Engine Starting Interlock Patents (Class 477/99)
  • Patent number: 11440526
    Abstract: A control method for an SSC function and an ISG function includes: determining, by a controller, whether a SSC activation condition is satisfied based on a vehicle running state information; stopping, by the controller, an engine and activating the SSC function by controlling a transmission to neutral when the SSC activation condition is satisfied; determining, by the controller, whether a first ISG operation condition including a first reference vehicle speed is satisfied based on the vehicle running state information in a state that the SSC function is activated; and deactivating, by the controller, the SSC function and activating the ISG function when it is determined that the first ISG operation condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jung Hwan Bang, Jun Yong Lee
  • Patent number: 11279365
    Abstract: An in-vehicle control apparatus which executes various functions of a vehicle and a method for controlling the same are provided. The in-vehicle operating apparatus includes an operating unit assembly and a drive unit that is configured to rotate the operating unit assembly about one axis. The operating unit assembly includes a body, a first operating unit disposed at a first side of the body and configured to receive a first command to execute at least a first function, and a second operating unit disposed at a second side of the body opposite to the first side of the body and configured to receive a second command to execute at least a second function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jae Hyeong Cho, Yeon Ji Kang, Pill Yoon Kim, Jae Min Park
  • Patent number: 11192585
    Abstract: A lower body structure includes a floor panel forming a floor surface of a vehicle interior, a floor cross member extending in a vehicle width direction above the floor panel, a console support bracket supporting a console at the center of the floor panel and mounted to the floor cross member, and a shift lever support bracket having an upper part supporting the shift lever and a lower part fixed to the console support bracket in front and rear portions. A mount point at which the shift lever is mounted to the shift lever support bracket is offset forward with respect to front and rear side fixing parts in which the shift lever support bracket is fixed to the console support bracket in the front and rear portions, and the front side fixing part of the console support bracket has a rigidity higher than the rear side fixing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yamato Matsuda, Nobuyuki Nakayama, Morihide Yamada
  • Patent number: 11167651
    Abstract: A method of controlling vibration reduction of a vehicle is capable of efficiently reducing vibration occurring when entering a P range on a ramp. The method includes: when an input to a parking range is received, determining whether or not a predetermined condition for entering a vibration reduction control mode is satisfied; when the entering condition is satisfied, calculating a motor torque for reducing vibration due to backlash by using the driving information; controlling a driving motor so as to output the calculated motor torque; controlling the parking device such that the parking range is engaged; determining whether or not a brake is released; and if the brake is released, reducing a motor torque output by the driving motor so that vibration due to the backlash is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Young Kwan Ko, Jun Mo An, Woo Cheol Cho, Soo Lim Han
  • Patent number: 11125320
    Abstract: A gear lever for a motor-vehicle gearbox includes an elongated body, an actuating member arranged on the elongated body and a transmission member arranged within an inner passage of the elongated body. The transmission member is operatively connected to the actuation member and is configured to transmit movement of the actuation member to a controlled member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: FCA Italy S.p.A.
    Inventors: Vincenzo Nuara, Dario Luvison, Paolo Mancin
  • Patent number: 11046287
    Abstract: A controller is integrated into a vehicle with the controller coupled to a fob detector and also coupled to a vehicle disabler. Examples of vehicle disablers include a brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI), a transmission shift interlock (TSI) and an air brake or electric parking brake of the vehicle. The fob detector can be provided along with the controller and separate from a mechanical key ignition of the vehicle, or can be a fob detector associated with a keyless ignition of the vehicle. A mobile fob is used as part of the system, carried on the person of an authorized driver of the vehicle. This fob can be provided separately from the vehicle, along with the controller, or can be a fob associated with a keyless entry of the vehicle. The controller causes the vehicle disabler to not be disengaged unless presence of the fob is detected by the fob detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: InterMotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Schafer, Dan C. Mower, Erin M. West, Ryan B. Ebuen
  • Patent number: 10992705
    Abstract: An important new vulnerability was discovered and is applicable to several in-vehicle networks including Control Area Network (CAN), the de facto standard in-vehicle network protocol. Specifically, a bus-off attack exploits the safe mode of CAN to disconnect or shut down uncompromised (healthy) ECUs. This is an important attack that must be thwarted, since once the attacker compromises an ECU, it is easy to mount the attack on safety-critical ECUs while its prevention/detection is very difficult. Based on analysis and experimental results, a mechanism to detect and/or prevent a bus-off attack is proposed and evaluated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Kang G. Shin, Kyong-Tak Cho
  • Patent number: 10487790
    Abstract: A vehicle start/stop method includes inhibiting auto-stopping an engine responsive to an engine auto-stop command, activating a transmission gear shifter, and a rotational speed of a steering wheel being less than a threshold; auto-stopping the engine responsive to the engine auto-stop command, activating the gear shifter, and the rotational speed being greater than the threshold; auto-starting the engine responsive to activating the gear shifter and the rotational speed being less than the threshold while the engine is auto-stopped; and inhibiting auto-starting the engine responsive to activating the gear shifter and the rotational speed being greater than the threshold while the engine is auto-stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Siraj Siddiqui, Ahmed Awadi, Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy, Hussam Makkiya, Andrew Moen
  • Patent number: 10414375
    Abstract: Lock cylinder for an ignition starter switch or a wheel lock at a vehicle with a cylinder core which is at least pivotably received in a cylinder housing. At least one blocking member prevents a rotation of the cylinder core in the cylinder housing in a blocking position and in a releasing position releases a rotation in the cylinder housing. A key channel extends through the cylinder core in which a key is insertable and with which the blocking member is movable between the blocking position and the releasing position. At least two rotation positions can be occupied. In the off-position a key is insertable and detractable in the key channel and in the starting position a vehicle starter can be switched on. A mechanical resetting block prevents a resetting of the cylinder core from the starting position to the off-position by a simple rotation of the cylinder core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Friedrich Pieper
  • Patent number: 10377234
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for activating a vehicle ignition system. An example vehicle includes an ignition system, a plurality of sensors, and a processor. The processor a processor is configured to determine, based on data received from the sensors, (i) that a person occupies a driver's seat of the vehicle, (ii) that a key fob corresponding to the vehicle is present, and (iii) that an input has been received at a shifter of the vehicle. The processor is also configured to responsively activate the ignition system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nathaniel Abram Rolfes, Steven R El Aile, Mohamad Wajih Issam Farhat, Kassem Moustafa, Domenic Miccinilli, Mauricio Alexander Munoz
  • Patent number: 10192666
    Abstract: A magnetic device for locking a gear shift lever of a vehicle in a predetermined position, where the magnetic device has a coil, a tie component, which is or can be movably supported in the coil, and a spring, which is disposed outside the coil, where the spring is designed to push the tie component out of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Joachim Spratte, Thorsten Sander
  • Patent number: 10125705
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed that include an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders operable by a valve actuation mechanism. Staging of engine operating conditions is disclosed to facilitate exit from and/or entrance into a cylinder deactivation event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan A. Dickson, Raymond C. Shute, Matthew D. Flessner
  • Patent number: 9944193
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric power reception unit, a motive power generation apparatus generating on an output shaft a drive force for moving the vehicle, and a vehicle ECU controlling the motive power generation apparatus. The motive power generation apparatus includes a parking gear provided on the output shaft, a parking pole having a protrusion to be fit in a groove of the parking gear, and a drive unit outputting the drive force. The vehicle ECU controls the drive unit so that in a case where the electric power reception unit is located within an area in which electric power can be received from the electric power transmission apparatus and where the motive power generation apparatus has been set to a parking range, the vehicle is moved in a direction that causes the electric power reception unit to approach the electric power transmission apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Taiyo Uejima, Shinji Ichikawa, Toru Nakamura, Satoshi Taniguchi, Shinpei Takita
  • Patent number: 9849863
    Abstract: A parking interlock system and method for a vehicle is provided. The system includes: a safety state information detecting unit, configured to detect safety state information of the vehicle; an operating state information detecting unit, configured to detect operating state information of the vehicle; a brake; a motor; a low voltage controller, connected to the safety state information detecting unit and the brake respectively, and configured to generate a safety state judgment result based on the safety state information of the vehicle; and a motor controller, connected to the safety state information detecting unit and the motor respectively, and configured to control the motor according to the safety state judgment result received from the low voltage controller, and to send the operating state information of the vehicle to the low voltage controller such that the low voltage controller controls the brake according to the operating state information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Wenkui Si, Caihua Pan, Wengang Luo, Jun Wu
  • Patent number: 9783187
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and a controller programmed to autostart and autostop the engine. In an autostopped state, engine autostarts are inhibited in the presence of transient currents caused by activation of electrical loads. Engine autostarts are inhibited for a predetermined duration after activation of the electrical load when a battery current is greater than an autostart current threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy, David Celinske, Hanyang B. Chen, Mohannad Hakeem, Rashad Jamal Allen
  • Patent number: 9769638
    Abstract: There is provided a system for enhancing safety of a vehicle for which an operator wears a helmet, the system comprising an RFID device comprising an RFID tag and an RFID reader adapted to detect whether the helmet is within a proximity distance from the vehicle and to output a first helmet status signal; a helmet presence detector adapted to detect whether the helmet is being worn by the operator and to output a second helmet status signal; and a circuit for receiving safety conditions signals comprising the first and second helmet status signals and for activating an ignition system of the vehicle when safety conditions are detected, the safety conditions comprising when the helmet is detected to be concurrently within the proximity distance and worn by the operator. There is also provided a safety circuit and helmet device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: United Arab Emirates University
    Inventors: Basel Alsayyed Ahmad, Ahmed Altelbani
  • Patent number: 9458924
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric selector control system (5) for a vehicle having an electric drive motor and a battery. The electric selector control system (5) has a drive selector for selecting a vehicle drive mode. A control unit (1) is configured to receive a connection signal to indicate that the vehicle is connected to a charging station. Also, the electric selector control system (5) has a shield for inhibiting operation of the drive selector when the control unit (1) determines that the vehicle is connected to a charging station. The electric selector control system (5) can be combined with a transmission control module (11). The invention also relates to a method of operating an electric selector control system (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventor: David Northall
  • Patent number: 9458925
    Abstract: A vehicle shift system, including a shift pedal, a sensor configured to generate a first signal when the shift pedal moves in a first direction, and a controller coupled to the sensor and configured to control a transmission to change from a first transmission setting to a second transmission setting in response to the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: THUNDER POWER HONG KONG LTD.
    Inventor: Jia-Wei Ding
  • Patent number: 9447865
    Abstract: A transmission operating mechanism includes an operating housing, wherein an inner shifting shaft is provided in the operating housing, and the operating housing is provided with, from left to right, a first position-limiting structure installation hole, a shifting block installation cavity, a second position-limiting structure installation hole and a balancing spring installation cavity; and a shifting block is installed in the shifting block installation cavity and is connected to the inner shifting shaft via a shifting block positioning pin. The spatial position of the operating housing is fully utilized to effectively arrange each functional component, and the requirement for modification is fully considered within the limited dimensional range. Therefore, various operation modes may be achieved by simply providing several modified parts without changing the operating housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: SHAANXI FAST GEAR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fayong Zhang, Lingli Li, Chongyi Yin, Guojie Xu
  • Patent number: 9217638
    Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing an efficiency of engine starting of a hybrid vehicle are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises operating a laser ignition device in an engine cylinder and identifying engine position in response thereto; and igniting an air and fuel mixture in the cylinder with the laser ignition device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller
  • Patent number: 9051886
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle which starts an engine safely by using a remote switch even when a charging plug is connected is provided. The hybrid vehicle can be charged from an external power source. The controller of the hybrid vehicle executes the following process, when an engine start request is received while the charging plug for supplying electric power from the external power source is connected to the vehicle. (1) Starting an engine if charging is not performed and a shift lever is at a parking position when a request for starting the engine (remote start request) is received from a remote switch outside the vehicle, and rejecting a remote start request if the shift lever is at a position other than a parking position. (2) Rejecting a request for starting the engine from a switch provided in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Nomura
  • Patent number: 9046046
    Abstract: A brake ECU executes a program including: the step of executing a first brake hydraulic pressure control for preventing decrease of brake hydraulic pressure regardless of decrease in an amount of operation of a brake pedal, if position is at a P position and the amount of operation of the brake pedal is determined to be decreasing; and the step of executing a normal, second hydraulic pressure control if the position is not the P position and the amount of operation of the brake pedal is not determined to be decreasing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichiro Muta
  • Publication number: 20150119196
    Abstract: A method for operating a drive train of a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine, automatic transmission and at least one drive axle, is disclosed wherein in order to save fuel during the driving mode when the accelerator pedal is not activated a clutch device which is associated with the automatic transmission is opened and subsequently the internal combustion engine is shut down. When the accelerator pedal is activated again the internal combustion engine is started and in the automatic transmission the highest possible gear speed for the reconnection is firstly selected and so that the revving up time of the engine rotational speed is as short as possible, with the result that the necessary drive torque which is generated by the internal combustion engine can be made available at the drive axle as quickly as possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Andreas Schiergl
  • Patent number: 8936531
    Abstract: A stop/start system of a micro-hybrid vehicle may selectively initiate an engine auto start in response to a PRNDL gear lever/transmission being moved/shifted out of DRIVE after an engine auto stop and a determination that the vehicle is located, for example, in an intersection or railroad crossing prior to the PRNDL gear lever/transmission being moved/shifted into REVERSE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sangeetha Sangameswaran, Mathew Alan Boesch, J. Anthony Lockwood, George Edmund Walley
  • Publication number: 20140357449
    Abstract: A process is provided for preparing a defined starting operation of a motor vehicle selectable by the driver, having a starting element arranged between an engine and a transmission. In the event of a maximal power demand by the driver and in the event of the selection of the defined starting operation by an electronic control unit, the rotational speed or the torque of the engine is set to a specified value, wherein the specified value is automatically determined by the electronic control unit as function of a determined friction parameter, by which at least one relative prediction concerning the transmissible drive torque to he expected for the acceleration operation can be made, such that, by use of the specified during the starting and acceleration operation following the preparation, the maximally possible drive torque is achieved for the best possible acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Daniel WEIS
  • Patent number: 8876655
    Abstract: A control strategy for launching a motor vehicle includes using an electric motor to provide high torque at low speeds during synchronization of launch clutches. An internal combustion engine is started and connected with the electric motor to provide additional torque capacity. Selective engagement and disengagement of an engine disconnect clutch prevents the engine start from interfering with the motor vehicle launch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Norman Schoenek, Min-Joong Kim, Hong Yang
  • Patent number: 8875596
    Abstract: A steering wheel has at least one shift paddle which is coupled to the steering wheel in such a manner that the shift paddle is movable relative to the steering wheel in order in a contactless manner to trigger a shifting operation. In order to improve the ease of operation when actuating the shift paddle on the steering wheel, the steering wheel is distinguished by a slotted guide mechanism by which a shifting sensation is generated during movement of the shift paddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Markus Walters, Manfred Harrer, Georg Wahl
  • Publication number: 20140323269
    Abstract: An engine-starting device for a vehicle having an engine, a parking lock mechanism and an automatic transmission, the engine-starting device being provided with a drive plate connected to a crankshaft of said engine, an electric motor having a pinion selectively engageable with the drive plate, and an actuator device configured to move said pinion to an engaging position for engagement with said drive plate to start said engine, comprises: said parking lock mechanism having a manual shaft selectively switchable between a rotation permitting position for permitting a rotary motion of an output shaft of said automatic transmission, and a parking lock position for inhibiting the rotary motion of the output shaft; and said actuator device being configured to move said pinion between said engaging position and a non-engaging position for disengagement from said drive plate, said electric motor being connected to said manual shaft to rotate the manual shaft from one of said rotation permitting position and said par
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Masaru Morise, Shinji Oita
  • Patent number: 8864623
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a transmission coupled to an engine during an engine start are presented. In one example, a method adjusts a transmission tie-up force in response to an indication of transmission slip. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Steve Michael Cicala, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Felix Nedorezov, Eric Frank Banners, Hong Jiang, Donald G. Levens
  • Publication number: 20140256509
    Abstract: A remote start vehicle system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes a remote start requester configured to request that the engine be started. The remote start requester is operable to request that the engine be started when the remote start requester is located outside of the vehicle. A control module is configured to cause the engine to be started upon request from the remote start requester. A sensor assembly is configured to sense a neutral gear state of the transmission, where the neutral gear state indicates whether the transmission is in neutral. The sensor assembly is configured to communicate the neutral gear state to the control module. The control module is configured to prevent the engine from being started if the neutral gear state indicates that the transmission is not in neutral. A method of remotely starting an engine is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: William L. Cousins, Bradford W. Bur
  • Patent number: 8814752
    Abstract: It is provided a shift control device for a vehicle having a parking lock device driven by an actuator to selectively switch switching positions between a lock position and an unlock position, wherein when a run-enable operation is made by a driver and a non-running state is switched to a running state, shift position recognizing control is executed for recognizing an initial switching position appearing at the beginning when the running state is established, by driving the actuator in response to switching position information indicative of the switching position on a stage before the running state is established, wherein: the non-running state is configured to be switched to the running state prior to the execution of the run-enable operation; and updating of the switching position information, stored in the switching position information storage device, is permitted to be executed subjected to the switching position recognizing control being executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ichiro Kitaori, Takahiko Tsutsumi, Osamu Kanai, Koki Ueno, Keisuke Sekiya, Toshinari Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20140235406
    Abstract: A stop/start system of a micro-hybrid vehicle may selectively initiate an engine auto start in response to a PRNDL gear lever/transmission being moved/shifted out of DRIVE after an engine auto stop and a determination that the vehicle is located, for example, in an intersection or railroad crossing prior to the PRNDL gear lever/transmission being moved/shifted into REVERSE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Sangeetha Sangameswaran, Mathew Alan Boesch, J. Anthony Lockwood, George Edmund Walley
  • Patent number: 8801570
    Abstract: An ignition control type auto lever device may disclose shift mode control signals for P(parking)-R(rear)-N(neutral)-D(drive) that are generated by movement of an auto lever according to a gate pattern, another mode control signal that is generated by movement of the auto lever to a section behind the D(drive), and electric signals generated by at least one or more different operations of the auto lever at a section positioned ahead of the P(parking) position that are sent to a PIC (Personal Identification Card) system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, SL Corporation
    Inventors: Jeehyuck Choi, Yangrae Cho, Chunnyung Heo, Kwanggi Lee
  • Patent number: 8795135
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling an engine in a vehicle, the engine being coupled to a transmission. One example method comprises, under selected braking conditions, shutting-off the engine and spinning-down the engine to rest while the vehicle is traveling, and in response to a foot-off-brake event, restarting the engine by at least partially engaging the transmission and adjusting engine torque control actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, Gopichandra Surnilla, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Publication number: 20140213413
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle, where the vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and a transmission having a neutral state and an engaged state, includes setting the state of the transmission. The state of the transmission is set as the neutral state or the engaged state based on a restart condition, where the restart condition is one of: (i) a no wheel torque restart condition, and (ii) a wheel torque restart condition. The method additionally includes starting the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Abraham MCGEE, Ihab S. SOLIMAN, Xiaoyong WANG
  • Patent number: 8753250
    Abstract: A method for startup control of a motor vehicle whose drive train comprises a drive engine built as a turbo-charged internal combustion engine, an automated friction clutch, and an automatic stepped transmission, with a startup which is triggered by the activation of the gas pedal from the stationary state, after engagement of a determined startup gear. The driven engine, in conjunction with coordinated engagement of the friction clutch, is controlled from the idle speed to a startup speed and from the idle torque to a determined startup torque. To reduce the load on the friction clutch, the method provides that the lowest possible engine speed, which can be generated spontaneously under load from the idle speed depending on the dynamic operating characteristics of the drive engine and with which the drive engine can generate the determined startup torque, is determined and set as the startup speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Roland Mair
  • Publication number: 20140148308
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle drive-train during a starting process. The drive-train has a drive mechanism which can couple a continuously-variable power-branched transmission in which a plurality of transmission ratios can be engaged. The transmission ratios can be varied continuously by adjusting a variator, the transmission driving a drive output. A force flow between the drive mechanism and the drive output can be produced by a frictional shifting element by appropriately adjusting the transmission capacity of the shifting element. When a start command is issued, a starting transmission ratio is engaged in the area of the transmission device. During the engagement of the starting transmission ratio the transmission capacity of the frictional shifting element is adjusted to values greater than zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stephan SCHINACHER, Marcus HIEMER, Timo MAISE, Jan-Frederik KUHN
  • Publication number: 20140011637
    Abstract: Provided is an automatic stop and restart device for an engine that is capable of suppressing occurrence of an abnormal condition even if a transmission state is changed during an engine restart process after an engine restart condition is satisfied in an automatic engine stop process. A controller performs the automatic engine stop process and the engine restart process. If a determined state of a transmission is a drive range, a transmission state determination unit drives a pinion gear thrust unit at timing determined by a first pinion gear thrust timing determination unit. If the determined state of the transmission is a non-drive range, the transmission state determination unit drives the pinion gear thrust unit at timing determined by a second pinion gear thrust timing determination unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kensuke HAYASHI, Osamu ISHIKAWA, Tomohisa SHODA
  • Patent number: 8574128
    Abstract: Providing a control apparatus for a vehicle having a parking lock device 50 which is placed in its released state with a hydraulic pressure generated by an oil pump 58 operated by an engine 26, which control apparatus permits reduction of a risk of unintended releasing of the parking lock device 50 upon occurrence of an operating failure of an ON-OFF switching valve 72 or a switching valve 70 of a hydraulic device 69 provided to supply the hydraulic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Kimura, Naoki Itazu
  • Publication number: 20130252785
    Abstract: There is provided a shift-by-wire control system including a range switching device that switches engagement or disengagement of a forward engagement element and a reverse engagement element by using an actuator, a range switching operation unit by which a driver inputs a range switching operation, and a range switching control unit that controls the actuator of the range switching device on the basis of the state of the range switching operation unit. The shift-by-wire control system further includes vehicle start preparation state determination units for determining a vehicle start preparation state. When the vehicle start preparation state determination unit determines that the vehicle start preparation state is incomplete, the range switching control unit executes running prohibition control by which the forward engagement element and the reverse engagement element are all disengaged, regardless of the state of the range switching operation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Kinoshita, Koichi Inoue
  • Patent number: 8540605
    Abstract: A system for controlling a transfer of torque from an engine to a manual transmission having a plurality of shiftable gears includes a selectively releasable and re-engageable clutch. The clutch is arranged inside the transmission and configured to transmit torque of the engine to the transmission when the clutch is in an engaged state. The system also includes a lever operatively connected to the transmission and movable to shift the gears. Additionally, the system includes an input device arranged on the lever and operable to selectively release and re-engage the clutch. A vehicle employing such a system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Prabhakar R. Marur
  • Patent number: 8515635
    Abstract: A method and system provides a Brake Transmission Shift Interlock Override mode in a vehicle including a shift-by-wire transmission. With power applied and ignition on, a driver will press and hold an override switch for a calibrated time. While the override switch is pressed, the driver presses a non-Park button for another calibrated time. The result will be that the vehicle is placed in the selected range wherein the transmission will not automatically shift to Park upon detecting a triggering event. The driver is able to shift the vehicle from Park, even if an electrical failure prevents the transmission from shifting out of Park. As such the vehicle can be driven until the failure is serviced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Curtis Spaulding, Brian J Deurloo, Mark Edward Zyskowski, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Turnavitch, Christopher Lee Danks, David Spuller, Charles C Poon, Matthew Luke Fyie
  • Patent number: 8485941
    Abstract: A driver controllable low speed mode for a stop/start technology-equipped vehicle. The vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine with stop/start technology having an engine controller, a transmission connected to the internal combustion engine, and a shifter connected to the transmission and the engine controller. The shifter is operable to place the transmission into one of a plurality of operating modes, the operating modes including at least a low speed mode wherein stop/start technology is disabled. The engine controller is operable to detect vehicle operation above a speed or acceleration threshold and cause an audible chime or message to be played or a visual cue displayed to prompt the driver to deactivate the low speed mode. The engine controller is further operable to detect a sustained acceleration attempt when the transmission is in low speed mode and to disable low speed mode for a predetermined period of time upon this detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Brian E. Beechie, John D. Mueller, Jeffrey M. Orzechowski, Anurag Peter Varma
  • Publication number: 20130150208
    Abstract: A coast stop vehicle for automatically stopping a drive source when a predetermined condition holds during the travel of the vehicle includes a drive source control unit adapted to control the automatic stop and the restart of the drive source, a transmission mechanism provided between the drive source and drive wheels, and a transmission control unit adapted to control a speed ratio of the transmission mechanism. When the drive source is restarted, the transmission control unit is adapted to control the transmission mechanism to a speed ratio higher than a predetermined speed ratio in response to an input shift request to the predetermined speed ratio, and the drive source control unit is adapted to restart the drive source in a state where the speed ratio of the transmission mechanism is higher than the predetermined speed ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: JATCO LTD
    Inventor: Jatco Ltd
  • Publication number: 20130143715
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for starting an engine in a hybrid vehicle being driven by an electric motor is disclosed. The motor is operably configured to deliver mechanical power through an automatic transmission to at least one vehicle drive wheel to cause an acceleration of the vehicle. The method involves coupling the engine to the motor to cause an inertial load on the motor thus causing the motor to decelerate to a reduced rotational speed to provide a starting torque to the engine for starting the engine, and causing the automatic transmission to change gear ratio to a target gear ratio associated with the reduced rotational speed while causing the motor to decelerate, the motor being operable to deliver increased torque at the reduced rotational speed, thereby generally maintaining the acceleration of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: AZURE DYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventor: AZURE DYNAMICS, INC.
  • Patent number: 8414455
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a transmission shifting means, an authorization means, an engine, and a control system. The transmission shifting means is capable of being shifted between a first position and a second position, where the first position represents a start mode. The authorization means adapted to detect an identification signal and to supply an authorization signal indicating the identification signal has been verified. The engine is adapted to turn on and to turn off. The control system is in operable communication with the transmission shifting means, the authorization means, and the engine. When the transmission shifting means is shifted to the first position, the transmission shifting means sends a first signal to the control system, the control system detects whether the authorization signal has been received from the authorization means, and if received, the control system provides a first command to the engine to turn on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Scott A. McCullough, Ingobert K. Lassrich, David T. Proefke, Fred W. Huntzicker
  • Publication number: 20130085035
    Abstract: A method for improving starting of an engine that may be repeatedly stopped and started is presented. In one embodiment, the method adjusts a transmission tie-up force in response to engine starting. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Hong Jiang, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Felix Nedorezov, Seung-Hoon Lee, Yuji Fujii
  • Patent number: 8406944
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a start-protection system for an engine of a marine vessel. The engine has gears and a shift actuator for operatively shifting the gears. The system includes a first position sensor disposed to operatively sense whether the engine is in a forward, neutral or a reverse gear position. The first position sensor generates a signal representative of the gear position. The system includes a second position sensor adjacent to a shift control which controls shift functions of the engine. The second position sensor generates a signal representative of the position of the shift control. The system includes processing means. The processing means are configured to receive the signals of the position sensors, determine the gear position and the position of the shift control and enable the engine to start upon determining that both the shift control and the engine are in neutral positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventors: Pierre Garon, Neil Garfield Allyn, Ray Tat Lung Wong
  • Patent number: 8380400
    Abstract: An HV-ECU performs a program including the steps of: determining whether or not the HV-ECU is in an auto-P execution state; determining whether or not a predetermined time period Tb has elapsed since an auto-P was requested; and permitting determination of the shifting operation if the HV-ECU is in the auto-P execution state and if it is determined that the predetermined time period Tb has elapsed since the auto-P was requested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Kanai, Takahiko Tsutsumi, Ichiro Kitaori
  • Publication number: 20130040780
    Abstract: A method for startup control of a motor vehicle whose drive train comprises a drive engine built as a turbo-charged internal combustion engine, an automated friction clutch, and an automatic stepped transmission, with a startup which is triggered by the activation of the gas pedal from the stationary state, after engagement of a determined startup gear. The driven engine, in conjunction with coordinated engagement of the friction clutch, is controlled from the idle speed to a startup speed and from the idle torque to a determined startup torque. To reduce the load on the friction clutch, the method provides that the lowest possible engine speed, which can be generated spontaneously under load from the idle speed depending on the dynamic operating characteristics of the drive engine and with which the drive engine can generate the determined startup torque, is determined and set as the startup speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Roland Mair