratio between input rotational speed and output rotational speed of a transmission coincide with a target gear ratio is calculated. A control level calculation device calculates the feedback control level based on a deviation of acceleration of change in the actual gear ratio with respect to acceleration of change in the target gear ratio thereby making it possible to enhance the control responsiveness compared with a case in which the feedback control level is calculated based on the deviation of the actual gear ratio with respect to the target gear ratio, and also to detect the occurrence of a deviation of the actual value from the target value at early stage and carry out feedback, thus enabling gear change control to be carried out more linearly than in a conventional manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahito Fujita, Hideo Koyama
  • Patent number: 9435429
    Abstract: An actuating device for an automated dual clutch transmission of a motor vehicle drivetrain in manual-shift mode includes first and second shift elements disposed in a region of a steering column, the first shift element being configured to effect an upshift and the second shift element being configured to effect a downshift of the dual clutch transmission. Simultaneous operation of the shift elements is configured to effect idle operation of an engine with at least one open transmission clutch. The idle operation is present only while the first and second shift elements are actuated. The shift elements are configured to transmit a torque via a closed transmission clutch when at least one of the shift elements is released. A control device is configured to initiate rotational speed adaptation of the engine as a function of an actuation of the first and second shift elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Simon Dylla
  • Patent number: 9206894
    Abstract: One of two clutches etc. engaged concurrently with each other to establish a second speed, a third speed, or a fourth speed is determined in advance as an abnormal-time engagement element that is kept engaged when an abnormality occurs in which one different clutch or brake is engaged during concurrent engagement of the two clutches etc. The other of the two clutches etc. is determined in advance as an abnormal-time slipping element that is caused to slip when such an abnormality occurs. During concurrent engagement of the two clutches etc., a hydraulic pressure (target hydraulic pressure) to be supplied to the abnormal-time engagement element is set to be higher than a hydraulic pressure (target hydraulic pressure) to be supplied to the abnormal-time slipping element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seiya Ozeki, Taihwan Kim, Jun Igarashi, Eiji Moriyama, Hiroshi Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 9188219
    Abstract: A method of operating a transmission device. At least one of the shift elements is a form-locking shift element. A sensor is associated with the form-locking shift element which can determine an operating state of the form-locking shift element. When a request to disengage the form-locking shift element occurs, a disengagement control signal is generated and the form-locking shift element is actuated in the direction of disengagement, depending on the disengagement control signal. The transmission device is transferred to a safe operating state in which the transmission output shaft can rotate, when an actuating pressure that changes the operating state of the form-locking shift element is determined with the sensor, even though a disengagement control signal was not generated, and/or when the sensor is associated with at least two form-locking shift elements and the form-locking shift elements are subjected to actuating pressure to implement a requested operating state change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jorg Arnold, Georg Mihatsch
  • Patent number: 9073504
    Abstract: A system and method of immobilizing a vehicle include receiving a driver presence signal and a transmission state signal and commanding a transmission tie-up in response to the driver presence signal and the transmission state signal. In one embodiment, controlling a transmission element to tie-up a transmission includes braking approximately simultaneously a combination of transmission elements to inhibit rotation of a transmission output and maintaining transmission line pressure to maintain the transmission tie-up when an engine is off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Hong Jiang, Steven Gerald Thomas, Alexander O'Connor Gibson
  • Patent number: 9022901
    Abstract: A coast stop vehicle which stops an engine during the travel of the vehicle is provided with a variator including a pair of pulleys and a belt mounted between the pulleys and capable of continuously changing a speed ratio. A controller judges whether or not coast stop conditions to stop the engine during the travel of the vehicle hold, stops the engine when the coast stop conditions hold, and prevents the speed ratio from being upshifted to a higher side than a speed ratio at the time of starting the coast stop control during the coast stop control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Shinichiro Watanabe, Keichi Tatewaki, Naohiro Yamada, Noritaka Aoyama
  • Patent number: 8977454
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for grade-based anti-hunt shift control of an automatic transmission powering a machine. A shift controller determines a recommended gear in which to operate the transmission and sets an anti-hunt timer upon recommending a shift from a first gear to a second gear. The anti-hunt timer prevents a subsequent shift back to the first gear while the anti-hunt timer is running. A grade-based controller is configured to track machine operation and to determine when the machine operational factors change such that an estimated steady state gear differs from the second gear. When such a change is encountered, the grade-based controller clears the anti-hunt timer and sets a secondary timer. The clearing of the anti-hunt timer allows a downshift to accommodate the detected grade while the setting of the secondary timer prevents a subsequent clearing of the anti-hunt timer while the secondary timer is running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Tipton, James W. Landes, Justin L. Steinlage
  • Patent number: 8894545
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a transmission includes a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid that communicates with an electronic transmission range selection (ETRS) subsystem. The ETRS subsystem includes an ETRS valve, a park mechanism, a mode valve, a latch valve assembly, and a plurality of solenoids. The ETRS subsystem is configured to provide desired operating conditions during a plurality of potential failure conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Todd R. Berger
  • Patent number: 8885304
    Abstract: A drive force distribution control apparatus in which if a relay output voltage (Vah) detected by relay-output-voltage detecting means (30) is lower than a first threshold, the relay is repeatedly and successively turned on and off multiple times, and then if the relay output voltage (Vah) detected later by the relay-output-voltage detecting means (30) while an engine speed (Er) is higher than a second threshold and an ignition switch (IG) is on is still lower than the first threshold, it is determined that there is an abnormality that keeps the relay stuck open, and then control for switching the drive mode from a four-wheel-drive mode to a two-wheel-drive mode is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Jtekt Corporation
    Inventor: Kiyoshige Kato
  • Patent number: 8843284
    Abstract: A method for controlling a manual transmission of a vehicle includes providing a manual transmission comprising a shift fork actuator and a shifter assembly comprising a shift lever, a shift knob disposed on the shifter lever, a shift lever position sensor and a shifter tactile sensor. The tactile sensor may be used to determine when pressure is applied to the shift knob of the shifter assembly and, when pressure is applied to the shift knob, vehicle operating parameters are monitored. A predicted gear selection is determined based on the monitored vehicle operating parameters. An operator gear selection is then determined based on the shift lever position sensor when the shift lever is moved. The operator gear selection is compared to the predicted gear selection and, when the predicted gear selection is the same as the operator gear selection, the manual transmission is shifted to the predicted gear selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael John Wolterman
  • Patent number: 8836268
    Abstract: A pulse signal output unit sends three-phase pulse signals according to movement of the movable member. A counter unit adds a first predetermined value or a second predetermined value to a count value or subtracts the first predetermined value or the second predetermined value from the count value, according to a combination of the pulse signals appearing when all the pulse signals are normal and a combination of the pulse signals appearing when one of the pulse signals malfunctions. A position detection unit detects the position of the movable member according to the count value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takuya Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8715137
    Abstract: A method of controlling an automatic transmission of a vehicle in which a hold gear function is activated by a driver request and deactivated depending on a return condition. The method comprises the step of (a) determining the return condition by a change in operating state, and (b) deactivating the hold gear function if a temporary operating state, for which the hold function is requested, ends and a change takes place between one of uphill driving and downhill driving and between driving one of up and down a hill and driving on a same plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Matthias Winkel, Thomas Jager, Roland Mair, Reiner Kneer
  • Patent number: 8634939
    Abstract: Methods are provided for controlling a vehicle speed during a downhill travel. Based on the estimated grade of the downhill travel and further based on an input received from the operator, different combinations of an engine braking torque and a regenerative braking torque are used to maintain the vehicle speed during the downhill travel. A battery rate of charging is also adjusted based on the duration or distance of the downhill travel, as indicated by the operator input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Matthew Allen Warner, Mathew Alan Boesch, Fazal Urrahman Syed
  • Patent number: 8547210
    Abstract: The shift position display device includes a control section configured to automatically shift a shift position by operating actuators based on a shift change command. A gear position display section is configured to display a condition of an automatic transmission based on the display command of the control section. A failure detection unit is configured to detect a failure of the automatic transmission. The control section is configured to switch display of the gear position display section from a lighting display of a numerical figure to a display for failure occurrence notification. The control section is also configured to determine whether the failure is a failure in which traveling is possible or a failure in which traveling is possible when a predetermined limitation is met. The control section is also configured to switch from the display for failure occurrence notification to a shift position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Tsuyuguchi, Toru Takeda, Naoki Murasawa
  • Patent number: 8465396
    Abstract: A manual valve disconnects a line pressure oil passage and an R position pressure oil passage when a selector is in a D position or an N position and causes the R position pressure oil passage and the line pressure oil passage to communicate when the selector is in an R position. A switching valve is switched to disconnect a low & reverse brake pressure oil passage and the R position pressure oil passage when the selector is in the D position or the N position and a vehicle is driving at a vehicle speed equal to or lower than a predetermined vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Ikuhiro Iwamoto, Osamu Sato
  • Patent number: 8417411
    Abstract: A control system may include a polarity determination module, a torque variation module, and a torque sensor diagnostic module. The polarity determination module determines a first polarity of a torque signal that indicates a transmission torque. The torque sensor diagnostic module diagnoses an error of a torque sensor when an detected polarity of the torque signal is opposite from the first polarity. A control system may include a torque variation module and a torque sensor diagnostic module. The torque variation module determines a maximum torque variation during a predetermined diagnostic period based on the torque signal. The torque sensor diagnostic module diagnoses an error of a torque sensor when the maximum torque variation is outside of a torque variation range. The torque variation range is defined by a minimum torque variation threshold and a maximum torque variation threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Randall B. Dlugoss
  • Patent number: 8392076
    Abstract: In a control of a vehicular automatic transmission, an engaging device provided in a power transmission path between an engine and driving wheels is brought into a slipping state or a release state when a certain neutral control condition is satisfied while a shift lever is placed in a running position, the engaging device is engaged so as to increase a torque transmission capacity thereof when a certain neutral control cancellation condition is satisfied during neutral control under which the engaging device is in the slipping state or the release state, and an engaging pressure of the engaging device is held at a constant pressure level for a given period of time when an accelerator pedal is depressed while the engaging device is engaged so as to increase the torque transmission capacity thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobufusa Kobayashi, Yoshio Hasegawa, Naoto Komeno, Norihiro Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 8380408
    Abstract: A speed change control system for an industrial vehicle includes: a speed ratio detecting unit that detects a speed ratio of speeds of an input shaft and of an output shaft of a torque converter; a torque converter speed ratio-based speed changer that shifts up or shifts down a speed stage of a transmission 3 in response to the detected speed ratio; a vehicle speed detection unit that detects a speed of the vehicle; a mode selection unit that selects any one of an L-mode and an H-mode; and a speed change control unit that permits an upshift provided that the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a first predetermined value when the L-mode is selected whereas permits the upshift provided that the vehicle speed is higher than another predetermined value which is larger that the predetermined value when the H-mode is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hyodo, Tetsuji Tanaka, Eiichi Sakai, Nobuhiro Suzuki, Koji Takano
  • Patent number: 8321098
    Abstract: A method for controlling and/or regulating a multi-step automatic transmission of a vehicle in which an upshift is prevented if a power limit, of the motor of the vehicle, is reached such that, when a driving situation in which the power limit of the motor is reached and recognized, the motor speed (n) is set at a predetermined limit value (nLimit). In addition, a system for implementing the method according to the invention is also proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Matthias Winkel
  • Patent number: 8301351
    Abstract: A parameter ?(OUT) having an accelerator pedal position, a vehicle speed and a drive force as components is set according to information representing a driver's operation and information representing running environment of a vehicle. A gear is set according to the parameter ?(OUT) and a map determining the gear based on the accelerator pedal position, the vehicle speed and the drive force. A gear shift line is defined such that a rate of increase of the drive force with respect to the vehicle speed is zero or more. A down-shift line is defined such that the drive force decreases with increase in accelerator pedal position. Down-shift after up-shift as well as the up-shift after the down-shift are inhibited when both a condition that an amount of change of the accelerator pedal position after last gear shift is larger than a threshold and a condition that an amount of change of the drive force after the last gear shift is larger than the threshold are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Masato Kaigawa
  • Patent number: 8287431
    Abstract: When shifting an automatic transmission into a higher gear, it is determined that an inertia phase has started when an input rotation speed of the automatic transmission has started to decrease. Here, if throttle opening amount reduction control is being performed to reduce the output torque of the engine when it is determined that the inertia phase has started, it is highly likely that that determination is erroneous because that control causes the input rotation speed of the automatic transmission (i.e., the engine speed) to decrease. When it is highly likely that the determination that the inertia phase has started is erroneous in this way, learning of a hydraulic pressure command value is prohibited. As a result, erroneous learning of the hydraulic pressure command value can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobufusa Kobayashi, Toshio Sugimura, Tomohiro Asami, Takaaki Tokura, Yoshio Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8246518
    Abstract: The invention is a transmission shifting system for a vehicle, the vehicle having a transmission having a push-pull and rotating member for operating the transmission movable in an H pattern. In detail, the invention includes a first reversible electric motor coupled to the member for moving the member backwards and forwards. A second reversible electric motor is coupled to the member for rotating the member clockwise and counter-clockwise. The second motor coupled to the member by means of a biasing assembly such that a biasing force can be applied to the member when the second motor rotates without the member rotating. A transmission shifter control system is provided for sequencing the operation of the first and second motors so to move the member in the H pattern upon receipt of an actuation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: American Supercars and Prototypes
    Inventors: Christopher Charles Trevino, Gerhard Heinrich Fiedler
  • Patent number: 8224541
    Abstract: A hydraulic control device for an automatic transmission that includes a fail-safe function to establish a fail-safe traveling state where a predetermined shift speed is established, and a fail-safe stopping state where the primary pressure to all of the hydraulic servos is cut-off when a failure occurs. The hydraulic control device is able to switch between the fail-safe traveling state and the fail-safe stopping state even after a failure occurs, thereby enhancing a limp-mode function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignees: Aisin AW Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuhei Yoshioka, Kazuyuki Noda, Naoki Itazu, Yoshinobu Nozaki
  • Patent number: 8224537
    Abstract: A clutch temperature prediction module for a dual clutch transmission (DCT) includes at least one clutch slip power module that determines a first clutch slip power of a first clutch and a second clutch slip power of a second clutch. A temperature calculation module receives the first clutch slip power, the second clutch slip power, an ambient air temperature, an engine oil temperature, and a transmission oil temperature, and calculates at least one clutch plate temperature and a clutch housing temperature based on the first clutch slip power, the second clutch slip power, the ambient air temperature, the engine oil temperature, and the transmission oil temperature using a linear time-invariant (LTI) model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventors: Markus Olsson, Ulf Gimbergsson
  • Patent number: 8197388
    Abstract: A method of automatically engaging a parking lock or an automatic or automated gearbox of a motor vehicle, which can be engaged depending on a drive position selected by the driver of the motor vehicle, by way of a selector device and depending on other operating parameters. In order to achieve as little restriction of the drivability of the motor vehicle as possible, without neglecting the safety of the driver and surroundings, two different complex embodiments of an Auto_P function for automatically engaging the parking lock are proposed, if the motor vehicle is at least approximately stopped and, at the same time, an ignition circuit acting on the drive motor of the motor vehicle is electrically interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Armin Gierling, Walter Hecht
  • Patent number: 8185282
    Abstract: A method for the operation of a drivetrain comprising an automatic transmission, a motor and at least five shift elements in which two shift elements are engaged and three shift elements are disengaged. When carrying out an upshift or downshift, a first shift element is either disengaged or engaged, and a second shift element is engaged or disengaged. While the first upshift or downshift is being carried out, a second shift element is prepared for disengaging or engaging and a third shift element is prepared for engaging or disengaging. Actuation of the second shift element occurs by virtue of a minimum selection of a first alternative or a maximum selection a second alternative. While the first upshift or downshift is being carried out and while the second upshift or downshift is being carried out, at least one fourth shift element is kept engaged or nearly engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Christian Popp
  • Patent number: 8177681
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicular power transmitting apparatus, having engaging devices including a one-way clutch, is disclosed which prevents a locked state of the one-way clutch from causing the occurrence of slippages of other engaging devices to avoid a drop in durability of the engaging device. To achieve this object, engaging a plurality of engaging devices in combined operations allows a plurality of gear positions to be established. A shifting mechanism (vehicular power transmitting apparatus) 10 is provided wherein at least one of the plural engaging devices includes a one-way clutch F1. The shifting mechanism switches a method of selecting a gear position at S3 depending on a shift position of a shift lever 52, determined at S1, and a vehicle running direction determined at S2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tooru Matsubara, Atsushi Tabata, Masakazu Kaifuku
  • Patent number: 8180535
    Abstract: The inventive method for controlling the gear change of an automatic gearbox provided with distinct shifting rules or variograms used according to a vehicle operating conditions consists in detecting and carrying out gear shifting requests sequential to the shifting rule or variogram switching, subject to the application of specific conditions only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Christian Taffin, Carine Poisson
  • Patent number: 8147379
    Abstract: A control device, in which a shift-up control is automatically executed when an engine's over revolution with a turbine speed for a shift gear set by a manual shift mode exceeding a preset limit speed A is executed, is configured such that a controller detects an engine's over revolution (Yes in step s2), and cancels the shift-up control (step s8) when detecting a closing change of an accelerator opening by a specified angle (Yes in step s5) during a period of time from an output timing of a shift-up command (step s4) to specified timing of an inertia phase start I (Yes in step s6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Itsuo Hyakutake
  • Patent number: 8113988
    Abstract: A detection scheme for diagnosing failure of clutch control components in a hydraulic control module of a power transmission utilizes pressure switch sensors to detect the position of each of the valves associated with the clutch control mechanization. The mechanization of these sensors with the valves provides the ability to clearly define the position of each of the valves, while also enabling the transmission electro-hydraulic control module (TEHCM) to diagnose the state of health of each pressure switch. The detection scheme may then differentiate between a failed switch and a failed (e.g., “stuck” or “out of position”) valve, while preventing unexpected and undesired shift sequencing within the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Michael D. Foster
  • Patent number: 8108113
    Abstract: A method (42) for preventing incorrect gear shifts in automatic transmissions (14) of motor vehicles comprising the following steps: determining a current output torque (Mis) of a source gear (GSOURCE); generating a history of output torques by storing the current output torque in the source gear (GSOURCE) for a time interval having a predetermined duration; determining an absolute value of a minimal output torque (Mmin) and an absolute value of a maximum output torque (Mmax) from the history (60) of output torques, comparing the two values and determining the greater absolute value; determining (S3) an absolute value of a target torque (MTARGET) of a target gear (GTARGET), if an instruction for a gear change exists; comparing (S4) the absolute value of the target torque (MTARGET) with the greater absolute value; and shifting (S5) the transmission (14) from the source gear (GSOURCE) to the target gear (GTARGET), if the absolute value of the target torque (MTARGET) is less than or equal to the greater absolute
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: GETRAG Getriebe- und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG
    Inventor: Martin Seufert
  • Patent number: 8062180
    Abstract: A method of automatically engaging a parking lock or an automatic or automated gearbox of a motor vehicle, which can be engaged depending on a drive position selected by the driver of the motor vehicle, by way of a selector device and depending on other operating parameters. In order to achieve as little restriction of the drivability of the motor vehicle as possible, without neglecting the safety of the driver and surroundings, two different complex embodiments of an Auto_P function for automatically engaging the parking lock are proposed, if the motor vehicle is at least approximately stopped and, at the same time, an ignition circuit acting on the drive motor of the motor vehicle is electrically interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Armin Gierling, Walter Hecht
  • Patent number: 8062177
    Abstract: A method of selecting a neutral position of an automatic or automated transmission and a parking gear to immobilize a motor vehicle. The neutral position and parking device can be set or activated, depending on a gear selected by the driver with a selector device and depending on other vehicle operating parameters. Only when the motor vehicle is at least substantially stationary, an ignition circuit acting on the drive motor vehicle is electrically interrupted and a “Neutral” (N) gear is selected by a selector device occur simultaneously, can an N-holding phase, in which the transmission is in a friction-free neutral position, be activated by a separate control device provided in addition to the selector device, as long as an energy management system of the motor vehicle allows activation of the N-holding phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Walter Hecht, Armin Gierling, Klaus Steinhauser, Frank Worms, Bernd Zänglein, Stéphane Klein
  • Patent number: 8062176
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the automatic control of a neutral position and a parking lock of an automatic or automated motor vehicle transmission, such that the neutral position and the parking lock of the transmission provided in order to immobilize the motor vehicle can be engaged as a function of a drive setting selected by the driver of the motor vehicle using a selector device, and as a function of other operating parameters of the vehicle. In addition, the invention concerns a motor vehicle controlled by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Walter Hecht, Armin Gierling, Klaus Steinhauser, Frank Worms, Bernd Zänglein, Stéphane Klein
  • Patent number: 8065063
    Abstract: A shift-by-speech transmission system with intelligent shifting algorithm allows a driver or a motorcyclist to choose a desired gear by voice command. An intuitive and engaging shift-by-speech technology disclosed in the present invention, called “VoiceShift”, allows the driver or the motorcyclist to switch gears by voice commands. VoiceShift also allows the driver or the motorcyclist to skip-shift gears in non-sequential manner, thereby giving the driver a sense of freedom and excitement similar to a stick-shift manual transmission vehicle. A novel intelligent shifting algorithm of the shift-by-speech transmission system is capable of auto-correcting the driver's judgment error in skip-shifting by engaging a closest mechanically-safe gear to the driver's desired gear issued via voice command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventor: Samuel Seungmin Cho