Semiautomatic Control (e.g., Switchable Between Automatic And Manual) Patents (Class 701/52)
  • Publication number: 20090171541
    Abstract: A control system for an automatic transmission is provided with a manual shift mode capable of performing a shift command made by manual operation. While in the manual shift mode and during the operation of a downshift command generated by a shift lever, a manual shift control unit calculates a degree of power required by a driver that, for example, takes into consideration an operation intent of the driver and a road condition. A post-downshift shift speed is then determined in accordance with the degree of required power and downshifting performed. By performing only one downshift command through manual operation, downshifting in accordance with the degree of power required by the driver is performed. Downshifting to a shift speed desired by the driver can thus be promptly performed, without the operation becoming a burden.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tadashi Sugiura, Yosuke Takei, Hideaki Ogasawara, Hiroshi Tsutsui
  • Publication number: 20090171540
    Abstract: A control device for an automatic transmission capable of operating in an automatic shift mode in which a gear ratio is automatically selected based on driving conditions of a vehicle, and also capable of operating in a manual shift mode in which the gear ratio is changed based on an upshift command or a downshift command by manual operation of a manual operation device, the control device includes a manual shift control unit that changes and sets the gear ratio after downshift depending on a degree of requirement for deceleration based on a driving operation when the downshift command has been operated by the manual operation device in the manual shift mode, and performs the downshift to the gear ratio that has been changed and set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tadashi Sugiura, Yosuke Takei, Hideaki Ogasawara, Hiroshi Tsutsui
  • Publication number: 20090171539
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an automatic transmission capable of operating in an automatic shift mode in which a speed ratio is automatically selected based on driving conditions of a vehicle, and a manual shift mode in which the speed ratio is changed based on an upshift command and a downshift command by manual operation of a manual operation unit, the control apparatus includes a controller that operates in a jumping shift mode that is included in the manual shift mode and that is composed of a smaller number of shift speeds than a number of shift speeds of the automatic shift mode; wherein the controller performs a downshift from a shift speed of the jumping shift mode at a time when the downshift command is issued by an operation of the manual operation unit based on the shift speed of the jumping shift mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tadashi Sugiura, Yosuke Takei, Hideaki Ogasawara, Hiroshi Tsutsui
  • Publication number: 20090171542
    Abstract: A control device for an automatic transmission capable of operating in an automatic shift mode in which a gear ratio is automatically selected based on driving conditions of a vehicle, and also capable of operating in a manual shift mode in which the gear ratio is changed based on an upshift command or a downshift command by manual operation of a manual operation device, the control device includes a manual shift control unit that changes and sets the gear ratio after downshift depending on road conditions when the downshift command has been operated by the manual operation device in the manual shift mode, and performs the downshift to the gear ratio that has been changed and set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tadashi Sugiura, Yosuke Takei, Hideaki Ogasawara, Hiroshi Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 7548810
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a continuously variable transmission of a vehicle is provided for switching the transmission from a continuously variable transmission mode to a stepped transmission mode without giving any discomfort to the driver, and for appropriately responding to a request for acceleration from the operator during the stepped transmission mode. The control apparatus comprises an ECU for setting a target transmission ratio in accordance with the detected operating condition of the vehicle, controlling the transmission ratio of the continuously variable transmission to reach the set target transmission ratio, and switching the transmission mode between a CVT mode and an AT mode. When the transmission mode is switched from the CVT mode to the AT mode, the ECU sets the target transmission ratio to a transmission ratio in the CVT mode immediately before the switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihira Aoki
  • Publication number: 20090132133
    Abstract: A clutch control system for a transmission for detecting if hydraulic control during shifting is not executed. A first clutch and a second clutch are switched from a disengagement state to an engagement state by receiving a predetermined pressure generated by a hydraulic pump. A transmission executes shifting to an adjacent gear step by operation of switching the engagement state of the first clutch and of the second clutch from one side to the other side. If an elapse time t from the start of clutch switching operation reaches a predetermined time and an input-output speed ratio which is a ratio between engine speed and counter shaft rotational number falls within a predetermined range corresponding to a gear step before shifting, the transmission control unit discontinues the clutch switching operation by stopping the supply of hydraulic pressure to the other side clutch to bring it into the disengagement state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KOJIMA, Kazunari Iguchi, Kazuma Morimitsu, Takashi Ozeki, Yoshiaki Tsukada, Shigeru Tajima
  • Patent number: 7530923
    Abstract: A shift control apparatus for an automatic transmission having an automatic shift mode and a manual shift mode. The shift control apparatus includes a shift characteristic changing unit for changing the first shift characteristic to a second shift characteristic such that a region for outputting an upshift signal is displaced toward higher vehicle speeds after performing a downshift by the manual operation, a delaying unit for delaying the output of the upshift signal by a predetermined time period according to the vehicle running condition when the vehicle running condition becomes a condition where the upshift signal is to be output according to the second shift characteristic, and an upshift allowing unit for once allowing the output of the upshift signal when the above condition continues after the elapse of the predetermined time period determined by the delaying unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Saito, Tatsuyuki Ohashi, Koichi Hasegawa, Yoshiyuki Kokubo
  • Patent number: 7529600
    Abstract: A target vehicle path is corrected in accordance with the environment surrounding a vehicle during parking assist or U-turn assist. To achieve the target vehicle path, target wheel speeds are set for respective wheels so as to generate a speed difference an inside wheel and an outside wheel of a turn. The target wheel speed is achieved by controlling braking force and driving force of each wheel. Thus, it is possible for the vehicle to turn with a smaller turning radius than that generated by a normal steering angle, and to cause the vehicle to move accurately along the target vehicle path that avoids any obstacles that are present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Mori, Kazutaka Kato, Kazuhiro Kamiya, Masahiro Matsuura
  • Patent number: 7527120
    Abstract: To simplify the switching between an automatic shift mode and a manual shift mode in a CVT. A selector switch is included in a switch unit provided on a handle bar at a position near a right grip and a shift switch is included in a switch unit provided on the handle bar at a position near a left grip. When the manual shift mode is selected, the shift switch functions as a shift control switch, whereas when the automatic shift mode is selected by the selector switch, mode selection for selecting any one of a first drive mode and a second drive mode, for example, can be made by the shift switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takefumi Tatewaki, Atsushi Hatayama, Mami Anno, Kazuhiko Mori
  • Publication number: 20090088935
    Abstract: If a mode-detection value is switched from an automatic shift-mode to a manual shift-mode, a T-ECU changes a shift-stage to a speed lower than a speed that is obtained before the switching of the mode-detection value. The T-ECU determines that a state of the T-ECU returns to a recognizable-state, in which a mode-selection value can be recognized, from an unrecognizable-state, in which the mode-selection value cannot be recognized. The T-ECU sets the shift-stage to a hold value after the return. The T-ECU controls the shift-stage in the automatic shift-mode “D” over a standby-period after the return. The T-ECU controls the shift-stage in the automatic shift-mode “D” until the detection of the operation of the shift-lever after the standby-period passes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ichiro Kitaori
  • Publication number: 20090082156
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus includes a wet rotary clutch configured to transmit power from an input to an output when in an engaged position, a clutch lubricator to supply a lubricating oil to the wet rotary clutch, a synchromesh configured to perform a meshing operation while the wet rotary clutch is in the disengaged position, and a controller configured to increase a revolution speed of the input of the wet rotary clutch before the synchromesh begins the meshing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Senoo
  • Patent number: 7509193
    Abstract: A method and a device are provided for limiting the driving speed of a motor vehicle that allow a selectable, fixed fuel consumption per distance traveled to be maintained without limiting short-term acceleration. In this context, the driving speed is limited to a maximum value (vmaxbe), at which a predefined maximum fuel consumption (Besetpoint) for steady driving speed is not exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Mario Kustosch
  • Patent number: 7480552
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling an automatic transmission is disclosed. The method and system include obtaining positioning data using a global positioning satellite (GPS) and monitoring the automatic transmission to obtain transmission data. The method and system also include learning whether performance of the automatic transmission can be improved utilizing the positioning data and the transmission data. Moreover, the method and system include adjusting a shift threshold for the positioning data for the automatic transmission if it is determined that the performance of the automatic transmission can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Cary Lee Bates, Robert James Crenshaw, Paul Reuben Day, John Matthew Santosuosso
  • Publication number: 20090012682
    Abstract: Systems and methods for user control of vehicular transmission shift points. In one embodiment, a user may control a transmission shift point by adjusting a selector having non-discrete selectable positions. Such selector may generate a signal indicative of its position to a transmission controller. The transmission controller may receive the signal from the selector and determine at least one transmission shift point based upon the selector position. The transmission controller may thereby control the transmission to effectuate a gear change when the shift point is achieved. In some embodiments, the selector may comprise a rotary potentiometer, a rotary encoder, an inline potentiometer, an inline encoder or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Kenneth Michael Mathis
  • Patent number: 7460943
    Abstract: In response to an upshift of a gearshift position SP in a sequential gearshift range, the drive control of the invention once lowers the rotation speed Ne of an engine. This variation in rotation speed of the engine enables the driver to have adequate gear change feeling, which is similar to the familiar gear change feeling in a conventional motor vehicle equipped with a stepped automatic transmission. Namely the drive control of the invention effectively prevents the driver from feeling something is wrong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Yamamoto, Yasuhiro Kaya, Kiyoshiro Ueoka, Kensuke Kamichi
  • Publication number: 20080293540
    Abstract: A shift-by-speech transmission system allows a driver or a motorcyclist to choose a desired gear by voice commands. Conventional sequential semi-manual shifting only allows the driver to shift one gear up or down from a current gear using a gearshift lever or a paddle shifter. The level of driver engagement in existing semi-manual shifters leaves much to be desired for many auto enthusiasts. 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 gears to up-shift and down-shift as desired, as long as a desired gear does not result in mechanically-detrimental situations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventor: Samuel Seungmin Cho
  • Publication number: 20080242505
    Abstract: In a departure standby state in which a transmission is shifted to a drive stage and a mechanical clutch is disengaged, if a vehicle speed is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the transmission is shifted to the neutral, and then the mechanical clutch is engaged. Then, it is determined whether the transmission is being rotated in reverse or not based on a rotational fluctuation on the driving side or the driven side in the process for engaging the mechanical clutch. When an accelerator pedal is pressed down at an angle greater than or equal to a predetermined angle, or when a gear shift instruction is input from the shift lever, if the transmission is being rotated in reverse the transmission is inhibited from being shifted to the drive stage, while if the transmission is not being rotated in reverse the transmission is shifted to the drive stage according to the pressed down state of the accelerator pedal, or a gear shift in instruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Toshio Kitamura, Isao Okamoto, Osamu Isobe, Akihisa Hayashi, Yuuichi Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20080221760
    Abstract: Automatic transmission control system and control method have the functions or steps of: controlling shifting of an automatic transmission installed on a vehicle, in one of an automatic shift mode in which shifting of the automatic transmission is carried out based on a shift diagram, and a manual shift mode in which shifting of the automatic transmission is manually carried out; detecting at least one shift command of an upshift command for shifting up the automatic transmission and a downshift command for shifting down the automatic transmission, the shift command being manually entered; measuring a shift command time for which the shift command is detected; and switching from the automatic shift mode to a shift inhibition mode in which shifting of the automatic transmission is inhibited, without switching to the manual shift mode, based on the measured shift command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Taihei WAKAMATSU, Shojiro SUGA
  • Publication number: 20080208419
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for control of an automatic transmission (1) in a vehicle having one control unit (2) by which can be received signals produced by a transmission selector lever (7) and/or a first transmission control (8), the signals of the first transmission control (8) being bridgeable so that the automatic transmission (1) can be manually operated. In order to make possible operating the vehicle with low fuel consumption and great flexibility of the driver at the moment, it is provided that a manual operation of the automatic transmission (1) be possible only when the vehicle has a speed (v) lower than a predetermined speed limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Wolf, Lutz Muller, Rupert Kramer, Jerome Lochard, Michael Burkhart
  • Publication number: 20080154467
    Abstract: A method of changing from a first gear position to a second gear position of a transmission arrangement is disclosed. The arrangement includes a rotatable transmission member, a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission coupled to the transmission member and operable to rotate the transmission member at a first speed, a controller configured to control operation of the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission, and a gear apparatus coupled to the transmission member and configured to be shiftable between at least the first gear position and the second gear position. The method includes controlling the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission, using the controller, to rotate the transmission member at the first speed, and shifting the gear apparatus from the first gear position to the second gear position while the transmission member is rotating at, or converging with, the first speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Evans, Simon Conway
  • Patent number: 7367922
    Abstract: A device for controlling an automatically shifting transmission of a motor vehicle is provided. A first selection device which sets gear speeds adjustable in an automatic mode, a second selection device which manually sets the gears of the transmission in a manual mode provide inputs to an electronic control device. When the second selection device is actuated, the control device commands a gear change in manual mode directly from the automatic mode. After actuation of the second selection device, a verification process is started to check whether a positive longitudinal acceleration process has begun within a predetermined time window. If no positive acceleration process has occurred within the time window, a switch is made back to automatic mode. If a positive acceleration process has occurred, returning to automatic mode is based on factors such as the end of the acceleration mode and repeated acceleration operations in a short time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Christian Gueter
  • Patent number: 7337051
    Abstract: A shift control apparatus for controlling shifting actions of a step-variable automatic transmission having a plurality of selectable groups of forward-drive positions (e.g., normal-spread group and narrow-spread or wide-spread group) having respective different sets of speed ratios, the automatic transmission having an automatic shifting mode in which the shifting actions take place automatically and a manual shifting mode in which the shifting actions are manually controllable, the shift control apparatus including a drive-position-group selecting portion operable upon switching of a shifting mode of the automatic transmission from the automatic shifting mode to the manual shifting mode, to select one of the selectable groups of forward-drive positions in the manual shifting mode, on the basis of the group which was selected last in the automatic shifting mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirofumi Ota, Atsushi Honda, Akiharu Abe, Atsushi Tabata
  • Patent number: 7313470
    Abstract: A distributed torque monitoring and control system for a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle has a power transfer unit adapted to drive a vehicle wheel and a power source adapted to drive the power transfer unit. The system includes a local torque monitor and a vehicle level torque monitor. The local torque monitor is associated with the power source and is adapted to implement a local mitigation strategy to inhibit undesired torque. The vehicle level torque monitor is adapted to implement a vehicle level mitigation strategy to inhibit acceleration of the hybrid vehicle if the local mitigation strategy is unsuccessful.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Zaremba, Miroslava Jankovic
  • Patent number: 7292922
    Abstract: A transmission control system includes a first gear engagement element that receives fluid and engages a first gear. An electromagnetic actuator selectively interrupts fluid flow to the first gear engagement element based on a duty cycle of a control signal. A control module adjusts the duty cycle so that a fluid flow rate continuously decreases as the first gear engagement element produces a first torque sufficient to hold the first gear. The flow rate is based on a first estimated volume of the fluid necessary for the first gear engagement element to produce the first torque. The control module computes a current volume of the fluid when the first gear engagement element produces the first torque. The control module adjusts a value of the first estimated volume for subsequent transmission control when a difference between the current volume and the first estimated volume is greater than a predetermined volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: Gang Chen, Aaron Pfadt
  • Patent number: 7258649
    Abstract: An automatic shift control is executed in an automatic transmission with 5 shift speeds of range hold type in the highest gear stage of a shift range at the manual shift mode. Upon selection of a shift mode from the automatic shift mode to the manual shift mode, the shift range at the manual shift mode is selected in accordance with the vehicle speed detected at the automatic shift mode. If the vehicle speed is in the low-speed range, the shift range 3 is selected. If the vehicle speed is in the medium-speed range, the shift range 4 is selected. If the vehicle speed is in the high-speed range, the shift range 5 is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Matsunaga, Yoshiharu Harada
  • Patent number: 7246670
    Abstract: A work vehicle with a hydrostatic steering system is disclosed which is capable of performing optimum control of the absorption torque of a hydraulic pump according to running load; capable of preferentially ensuring turning performance and implement speed when running load is relatively low; and capable of ensuring desired turning performance even when running load is relatively high. To this end, a bulldozer with a hydrostatic steering system, wherein the power of a hydraulic motor driven by pressure oil fed from a hydraulic pump operated by an engine is transmitted to right and left crawler tracks through a differential steering means composed of planetary gear trains etc., is designed to control the absorption torque of the hydraulic pump according to the speed ratio of a torque converter calculated by a speed ratio operation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Hayashi, Mitsuaki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7246675
    Abstract: A method relieves the burden of a driver of a motor vehicle in which the drive train is provided with a gearbox which can be operated in an automatic mode and a manual mode. The method comprises the following automatic steps: a) detection whether the speed of the vehicle should be adjusted, b) initiation of the adjustment if necessary, and c) the carrying out of the adjustment. During step b) and/or step c) it is determined on one or several occasions whether the gearbox is operating in an automatic mode or in a manual mode in order to trigger a change into the automatic mode of the gearbox if the gearbox is operated in the manual mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Lankes, Stephan Pindl
  • Patent number: 7225071
    Abstract: Clutch pressure is reduced when a vehicle is stopped with an engine (1) in an idling state. Once a turbine rotation speed increases to a predetermined rotation speed, the clutch pressure is increased to an initial pressure. After the initial pressure is reached, the clutch pressure is controlled to a target hydraulic pressure at which a slip amount reaches a target slip amount. Once the clutch pressure converges, a correction value for an initial pressure is set in order to make the slip amount approach the target slip amount. The set correction value is stored in a memory region corresponding to a transmission oil temperature at the point when the correction value is set. The initial pressure is corrected by the correction value stored in the memory region that corresponds to the transmission oil temperature when the turbine rotation speed has increased to the predetermined rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Akaike
  • Patent number: 7200477
    Abstract: A driver-aid method for shifting gears in an automatic transmission, wherein an automatic operating mode of the automatic transmission provides for shifting automatically by means of an optimization strategy based on information signals. Manual shifting of the gears of the vehicle by means of a control device is permitted even in automatic operating mode: a) if the shift requested manually by the driver is compatible with the set optimization strategy, a physical return is transmitted to the driver informing the driver of the compatibility of the shift requested; and b) if the shift requested manually by the driver is not compatible with the set optimization strategy, a physical return is transmitted to the driver informing the driver of the incompatibility of the shift requested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventor: Gianfranco Burzio
  • Patent number: 7181328
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for selecting a starting gear for a vehicle having an engine (3), an AMT-type transmission (5) and a power take-off (9) for maneuvering at least one body device on the vehicle. The method includes the steps of generating a first signal upon activation of the power take-off (9) for the maneuvering of at least one body device mounted on the vehicle. The gear selection strategy of the transmission (5) is controlled for selection of a predetermined starting gear in dependence on at least the first signal and maintaining the predetermined starting gear for as long as at least one predetermined condition is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Sixten Berglund, Anders Eriksson, Marcus Steen
  • Patent number: 7151989
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for shifting an initial gear upwards into a target gear in a twin-clutch gearbox of a motor vehicle. According to the invention, the engine torque (MMotor) of the vehicle is altered when a target gear is selected incorrectly and detected thus. The output torque (MOutput) is then reduced if the correct target gear is introduced. The invention also relates to a twin-clutch gearbox, especially for carrying out said method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Betelligungs KG
    Inventor: Jürgen Benz
  • Patent number: 7149617
    Abstract: A control for a transmission and a clutch monitors conditions to determine when a vehicle associated with the clutch and transmission is likely in a stationary state. If the vehicle appears to be stationary, with the transmission engaged and the clutch open, then the control determines that the transmission should be moved to a neutral position. Upon movement to the neutral position, the control then closes the clutch. It is preferable for a vehicle remaining stationary to have its clutch closed and its transmission in neutral than to have its transmission engaged and its clutch open. In a further aspect of this invention, the neutral state is verified by testing the ability to move one of the transmission shift components. If the transmission shift component can move beyond a predetermined amount, this is indicative that the transmission is in neutral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Meritor, LLC
    Inventors: James Henry DeVore, Robert Anthony Sayman, Ronald Peter Muetzel
  • Patent number: 7096106
    Abstract: A method for regulating and/or controlling an engine-transmission unit in a motor vehicle includes prioritizing torque demands to obtain an only torque value, storing the only torque value as a current successful situation and retaining the torque value for the previous successful situation, and processing the torque value of the current successful situation as well as the torque value of the previous successful situation to comparable torque values in each case required for the implementation of the demands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut Krenn, Lothar Wolf, Hubert Schumacher
  • Patent number: 7066862
    Abstract: A method for a shift control of a power shift transmission includes closing an incoming, engaging clutch unit assigned to a new gear and opening the outgoing, disengaging clutch unit assigned to an old gear such that the closing and the opening overlap in time. The incoming clutch unit is closed after performing a filling operation for providing a filling pressure for the incoming clutch unit. The filling operation is concluded by a filling end. In case of a manually triggered power shift, the filling operation for the incoming clutch unit is performed with an increased filling pressure corresponding to an order of magnitude of the clutch capacity of the outgoing clutch unit. After the filling end is identified, the outgoing clutch unit is opened and, overlapping in time, a clutch capacity of the incoming clutch unit is adapted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Edgar Bothe, Uwe Hinrichsen
  • Patent number: 7065441
    Abstract: A shift control system for a V-belt type continuously variable transmission is provided. The shift control system comprises a controller programmed to store an actual transmission ratio of the continuously variable transmission at stop of an associated vehicle drive source, and inhibit, at restart of the vehicle drive source, an initializing operation for returning an operational position of the shift actuator to a standard position when the actual transmission ratio is more on a high-speed side than a predetermined transmission ratio. A shift control method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: JATCO LTD
    Inventors: Masahiro Yamamoto, Yoshihisa Kodama, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Takuichiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 7058497
    Abstract: When a shift routine is not being executed in an automatic transmission and a difference between an actual turbine speed and a calculated synchronous speed is equal to, or greater than, a preset value ?, a difference ?NT between an estimated turbine speed and the actual speed when the automatic transmission is in a neutral state is calculated. When ?NT is equal to, or less than, a preset value ?, it is determined that a failure related to the neutral state of the automatic transmission has occurred. Also, when ?NT is greater than a preset value ?, it is determined that a failure related to slipping of a frictional engaging element has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Nagata, Yuuji Kashihara, Yoji Takanami, Kazutoshi Nozaki, Akio Murasugi
  • Patent number: 7029421
    Abstract: A method is described for operating an automatic transmission in which a command for changing a current ratio of the automatic transmission is generated when achieving preset operating states of the vehicle automatically or by manual input in a manual shifting mode, the activated manual shifting mode being preferred to an automatic shifting mode. The manual shifting mode is quit when a current vehicle speed is less than a threshold value, or when a longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle is within a defined range, a lateral acceleration is less than a threshold value and a driver type evaluation counter is less than a limiting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Friedemann Jauch, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz, Michael Kiefer
  • Patent number: 7022045
    Abstract: An accelerator pedal device includes a pedal reaction force providing device for providing a reaction force to an accelerator pedal according to an amount of depression of the accelerator pedal operated by a driver. The reaction force to be provided from the pedal reaction force providing device to the pedal is controlled based on the depression amount of the accelerator pedal. This reaction force control allows precise agreement between throttle opening timing and pedal reaction force timing to produce a predetermined pedal reaction force at a desired degree of throttle opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinichi Yone
  • Patent number: 7001307
    Abstract: An automatic shift control is executed in an automatic transmission with 5 shift speeds of range hold type in the highest gear stage of a shift range at the manual shift mode. Upon selection of a shift mode from the automatic shift mode to the manual shift mode, the shift range at the manual shift mode is selected in accordance with the vehicle speed detected at the automatic shift mode. If the vehicle speed is in the low-speed range, the shift range 3 is selected. If the vehicle speed is in the medium-speed range, the shift range 4 is selected. If the vehicle speed is in t he high-speed range, the shift range 5 is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Matsunaga, Yoshiharu Harada
  • Patent number: 7001308
    Abstract: A shift device for an automatic transmission of a vehicle, particularly of a motor vehicle, is proposed in which the request to change the current ratio of the automatic transmission upon reaching preset operating states of the vehicle can be automatically generated or by manual input in a manual shifting mode. A pulse counter is here provided by way of successive pulses and manual input can be functionally interlinked wherein a shift signal can be generated depending on the linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Markus Henneken, Friedemann Jauch, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz, Michael Kiefer
  • Patent number: 6959941
    Abstract: An electronic shift control apparatus is provided for a bicycle having a transmission with a plurality of speed stages. The apparatus comprises a shift unit that provides signals for shifting the transmission, a restriction selecting unit operated by a user to select a restricted speed stage, and a restricting unit operatively coupled to the shift unit and to the restriction selecting unit. The restricting unit prevents the shift unit from providing signals to shift the transmission to the restricted speed stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeda, Tadashi Ichida
  • Patent number: 6931958
    Abstract: A transmission control unit that generates transmission commands for controlling the operation of the first transmission and the second transmission. The transmission control unit includes an inhibiting unit for inhibiting a second operation of the first transmission after a first operation of the first transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Shimaro, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Takeda
  • Patent number: 6889130
    Abstract: In a shift control system for an automatic transmission, shelf-pressure control means include means for increasing the engagement pressure of the friction elements at a first gradient as previously set after output of the shift command, wherein after output of the shift command and when start of the inertia phase is detected, a torque-reduction command is output to the torque-reduction control means, the engagement pressure at detection of the inertia phase is set as an initial shelf pressure to increase the shelf pressure at a second gradient set for each speed, and a torque variation part oil pressure is added only when detecting a variation in throttle opening, and wherein after start of the inertia phase and when completion of the inertia phase is detected, a torque-reduction completion command is output to the torque-reduction control means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Yuuji Saitou, Takashi Murasugi, Takashi Sano, Ikuo Hirose
  • Patent number: 6885929
    Abstract: A control method for an automatic transmission in which a first and a second control system are provided and regulate the transmission ratio respectively in automatic and in manual mode. The method comprises the stages of activating the first control system and automatically setting a transmission ratio, detecting the presence of a manual command from an operator to modify the transmission ratio in use, performing the manual command from the operator by modifying the transmission ratio set automatically, silencing the first control system for a predetermined time interval such that the transmission ratio set following the manual command is not modified following any automatic gear change request from the first control system, and attributing the control of the automatic transmission to the first control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Inventor: Nicola Stragapede
  • Patent number: 6879898
    Abstract: An integrated chassis control system for a vehicle having at least one vehicle subsystem is provided, which includes; at least one sensor for sensing at least one vehicle parameter, at least one vehicle control system for adjusting the at least one vehicle subsystem, a driving mode switch for selecting at least one driving mode, and a controller responsive to the at least one sensor and the driving mode switch. The controller is adapted for controlling the at least one vehicle control system in accordance with the at least one driving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Youssef Ahmed Ghoneim, Christian Bielaczek
  • Patent number: 6871128
    Abstract: A speed change control method of controlling a speed change ratio of a continuously variable transmission mechanism including a traction continuously variable transmission, includes: estimating a tilt angle of a power roller included in the continuously variable transmission based on an input rotating speed and an output rotating speed of the continuously-variable transmission mechanism; estimating a position of the power roller based on an estimated tilt angle obtained by the tilt angle estimating step and a command signal given to a driving device of adjusting the tilt angle of the power roller; and executing a feedback control operation based on an estimated position of the power roller obtained by the position estimating step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukinobu Kouno, Masaaki Uenishi, Kenichi Nakashima, Tatsuhiko Goi, Koji Kawakami
  • Patent number: 6859709
    Abstract: A system for enhanced ratio control in a continuously variable transmission (CVT) includes a ratio control element positionable by an actuator in response to an actuator command to establish various CVT ratios in the CVT. At least one sensor generates a train of pulses indicative of speed of rotation of a predetermined rotary member of the CVT. A measured CVT ratio generator derives information of an actual CVT ratio out of at least the train of pulses to give a measured value of CVT ratio. A filter processes the measured value of CVT ratio in a manner to refine the information of the actual CVT ratio to give an estimated value of CVT ratio. A command generator determines the actuator command such that the actuator command remains unaltered when a deviation of the estimated value of CVT ratio from a desired value of CVT ratio stays within a dead zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Joe, Taketoshi Kawabe, Michel Mensler
  • Patent number: 6834876
    Abstract: A gear shift control apparatus comprises a shift command input that receives shift commands indicating a desired gear shift operation, a control output that outputs controls signals that control a gear shift unit to shift the bicycle transmission, a gear shift monitor that monitors a progress of a gear shift operation by the gear shift unit, and a gear shift controller operatively coupled to the shift command input, to the control output, and to the gear shift monitor. The gear shift controller receives a shift command and outputs a control signal that controls the operation of the gear shift unit to shift the bicycle transmission to a target gear. The gear shift controller modifies the control signal when the gear shift controller receives a second shift command corresponding to a second target gear that differs from a first target gear corresponding to a first shift command and the gear shift operation initiated by the first shift command has not completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiko Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20040260443
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for up-shifting of an automatic or semiautomatic gearbox which is connected to an engine equipped with an additional engine brake, which method comprises determining an expected value of the speed derivative (ESGe) of said engine during said gear-shifting. The invention is characterized in that said method comprises measuring the speed derivative (ESGm) of the engine during said gear-shifting (21), calculation of a difference value which corresponds to the difference between the measured value of the speed derivative (ESGm) and the expected value of the speed derivative (ESGe), and updating the expected value of the speed derivative (ESGe) to a new value which more closely corresponds to said measured value of the speed derivative (ESGm) if said difference value exceeds a predetermined threshold value (x). The invention also relates to a device for such engine braking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Sixten BERGLUND, Anders Eriksson
  • Patent number: 6821228
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a continuously variable transmission for use with a vehicle is provided for permitting a driver to select one from three transmission modes for the continuously variable transmission, and providing an appropriate transmission ratio in accordance with a particular operating condition of a vehicle without causing an insufficient engine torque or over-revolution, particularly when the transmission is switched from a continuously variable transmission mode to a stepped manual transmission mode. The control apparatus comprises an ECU and an MT switch. The ECU executes a continuous automatic transmission mode for continuously setting a transmission ratio of the continuously variable transmission in accordance with a detected operating condition of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihira Aoki, Shuichi Fujimoto, Hisashi Kunii