Having A Plurality Of Preset Maps, Schedules, Or Patterns Patents (Class 701/56)
  • Patent number: 11976724
    Abstract: [PROBLEMS] When an acceleration request from a driver is large, upshift is performed under a high engine rotation speed. [SOLUTIONS] Provided is an automatic transmission, including: a torque converter that is disposed downstream of a drive source in a power transmission path and is provided with a lockup clutch; and a transmission mechanism that is disposed downstream of the torque converter and changes a speed ratio between an input shaft and an output shaft, in which in a state where the lockup clutch is engaged, when a rotation speed of the input shaft reaches a first rotation speed, the automatic transmission starts upshift, and in a state where the lockup clutch is disengaged or slips, when the rotation speed of the input shaft reaches a second rotation speed obtained by subtracting a first predetermined rotation speed from the first rotation speed, the automatic transmission starts upshift, and the first predetermined rotation speed decreases as an output torque of the drive source increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seiichirou Takahashi, Koji Saito
  • Patent number: 11845438
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a transmission, and a controller. The engine is configured to generate power to propel the vehicle. The transmission has gears and clutches configured to shift between the gears. The controller is programmed to operate the clutches during wide-open throttle events to upshift the gears at shift points corresponding to engine speeds. The controller is further programmed to adapt the shift points by increasing the shift points over a series of the wide-open throttle events from initial values to mature values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Conor Edward Sullivan, Markian Oleh Diakiw, Kurt Howard Nickerson, Thaddeus Hill, Cory Benson Laroche, Donald Gerald Levens
  • Patent number: 11699205
    Abstract: Techniques for collecting, synchronizing, and displaying various types of data relating to a road segment enable, via one or more local or remote processors, servers, transceivers, and/or sensors, (i) enhanced and contextualized analysis of vehicle events by way of synchronizing different data types, relating to a monitored road segment, collected via various different types of data sources; (ii) enhanced and contextualized analysis of filed insurance claims pertaining to a vehicle incident at a road segment; (iii) advantageous machine learning techniques for predicting a level of risk assumed for a given vehicle event or a given road segment; (iv) techniques for accounting for region-specific driver profiles when controlling autonomous vehicles; and/or (v) improved techniques for providing a GUI to display collected data in a meaningful and contextualized manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Alexander Cardona, Kip Wilson, David Frank, Phillip Michael Wilkowski, Nolan White
  • Patent number: 11525728
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an estimated weight of a vehicle are provided. The system includes at least one data storage and at least one processor. The at least one data storage is configured to store vehicle data associated with the vehicle. The at least one processor is configured to: identify a plurality of vehicle maneuvers based on the vehicle data, each vehicle maneuver being associated with a portion of the vehicle data, each portion of the vehicle data comprising a measured torque profile; generate a plurality of simulated torque profiles for each vehicle maneuver; generate a plurality of error profiles, an error profile being generated for each vehicle maneuver based on differences between the plurality of simulated torque profiles and the measured torque profile corresponding to that vehicle maneuver; and determine the estimated weight of the vehicle based on the plurality of error profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Geotab Inc.
    Inventors: Willem Petersen, Harjot Singh Parmar, Muhammad Junaid Gill
  • Patent number: 11519495
    Abstract: A heat load estimation device for a friction engaging element that estimates a heat load when at least one of a temperature, a heat generation amount, and presence or absence of seizure in the friction engaging element at a time of shifting of the transmission is regarded as the heat load, includes a storage device and an execution device. The storage device stores mapping data defining mapping. The mapping includes, as an input variable, a speed variable that is a variable indicating a relative rotation speed of members of the friction engaging element and a hydraulic pressure variable that is a variable indicating hydraulic pressure during the shifting of the transmission, and includes, as an output variable, the heat load. The execution device executes a calculation process for calculating a value of the output variable and a change process for changing an execution mode of the calculation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kota Fujii, Atsushi Tabata, Koichi Okuda, Ken Imamura, Hideaki Bunazawa, Keita Sasaki
  • Patent number: 11199194
    Abstract: A demand-based load balancing function may be provided by one or more drive controllers that takes advantage of the affinity laws to linearize the control of the variable of interest (e.g., flow, pressure, etc.). Each drive controller may be set up by the user simply inputting a few values into the drive controller. Based on the inputs, the drive controllers may interpolate control points using an assumed linear relationship between the variable to be controlled (e.g., pressure) and the current driven to the pump. Feedback data from the system may be used to continually update the drive controllers so as to potentially allow them to better balance power usage to each pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Toshiba International Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt Allen Bihler, David Liu, Mark Douglas Rayner
  • Patent number: 10704620
    Abstract: A method for transmission of and damping of a mean torque with a superposed alternating torque in a torque transmission arrangement for a powertrain of a motor vehicle having an input and an output. The mean torque with the superposed alternating torque is transmitted along a torque path from the input the output. The input rotates at an input speed and the output rotates at an output speed. A slip arrangement is provided in the torque path between the input and the output for generating a speed slip. The slip arrangement provides a maximum of an external activation of the speed slip in the area of a maxima of at least one periodic oscillation component of an alternating component and provides a minimum of an external activation of the speed slip in the area of a minima of at least one periodic oscillation component of the alternating component (new).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Tobias Höche, Tobias Dieckhoff, Daniel Lorenz, Andreas Orlamünder, Ingrid Hoffelner, Wolfgang Grosspietsch, Steffen Matschas, Johannes Friess, Christofer Ebert, Matthias Kram, Dennis Egler, Axel Rohm, Erwin Wack, Bernd Unseld, Thomas Dögel, Matthias Reisch, Lukas Spath, Angelika Ebert
  • Patent number: 10704619
    Abstract: A method for the transmission and damping of a mean torque with a superposed alternating torque in an arrangement having an input and an output. The mean torque and superposed alternating torque are transmitted along a path from the input to the output. A slip arrangement is provided in the torque path between the input and the output for transmitting mean torque and superposed alternating torque and for generating a speed slip between an input speed and an output speed in the path. The slip arrangement provides a maximum of an external activation of the speed slip in the area of the maxima of at least one periodic oscillation component of the alternating component and provides a minimum of an external activation of the speed slip in the area of the minima of at least one periodic oscillation component of the alternating component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Tobias Höche, Tobias Dieckhoff, Daniel Lorenz, Andreas Orlamünder, Ingrid Hoffelner, Wolfgang Grosspietsch, Steffen Matschas, Johannes Friess, Christofer Ebert, Matthias Kram, Dennis Egler, Axel Rohm, Erwin Wack, Bernd Unseld, Thomas Dögel, Matthias Reisch, Christoph Sasse, Mathais Kopp
  • Patent number: 10533656
    Abstract: In a vehicle having a continuously variable transmission, a controller selectively performs a first control mode in which a transmission ratio is controlled in a stepless manner, and a second control mode in which the transmission ratio is controlled in a stepwise manner to perform an upshift after a vehicle speed has increased. When the second control mode is selected in response to a driver's acceleration request, the controller continuously downshifts the transmission ratio until the upshift is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daigo Kishi, Toshiaki Motomura
  • Patent number: 10514093
    Abstract: A shift control system for vehicle includes a transmission that performs an upshift based on an accelerator opening, comprising: a detector that detects a longitudinal acceleration the vehicle, a calculator that calculates a change amount per unit time of the accelerator opening, and a controller that controls the transmission. The controller repeatedly executes upshift to reduce a speed ratio of the transmission based on a second condition that determines a shift timing of the upshift, upon satisfaction of a first condition. The first condition is satisfied if the acceleration increasing the vehicle speed is greater than or equal to a predetermined first threshold value, the change amount is in a stable state falling within a certain range, and a time period that the change amount keeps falling within the certain range has exceeded a second threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shogo Tsuge, Ayumu Sagawa, Akira Takeichi, Takashi Okubo
  • Patent number: 10408341
    Abstract: A control device for a transmission that has multiple shift stages and is configured to change an amount of power output from an engine of a vehicle for output includes a setting unit and a control unit. The setting unit is capable of setting, as a shift change mode, either one of a first shift change mode and a second shift change mode in which a speed of the engine is maintained in a higher state than that in the first shift change mode. The control unit is configured to execute shift change control on a basis of the set shift change mode. The control unit is configured to exclude one or more shift stages of the multiple shift stages and execute the shift change control when the second shift change mode is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Kawashiri, Kohsuke Kikuhara
  • Patent number: 10260624
    Abstract: An electronic control unit updates a target gear shift characteristic value to a target gear shift characteristic value which is set at a gear shift start time with a first predetermined torque based on the first predetermined torque and performs gear shift control from a degree of progress in gear shift based on the updated target gear shift characteristic value, when an input torque becomes equal to or less than the first predetermined torque due to an accelerator returning operation or the like during a gear shift (during a power-on upshift). Accordingly, it is possible to perform stable gear shift control to cope with a decrease in input torque during the gear shift and to suppress occurrence of a shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keisuke Ota, Ayumu Sagawa
  • Patent number: 10245950
    Abstract: When a vehicle is switched from a two-wheel-drive mode to a four-wheel-drive mode during turning, rotation of a Rr dog clutch is synchronized by a synchro mechanism. Rotation of a Fr dog clutch is synchronized, by controlling coupling torque of a control coupling that transmits power to a rear wheel that provides an outer wheel during turning. Thus, rotation of the Fr dog clutch is also synchronized, so that shock at the time of engagement of the Fr dog clutch can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daichi Shimizu, Shunro Fukada, Satoshi Shimizu, Masayuki Arai
  • Patent number: 10144429
    Abstract: A control method of a vehicle includes executing one of a plurality of clutch protection logics according to estimated clutch temperatures by a controller. A control constant is counted according to the executed clutch protection logic by the controller. At least one of a shift pattern and an engine revolutions per minute (RPM) are adjusted based on the counted control constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Young Min Yoon
  • Patent number: 10082204
    Abstract: A control apparatus of an automatic transmission including a plurality of gear mechanisms, frictional elements, an oil pressure supply device which supplies an oil pressure for operating the frictional elements between an engaged state and a disengaged state and an oil pressure controller which controls an oil pressure for operating the plurality of frictional elements. The oil pressure controller determines a heat quantity absorbed by the plurality of frictional elements when the frictional elements are switched between the engaged state and the disengaged state, and changes an operation state before the frictional elements proceed to the engaged state or the disengaged state, in accordance with whether the frictional elements have absorbed a predetermined heat quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasushi Inagawa
  • Patent number: 9878705
    Abstract: A plurality of virtual gear positions are established by an electric continuously variable transmission, and the number of speeds of the virtual gear positions is equal to or larger than the number of speeds of mechanical gear positions of a mechanical stepwise variable transmission. One virtual gear position or two or more virtual gear positions is/are assigned to each mechanical gear position, and the mechanical gear position is shifted in the same timing as shift timing of the virtual gear position. The virtual gear positions assigned to each mechanical gear position when the mechanical gear position is upshifted are different from the virtual gear positions assigned to each mechanical gear position when the mechanical gear position is downshifted. Thus, the amount of heat generated in frictional engagement elements of the mechanical stepwise variable transmission is prevented from being increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masayuki Baba, Ichiro Isobe
  • Patent number: 9481351
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle and method of control are disclosed wherein the vehicle is propelled solely by the motor in some operating modes and the internal combustion engine is set to run whenever a brake pedal is released in other operating modes. In some operating modes, the engine is controlled to simulate a vehicle with a discrete ratio transmission, wherein the engine speed is controlled in response to vehicle speed and a virtual gear number. The virtual gear number changes in response to driver activation of shift selectors. When the driver selects a high gear number, a revised algorithm is utilized which allows some motor only operation but starts the engine in response to specified increases in accelerator pedal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ming Lang Kuang, Qing Wang, Jeffrey Randolph Holmes
  • Patent number: 9387847
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a vehicle including: a first drive system configured to drive first wheels; and a second drive system configured to drive second wheels, wherein the first drive system includes: an electric motor; a motor controller; an engagement/disengagement unit provided between the electric motor side and the first drive wheels side; an engagement/disengagement controller; and a one-way power transmission unit provided between the electric motor side and the first drive wheels side in parallel to the engagement/disengagement unit, and configured, at least, to engage the both sides when a reverse-direction rotational power is inputted from the first wheels side to the electric motor side, wherein, when the vehicle reverses, a reverse driving force to reverse the vehicle is generated at least in the first drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masatoshi Noguchi
  • Patent number: 9333975
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle includes automatically activating a first mode of operation of a vehicle, determining if a driver does not prefer the automatically activated first mode of operation, and automatically transitioning to a second mode of operation based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Joseph Szwabowski, Dimitar Petrov Filev, Jianbo Lu, Finn Tseng, Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante
  • Patent number: 9014931
    Abstract: A system for selecting shift schedules of a transmission of a vehicle configured to change gears according to two or more shift schedules includes a controller. The controller is configured to estimate mass of the vehicle based on a plurality of accelerations of the vehicle from a standstill, and estimate a road load of the vehicle based on the estimated mass. The controller is also configured to estimate a grade of terrain over which the vehicle is travelling based on the estimated mass of the vehicle. The controller is further configured to select between at least a first shift schedule and a second shift schedule based on at least one of the estimated mass of the vehicle, characteristics of the terrain over which the vehicle is travelling, the estimated grade of the terrain over which the vehicle is travelling, and functions capable of being performed by the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Palmer, James H. DeVore
  • Patent number: 9002595
    Abstract: A method regulates the torque output and/or speed output of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) in a manner that may simulate a clutch. The CVT may be incorporated in a machine and maybe operatively coupled to a power source and to a propulsion device. The method utilizes an unaltered torque-to-speed curve that relates the torque output to the speed output of the CVT. The method may receive an operator input signal indicating a desire to change operation of the machine. The torque-to-speed curve may be shifted in response to the operator input signal to limit the torque output available. In an aspect, an under-run curve may be applied to the torque-to-speed curve, the under-run curve corresponding to a target speed. The operator input signal may also shift the under-run curve to reduce the target speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Davis, Adam Nackers, Michael Barngrover, Brian D. Kuras
  • Publication number: 20150094919
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission includes a main transmission, a sub-transmission, a sub-transmission shift position sensor, and a map switching device. The main transmission is an automatic transmission configured to perform gear shifting according to a gear shift map selected between a first gear shift map and a second gear shift map in accordance with a throttle opening degree and a vehicle speed. The sub-transmission is configured to change rotational speed of rotational drive force output from the main transmission by manually selecting a sub-transmission gear position between a drive position and a low position having a reduction ratio larger than a reduction ratio of the drive position. The map switching device is configured to perform switching between the first gear shift map and the second gear shift map in accordance with sensing signals from the sub-transmission shift position sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro NOZAKI, Kousuke TSUNASHIMA, Eiji KITTAKA
  • Patent number: 8996266
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an engine control module (ECM), and a dual clutch transmission (DCT) assembly. The DCT assembly has first and second input clutches, first and second gear sets selectively connected to the engine via the respective first and second input clutches, and a transmission control module (TCM). In executing a launch control method, the TCM receives a launch request, receives an actual engine torque, and determines the inertia and acceleration of the engine. The TCM then calculates a clutch torque for the particular input clutch used for vehicle launch as a function of the actual engine torque and the product of the inertia and the acceleration, compares the calculated clutch torque to the commanded clutch torque, modifies a torque-to-position (TTP) table depending on the comparison result, and transmits a clutch position signal to the designated input clutch to command an apply position extracted from the TTP table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Colin Hultengren, Craig J. Hawkins, Matthew D. Whitton, Crystal Nassouri, Jonathan P. Kish
  • Patent number: 8996263
    Abstract: An electronic controller for a variable ratio transmission and an electronically controllable variable ratio transmission including a variator or other CVT are described herein. The electronic controller can be configured to receive input signals indicative of parameters associated with an engine coupled to the transmission. The electronic controller can also receive one or more control inputs. The electronic controller can determine an active range and an active variator mode based on the input signals and control inputs. The electronic controller can control a final drive ratio of the variable ratio transmission by controlling one or more electronic solenoids that control the ratios of one or more portions of the variable ratio transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC
    Inventors: Stanley B. Quinn, Jr., Alan L. Miller, Scott R. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8989975
    Abstract: A smart touch type electronic auto-shift lever may include a shift stage controller which is connected to a controller of an electronic auto-transmission of a vehicle and a touch screen which is arranged on a console of a vehicle and is connected to the shift stage controller to display information of a shift pattern received from the shift stage controller and transmit input information produced by a touch to the shift stage controller. The shift stage controller generates the information of the shift pattern including the shift pattern and transmits it to the touch screen, and generates stage shift information allotted to the input information received from the touch screen and transmits it to the controller of the electronic auto-transmission of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Eun-Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 8989940
    Abstract: A powertrain system is configured to transfer torque to an output member. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes prioritizing a plurality of system torque constraint parameters. The system torque constraint parameters are sequentially applied in an order of descending priority. A feasible state for each of the sequentially applied system torque constraint parameters is determined. A solution set including the feasible states for all the sequentially applied system torque constraint parameters is determined, and employed to control operation of the powertrain system in response to an output torque request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Sean W. McGrogan
  • Patent number: 8989970
    Abstract: There is disclosed a continuously variable ratio transmission assembly (“variator”) comprising a roller which transmits drive between a pair of races, the roller being movable in accordance with changes in variator ratio, a hydraulic actuator which applies a biasing force to the roller, at least one valve connected to the actuator through a hydraulic line to control pressure applied to the actuator and so to control the biasing force, and an electronic control which determines the required biasing force and sets the valve accordingly, wherein the valve setting is additionally dependent upon a rate of flow in the hydraulic line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Torotrak (Development) Limited
    Inventor: Stephen William Murray
  • Patent number: 8977450
    Abstract: An automatic gear-shifting bicycle includes: a bicycle body provided with two cranks, two pedals and a derailleur, a power supply module, a microcomputer, a gear shifting control driver, and a pedal position sensor module installed in the bicycle body corresponding to the cranks and electrically coupled to the microcomputer for enabling the microcomputer to determine the angular position and forward/backward pedaling of the cranks. The microcomputer calculates the optimal shift timing subject to the time point the crank to be moved over the pedaling dead point in the next time, the pedaling speed to be below a predetermined speed value or the cranks are been pedaling backwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: J.D. Components Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chi-Chang Cheng
  • Patent number: 8977415
    Abstract: A system includes a grade estimation module that receives an accelerometer value and generates a grade estimate based on the accelerometer value, wherein the accelerometer value corresponds to acceleration of a vehicle and the grade estimate corresponds to a grade of the vehicle. A mass estimation module receives the accelerometer value and generates a mass estimate based on the accelerometer value, wherein the mass estimate corresponds to a mass of the vehicle. A shift control module at least one of selects and adjusts one of a plurality of shift schedules based on at least one of the grade estimate and the mass estimate and controls a transmission of the vehicle based on the one of the plurality of shift schedules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Richard L. Tiberg
  • Patent number: 8930102
    Abstract: A control device of a motor vehicle for controlling a gear change in a transmission of the motor vehicle by generating control signals for transmission shift elements utilized during a gear change. If a gear increment of the gear change to be performed is greater than two gears, and/or if the driver activates a sport gear shift program, and/or if a detection device detects a sporty type of driver, and/or if the driver actuates a kickdown of an accelerator pedal, and/or if the driver actuates the accelerator pedal with a temporal gradient that is greater than a defined limit, the control device generates control signals for the shift elements, being utilized for performing the gear change, with an interruption of driving power, and the control device, in all other instances, generates control signals for the shift elements, being utilized for performing the gear change, without interrupting the tractive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Ruben Cuppers
  • Publication number: 20140336888
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an automated gearbox of an automotive vehicle that is adapted to work in a first automatic mode and at least one second driver initiated mode which is different from the first mode. This method includes monitoring the vehicle driving behavior is monitored, analyzing the vehicle driving behavior is and determining it to be satisfactory or non satisfactory and, when the driver requests switch of the automatic gearbox from the first mode to the second mode, the switch order is followed only if the vehicle driving behavior is determined to be satisfactory, and/or, when the automated gearbox is in a second driver initiated mode, causing a switch of the gearbox to a first automatic mode if the vehicle driving behavior is determined to be non-satisfactory. The system includes an arrangement to automatically perform these steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: RENAULT TRUCKS
    Inventor: Raphael Ribero
  • Patent number: 8880304
    Abstract: A method for determining numbers of gear steps N for a gearbox in a motor vehicle. The vehicle has an engine connected to drive the gearbox. The numbers of gear steps N is the number of downshifts or the number of upshifts which the gearbox effects at an upshift point or a downshift point. A downshift point represents a first engine speed at which the gearbox effects a downshift. An upshift point represents a second engine speed at which the gearbox effects an upshift. The numbers of gear steps N are determined on the basis of a predicted acceleration a for the motor vehicle during a time period T. The invention relates also to a system, a motor vehicle, a computer program and a computer program product thereof for performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Swartling, Anders Kjell, Tom Nyström
  • Patent number: 8874333
    Abstract: In a control apparatus for an automatic transmission having two input shafts connected to an output shaft of a prime mover; two output shafts; and two drive force transmission paths including clutches and synch devices each of which is able to connect a speed gear to the associated one of the output shafts, it is configured to discriminate whether shifting required by an operator is a first shifting pattern or a second shifting pattern, supply fluid pressure to one of the drive force transmission paths associated with a desired speed gear, while engaging the lockup clutch, when the shifting is the first shifting pattern, and supply the fluid pressure to the one of the drive force transmission paths associated with the desired speed gear, while disengaging the lockup clutch, when the shifting is the second shifting pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Harada
  • Patent number: 8868252
    Abstract: A microprocessor driven two dimensional search engine examines transmission operating points within a plurality of search range spaces and assists in determining properties associated with the driveline at various operating points within the space. The size of the space is reduced by rearrangement of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Kee Yong Kim, Bin Wu
  • Patent number: 8862349
    Abstract: A powertrain of a vehicle has a drive unit, a transmission and an auxiliary gearbox. Operation of the transmission and the auxiliary gearbox is controlled by a transmission control unit. The transmission control unit controls shifting of the auxiliary gearbox and the transmission while the vehicle is in operation. The auxiliary gearbox may be electronically shifted, independently of activity of the vehicle operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Faucett, Robert F. Combs, Leroy K. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8862347
    Abstract: A vehicle performance system and method for determining and displaying vehicle performance data includes a display device in communication with a transmission controller, an engine controller, and a plurality of vehicle condition sensors. The transmission controller calculates vehicle performance data from data signals sent by the plurality of vehicle condition sensors and from stored performance maps. The display device communicates the vehicle performance data to a user of the vehicle performance system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas H. Wilson
  • Patent number: 8862351
    Abstract: A method of controlling a transmission (100) for a machine is disclosed. The transmission includes a variator (104). The transmission is operated in a first operating range (301). It is determined whether a current speed ratio is within a first predetermined range of a speed ratio associated with a first synchronous point (304) lying between the first operating range (301) and the second operating range (302). A desired speed ratio is determined and it is determined if the desired speed ratio is within a second predetermined range of the speed ratio. A shift between the first and second operating ranges (301, 302) is prevented and the variator (104) is controlled to hold the current speed ratio if the desired speed ratio is within the second predetermined range or the rate of acceleration of the machine is below the threshold acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Beyer, Adam Vaccari, Christopher Rhoades, Adam Nackers, Brian Lister, Mike Barngrover
  • Patent number: 8862346
    Abstract: A mobile computing apparatus simulates the performance of a virtual vehicle using the route, driving behavior and loading experience of a baseline vehicle. The baseline vehicle is instrumented and operational data is collected, forming a data set. The apparatus includes simulator logic configured to construct a duty cycle from the data set representative of the operation of the baseline vehicle during travel along the route (e.g., a loading duty cycle). The data set includes route data with distance and vehicle speed information, engine data associated with the engine, and operational element data. The logic defines a virtual vehicle that is the same as the baseline vehicle but that includes a virtual operational element, such as a transmission, that is different than that in the baseline vehicle. The logic determines a performance characteristic, such as fuel economy, of the virtual vehicle using the constructed duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Saltsman, Xubin Song, Benjamin J. Morris, Chia-Hsiang Liu, Zhijun Tang
  • Patent number: 8849528
    Abstract: A system for selecting shift schedules of a transmission of a vehicle includes a controller configured to receive a signal indicative of acceleration of the vehicle prior to a change of a gear of the transmission. The controller is further configured to estimate tractive effort of the vehicle following the change of the gear of the transmission, the tractive effort estimation being based on at least an estimation of a road load on the vehicle. The controller is further configured to select between a first shift schedule and a second shift schedule based on the tractive effort estimation, wherein, if the tractive effort estimation is less than a threshold value, the controller selects the first shift schedule, and if the tractive effort estimation is at least equal to the threshold value, the controller selects the second shift schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Palmer
  • Patent number: 8831846
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic controller which calculates the variable amounts of the thrust in a primary pulley based on the thrusts of the pulleys, the lower limit thrust and the upper limit thrust in the steps of a target change gear ratio limit routine. The electronic controller calculates the limit transmission speeds based on the variable amounts in the steps, and calculates the guard values for limiting the target change gear ratio based on the limit transmission speeds in the steps. An electronic controller limits the target change gear ratio by the guard values thus calculated, and controls the thrusts of the pulleys by feedback control based on the size of discrepancy of the limited target change gear ratio and the current change gear ratio ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunio Hattori, Shinya Toyoda, Taira Iraha
  • Patent number: 8798873
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a power take-off (PTO) of an engine equipped vehicle. Transceivers in a portable wireless remote control device (WRCD) and an in-vehicle control system (IVCS) wirelessly communicate (a) user generated PTO action requests to the vehicle, and (b) PTO and vehicle status information to the WRCD. A PTO control module (PTOCM) in the IVCS translates the wirelessly received user action requests into engine and PTO operating or action commands, monitors the engine and PTO status and has the IVCS transceiver send the status information back to the WRCD where it can be presented to the user on a display. In a preferred embodiment, maximum use is made of components already existing in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: John X. Cui
  • Patent number: 8775041
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of selecting an economy mode shift schedule for a transmission coupled to a motor vehicle. The method includes calculating vehicle acceleration and determining a change in accelerator pedal position. Also, a net tractive effort force of the vehicle is determined for a current gear range of the transmission. Also, the method includes comparing the net tractive effort force for the current gear range to a maximum tractive effort force for a desired gear range and selecting the economy mode shift schedule for the transmission based on the comparison. The method further includes controlling shifting between one or more gear ranges of the transmission according to the economy mode shift schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kresse, Robert Merrion
  • Patent number: 8768582
    Abstract: An engine control device detects the state of work of a working vehicle such as a construction machine or the like, and controls the power output capacity of an engine automatically. A determination is made as to whether excavation or uphill traveling is being performed, based upon the detection signals from a hydraulic oil pressure detector for a hydraulic cylinder of an arm, detectors for arm and bucket operation commands, a shift operation detector for a transmission, a pitch angle detector for the vehicle body, a traveling acceleration detector, and an accelerator opening degree detector. When the result of this determination is that excavation or uphill traveling is being performed, the engine is controlled to operate at a high power capacity, while at other times it is controlled to operate at a low power output capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiji Toda
  • Publication number: 20140172253
    Abstract: A system for selecting shift schedules of a transmission of a vehicle configured to change gears according to two or more shift schedules includes a controller. The controller is configured to estimate mass of the vehicle based on a plurality of accelerations of the vehicle from a standstill, and estimate a road load of the vehicle based on the estimated mass. The controller is also configured to estimate a grade of terrain over which the vehicle is travelling based on the estimated mass of the vehicle. The controller is further configured to select between at least a first shift schedule and a second shift schedule based on at least one of the estimated mass of the vehicle, characteristics of the terrain over which the vehicle is travelling, the estimated grade of the terrain over which the vehicle is travelling, and functions capable of being performed by the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. PALMER, James H. DeVORE
  • Patent number: 8751121
    Abstract: Shift controlling apparatus for a vehicle which automatically carries out changeover between a plurality of shift gear stages based on an automatic shift map including a drive mode shift map and a sport mode shift map having an increased region in which a speed change ratio is low compared to the drive mode shift map and corresponds to more sporty operation than that of the drive mode shift map. The drive mode shift map has a first mode portion and a second mode portion having an increased region in which the change gear ratio is low compared to the first mode portion, but smaller than the increased region of the sport mode shift map. Changeover between the first and second mode portions is carried out based on an acceleration history in accordance with a throttle opening of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Takeuchi, Yukio Yokogawa, Eiji Kittaka
  • Patent number: 8744706
    Abstract: Mapped data of line pressure set to any of high pressure/low pressure regions on the basis of an engine load are stored in a storage section. A determining section 103 determines, on the basis of temperature of the hydraulic oil detected by an ATF temperature sensor 18, whether the mapped data the low pressure region is shifted in an enlarged direction. A state determining section 104 determines whether a throttle valve opening degree TH of the vehicle is totally closed or whether the line pressure is currently set to low line pressure. When the low pressure region is shifted in the enlarged direction and the throttle valve opening degree TH is totally closed or the line pressure is currently set to the low line pressure, a region changing section enlarges the low pressure region of the mapped data stored in the storage section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Takaishi, Hideyuki Yamanaka, Tomohisa Kaneda
  • Patent number: 8744707
    Abstract: An engine powered wheeled machine having improved engine over speed and under speed protection includes a parallel path transmission having a gear train with first and second transmission inputs and a transmission output, and including a hydraulic variator having a variator output driving the first transmission input, the hydraulic variator having a variator pump and a variator motor, the displacement of the variator pump being controlled by a variator actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Li, Brian D. Hoff
  • Patent number: 8738250
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a power source of a mobile machine having a continuously variable transmission (CVT) are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving, from an operator of the mobile machine, input selecting of one of a plurality of target travel speeds of the mobile machine and input indicative of a requested output speed of the power source. The method further includes calculating a difference between the selected target travel speed and an actual travel speed of the mobile machine. Finally, the method includes adjusting the requested output speed of the power source based on the calculated travel speed difference, and commanding the power source based on the adjusted requested output speed of the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Hoff
  • Patent number: 8725370
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus including: a bad-road control-mode switch configured to be manipulated by a driver; and a bad-road control section configured to perform a bad-road control when a bad-road control mode is selected by the bad-road control-mode switch, the bad-road control section including a shift changeover function configured to automatically change a shift state of vehicle between a forward running and a reverse running, and a driving-force applying section configured to reduce a driving force acting on a road-wheel when the shift state of vehicle is changed by the shift changeover function, and configured to apply a predetermined driving force to the road-wheel when a predetermined time has elapsed after the change of shift state, as the bad-road control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Ohtsu
  • Patent number: 8725367
    Abstract: In a control apparatus and a control method for a vehicle automatic transmission in which a plurality of gears with different speed ratios are achieved by selectively engaging a plurality of friction engagement devices and a one-way clutch, if an acceleration request is made in the case where the one-way clutch is in an idling state when a first predetermined gear is to be achieved by engaging the one-way clutch, a pre-synchronization control is executed to transmit torque through a predetermined friction engagement device used to achieve a second predetermined gear at which the one-way clutch is maintained in an idling state, and to continue to change a rotational direction of the one-way clutch toward a rotational direction in which the one-way clutch is brought to a synchronized state, according to the acceleration request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takaaki Tokura, Hideaki Otsubo, Motonori Kimura