With Clutch Control Patents (Class 477/70)
  • Patent number: 6216074
    Abstract: A method for controlling the fill time of an oncoming transmission clutch of a vehicle within a predetermined range of speed conditions is disclosed, the method including the steps of: (a) sensing an engine speed within the predetermined range; (b) reading an incremental pulse time value corresponding to the speed sensed in step (a); and (c) determining an adjusted pulse time value using the incremental pulse value read in step (b) and a predetermined nominal pulse time value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan R. Hillman, Danial P. Simon
  • Patent number: 6157883
    Abstract: For an electro-hydraulically controlled automatic transmission (2) in which shifts are performed by overlapping, a method is proposed for increasing the spontaneity, in which a variable hold time is introduced for a disengaging clutch. This variable hold time is a function of the rotational speed differential of a transmission input speed (nT) and the temperature of the hydraulic fluid (.THETA.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christian Popp, Friedrich Tenbrock, Hansjorg Rosi
  • Patent number: 6088645
    Abstract: The present invention is a control device and a control method for a transmission with a clutch, by which the clutch is smoothly coupled without generation of shocks or the like in a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuaki Kawasaki, Takashi Kuse, Akira Shibata
  • Patent number: 6080085
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control system, in particular an emergency control system, of an automatic clutch. The clutch can operate with slip controlled by the driving speed when engaged, or can be disengaged or remain disengaged when the engine speed is excessive, and can also be disengaged when there is an idling signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignees: Luk Getriebe-systeme GmbH, DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Franz Kosik, Michael Salecker, Martin Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 6070117
    Abstract: A speed change control system for a synchromesh type transmission includes a synchromesh mechanism having a sleeve ring adapted to be moved in the axial direction of an output shaft to mesh with an idle gear to fix the idle gear on the output shaft, and a shift actuator adapted for acting on a shift fork connected to the sleeve ring, to effect engagement/disengagement between the sleeve ring and the idle gear. A pressure control device is provided for making variable the pressure to be applied to the shift fork by the shift actuator. The pressure control device sets the pressure so high from the speed change start to the balk point that the shift fork is able move as fast as possible and so low from the balk point onward that shift shock is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Yamada, Makoto Ohmori
  • Patent number: 5957806
    Abstract: A shift control apparatus for a transmission coupled to a power source via a clutch includes an electronic control unit for delivering a shift command giving instructions for a gear shifting, and a gear shift unit for performing the gear shifting in response to the shift command. The electronic control unit delivers, in association with the shift command, a first clutch stroke command varying between off-clutch and an on-clutch positions. The shift control apparatus includes a hydraulic master cylinder producing a hydraulic pressure which serves as a second clutch stroke command and which varies in accordance with the operational position of a clutch pedal, and an air cylinder unit with a hydraulic cylinder section for switching the clutch between the off-clutch and on-clutch positions. The air cylinder unit operates in accordance with one of the first and second clutch stroke commands which represents a target clutch plate position closer to the off-clutch state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshito Hirose, Kouichi Ikeya, Takao Nishina, Masakatu Kenmoku
  • Patent number: 5813943
    Abstract: A control system for an automatic transmission includes: a clutch adapted to be applied when a forward running range is selected, to transmit the rotation of an engine to the transmission mechanism of a speed change unit and a hydraulic servo for applying/releasing the clutch. A control unit controls oil pressure fed to the hydraulic servo and includes: an application starting pressure detector for detecting application starting pressure at the instant when the application of the clutch is started; an initial application pressure setter for setting an initial application pressure on the basis of the detected application starting pressure; and an oil pressure regulator for adjusting the oil pressure fed to the hydraulic servo, when a change is made to a forward running range, and then gradually raising that oil pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuki Kousaka, Masahiro Hayabuchi, Yoshihisa Yamamoto, Hiroshi Tsutsui, Yasuhiro Fujita
  • Patent number: 5766110
    Abstract: A control system for a starting clutch installed in an automotive vehicle. The starting clutch is arranged between the engine and at least one wheel of the vehicle, for controlling engagement between the engine and the at least one wheel. A basic torque capacity of the starting clutch is calculated based on the rotational speed of the engine, and a torque capacity correction value is determined such that it assumes a minimal value when a clutch speed ratio of the starting clutch detected by a clutch speed ratio sensor is equal to 1.0 and progressively increases as the clutch speed ratio increases and decreases from 1.0. The determined torque capacity correction value is changed based on the throttle valve opening, and the torque capacity of the starting clutch is determined based on the changed torque capacity correction value and the calculated basic torque capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yutaka Kanno, Hideo Koyama, Masaaki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 5683328
    Abstract: A shift control system for an automatic is designed to prevent engine racing and clutch tie-up during a clutch-to-clutch shift (clutch switching shift) involving engagement/disengagement of first and second frictional engagement elements. The shift control system includes an engagement force controller for independently controlling both of the frictional engagement elements. A gear ratio calculator continuously calculates a gear ratio r of the transmission and a shift characteristic value calculator calculates a shift characteristic value .alpha. based on changes in the gear ratio between the start of the shift and completion of the shift. A control value calculator calculates a control value .beta., based on the shift characteristic value .alpha. calculated by the shift characteristic value calculator and a shift characteristic value .alpha.I on an ideal gear ratio curve. The control value .beta. is calculated so that the shift characteristic value .alpha. coincides with the shift characteristic value .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Frank de Schepper, Kenji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5679099
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a clutch of a motor vehicle connected to an engine and having a driving and a driven rotating member. The apparatus is capable of controlling an amount of slip of the clutch during starting of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shogo Kato, Koichi Sugihara, Yasuji Taketsuna, Tomoyuki Maeda
  • Patent number: 5568387
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method and an arrangement for implementation of that method for obtaining safer and quicker upshifts while maintaining gear change comfort, using computer-assisted systems for gear change in mechanical gearboxes in motor vehicles, preferably without clutch disengagement between engine and gearbox. In connection with upshift, an exhaust brake is activated, (EB.sub.on) at time t.sub.1 in parallel with the fuel (FUEL) to the engine being reduced to zero quantity. The engine speed n.sub.2 is thereby reduced more quickly to the speed n.sub.1 which is the synchronous engine speed for the next higher gear. The speed reduction is monitored with a view to achieving rapid engine speed bracketing to synchronous speed, and also good gear change smoothness and safe gear engagement. The exhaust brake switch-off point EB.sub.off at time t.sub.2 is adjusted adaptively for subsequent upshift by a connection factor EBA.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Scania CV Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Roger Andersson
  • Patent number: 5566070
    Abstract: A control method/system for sensing deflection-type gear neutral signal (GNS) errors in an automated mechanical transmission system (10) is provided. A gear neutral sensor (76/76A) provides signals indicative of axial position in a remote shift shaft (56) from which the neutral and not-neutral positioning of associated jaw clutch members (144) is inferred. Deflections in the shift members, such as the shift yokes (50), may result in erroneous indications of a neutral condition, which is a deflection-type gear neutral signal error sensed by the control of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Mack, Gregory J. Organek, Daniel G. Smedley
  • Patent number: 5487005
    Abstract: A control system/method for controlling a vehicular, at least partially automated system (110) separate from the vehicular transmission system (10), such as a CTIS or ABS, is provided. The at least partially automated system is controlled as a function of a value (GCW) approximating vehicle gross combined weight and determined as a function of information on the vehicle electronic data link (DL).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas A. Genise
  • Patent number: 5449329
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the clutches in a vehicle powershift transmission. The control system includes a microprocessor which periodically executes an algorithm and which has a memory in which is stored a sequential set of time reference values and a sequential set of pressure values. The control system applies to each oncoming element a fill pressure pulse for fill periods which are unique for each element. The control system determines shift time values, subsequent to filling of the control elements, as a function of the fill period. The control system applies pressure signals to the control elements at times represented by the shift time values which are unique for each element. The control system determines, subsequent to a realignment time, realignment shift time values which are the same for all of the control elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: David E. Brandon, Peter L. Falck, Dennis L. Jeffries
  • Patent number: 5425689
    Abstract: A control system/method for an at least partially automated mechanical transmission system (10), inclading a controller (106) operated engine brake (EB), is provided. The control system/method is effective to determine if selected upshifts into a target gear ratio are feasible (212, 214) or not feasible (216) under current vehicle operating conditions and to prohibit the initiation of not feasible selected upshifts. The transmission system includes an engine brake actuator (23A) operable by the system controller (106). selected upshifts are evaluated and will be implemented, if feasible, in a sequence wherein feasibility is a function of engine deceleration (dES/dt), and engine deceleration is assigned expected values at minimum to progressively greater engine braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas A. Genise