Responsive To Faulty Sensor Patents (Class 701/63)
  • Patent number: 11313460
    Abstract: A shift range control device controls switching of a shift range by controlling a drive of a motor, and includes a signal acquisition unit and a drive control unit. The signal acquisition unit acquires the rotation angle signal from the encoder that outputs rotation angle signals of three or more phases with different phases. The drive control unit controls the drive of the motor so that a rotational position of the motor becomes the target rotational position according to the target shift range. When an abnormality of the rotation angle signal is detected during switching of the shift range, the drive control unit performs fixed phase energization that continues energization to the same energized phase, and stops rotation of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koji Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 11136020
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle and a method of calibrating a traveling direction of the hybrid vehicle are disclosed. The method of calibrating a traveling direction of a hybrid vehicle including a transmission not having a reverse gear includes: when an abnormality of a motor speed sensor is detected, calculating a difference between at least one of a first moving distance calculated based on sensor information during a predetermined time or a second moving distance calculated based on output torque and a third moving distance calculated based on a vehicle speed by a controller for controlling output torque; when an absolute value of the calculated difference is greater than a preset error reference, reversing the traveling direction recognized by the controller; and controlling a powertrain in response to a transmission lever state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Kyeom Cho, Seong Wook Moon, Sung Bae Jeon, Hui Un Son, Joon Young Park, Jea Mun Lee
  • Patent number: 10753466
    Abstract: In a transmission control device for controlling a transmission, a controller determines failure of a specific section. The controller variably controls line command pressure and secondary command pressure, and in a case where the failure is determined, fixes the line command pressure to a line pressure set value and the secondary command pressure to a secondary pressure set value. In a case where the failure is determined, the controller further starts a change in the secondary command pressure after start of a change in the line command pressure, and controls the secondary command pressure in such a manner that the secondary command pressure takes a first predetermined time to have the secondary pressure set value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Haruka Ozono, Youji Itou, Kosuke Abe
  • Patent number: 9835210
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of using the apparatus for learning a clutch torque of a Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) includes judging whether shifting begins, controlling torque transmission of a coupling-side clutch and a release-side clutch to cross each other while following a coupling-side target clutch torque when shifting begins, and calculating and storing a learning value, after the controlling has begun, using a function determined by the relationship between an average value of an engine angular acceleration and a coupling-side shifter input-shaft angular acceleration, engine rotation inertia, and a torque compensated to the torque transmission of the coupling-side clutch for reducing a slippage of the release-side clutch by feedback control during a torque handover interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sung Hyun Cho, Hwan Hur
  • Patent number: 9612175
    Abstract: A technique for setting offset of a hydraulic pressure sensor which senses operation oil pressure is provided herein. In particular, ignition-off is detected and an ignition-off time point and remaining pressure of the object to be sensed are stored. The remaining pressure is sensed by the hydraulic pressure sensor at the ignition-off time point and stored accordingly. Additionally, whether an ignition is turned on or not after the ignition-off is also detected and an ignition-on time point is stored, when the ignition-on is detected after the ignition-off. A time lapse between the ignition-on from the ignition-off time point is then calculated along with the reduced pressure corresponding to the time lapse due to the time lapse. As a result, a value obtained by subtracting the reduced pressure from the remaining pressure of the hydraulic pressure sensor is set and applied as the offset of the hydraulic pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Seongwook Moon
  • Patent number: 9322665
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for navigation with inertial characteristics are described. Embodiments may include a navigation component configured to generate a map display including at least a portion of a map and a position indicator representing a location of a user on the map. The position indicator may be positioned in a first position relative to the map display. The navigation component may be configured to detect that the user is turning in a direction of travel. The navigation component may also be configured to, responsive to the detection that the user is turning in the specific direction of travel, shift the position indicator within the map display in a direction opposite to the detected direction of travel. The shifting may cause additional map information to be displayed in the direction of travel. In various embodiments, the position indicator may be returned to the first position post-turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Blumenberg
  • Patent number: 8862364
    Abstract: Systems and methods for isolating a performance anomaly within one or more line replaceable units (LRUs) on a gas turbine engine by monitoring the start up transient are presented. The system comprises a set of sensors, an anomaly detector and a fault isolation reasoner. Each sensor of the set monitors at least one operating parameter of at least one engine component. The anomaly detector is configured to detect an anomaly in a component by comparing a particular value of an operating parameter to a base line value of that parameter. The specific cause of the startup anomaly is isolated utilizing a set of component reasoners that is based on the nature of the detected anomaly. The key events during the engine startup are identified by the combination of monitoring physically relevant phases of a startup and monitoring the engine control schedule. The values at these key events are used for comparing at the anomaly detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Kyusung Kim
  • Patent number: 8761979
    Abstract: The present invention protects a high voltage battery in a hybrid electric vehicle. More particularly, it makes it possible to prevent a battery from being overcharged when a motor or an inverter system breaks, with the hybrid vehicle traveling. The technique for protecting a high voltage battery in a hybrid electric vehicle illustratively comprises: checking whether a motor functions properly; setting a virtual acceleration pedal value and keeping a present desired shifting map, when the motor breaks; determining a desired shifting stage according to the present desired shifting map based on the virtual acceleration pedal value; and, in certain embodiments, switching or keeping the engine control mode by comparing a value of a predetermined maximum engine speed region with the present engine speed in order to prevent high-speed rotation of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Seok Young Yun
  • Patent number: 8751120
    Abstract: A system includes: a shift mechanism; and a position detecting device detecting an operating position of the shift mechanism on the basis of an output signal of a sensor attached to the shift mechanism. An execution mode of a driving force limiting process that limits driving force is set on the basis of the operating position that is detected by the position detecting device. The driving force limiting process is executed on the basis of the execution mode of the driving force limiting process and a vehicle operation state. When it is determined that there is an abnormality in the position detecting device in a state that the driving force limiting process is not executed, setting the execution mode on the basis of the operating position of the shift mechanism is prohibited, and execution of the driving force limiting process is allowed on the basis of the vehicle operation state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki
    Inventors: Yuki Minase, Masashi Takagi, Motonari Ohbayashi, Hiroshi Shimada, Toshihiro Takagi
  • Patent number: 8731792
    Abstract: A control system for a dry dual clutch transmission (DCT) includes first, second, and third modules. The first module detects whether a hydraulic pressure sensor of a hydraulic fluid delivery system in the dry DCT has failed. The second module estimates a pressure of hydraulic fluid within an accumulator of the hydraulic fluid delivery system based on one of (i) torque generated by and temperature of a hydraulic fluid pump and (ii) a drain down period of the accumulator and a period since the hydraulic fluid pump was on. The third module controls start/stop of the hydraulic fluid pump based on the estimated hydraulic fluid pressure when the hydraulic pressure sensor has failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventors: Zhen J. Zhang, David Juhassz, John E. Marano
  • Publication number: 20130325275
    Abstract: An ECU determines whether or not there is an abnormality (shift pattern abnormality) in a combination of shift signals provided from a shift position sensor. After occurrence of the shift pattern abnormality is determined, ECU determines whether or not a first condition that a shift pattern has changed into a normal pattern of a drive range, a second condition that a brake is ON and a vehicle is in a stop state is satisfied, and a third condition that an accelerator is OFF satisfied. When occurrence of the shift pattern abnormality is determined, ECU stops generation of driving force of the vehicle and prohibits switching to the drive range. When ECU determines that the above-mentioned first to third conditions are satisfied after occurrence of the shift pattern abnormality is determined, ECU switches the shift range to the drive range indicated by the shift pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keiji Kaita, Masaya Amano, Takeshi Hoshiba, Koji Hokoi, Takahiko Hirasawa
  • Publication number: 20130317715
    Abstract: An ECU determines whether or not there is an abnormality (shift pattern abnormality) in a combination of shift signals provided from a shift position sensor. After occurrence of the shift pattern abnormality is determined, the ECU determines whether or not a first condition that a shift pattern changes into a normal pattern of a drive range is satisfied, and whether or not a second condition that a vehicle is running (a driver has an intention to cause the vehicle to run) is satisfied. When occurrence of the shift pattern abnormality is determined, the ECU stops generation of driving force of the vehicle and prohibits switching to the drive range. When the above-mentioned first condition and second condition are satisfied after occurrence of the shift pattern abnormality is determined, the ECU switches the shift range to the drive range indicated by the shift pattern and recovers the driving force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keiji Kaita, Nobuyuki Tanaka, Masaya Amano, Koji Hokoi, Masashi Yoshimi, Takeshi Hoshiba, Takahiko Hirasawa
  • Patent number: 8589043
    Abstract: A fail-to-neutral diagnostic technique for a transmission that includes a variator may include monitoring a state of a pressure differential valve fluidly coupled to a high side pressure applied to at least one actuator coupled to at least one corresponding roller of the variator and also fluidly coupled to a low side pressure applied to the at least one actuator, determining from the state of the pressure differential valve a variator torque sign corresponding to whether torque transferred by the at least one roller is positive or negative, determining an expected variator torque sign based on current operating conditions of the transmission, and commanding the transmission to a true neutral condition if the determined variator torque sign is different from the expected variator torque sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Darren J. Weber, John William Edward Fuller
  • Patent number: 8571733
    Abstract: A power supply system includes a main power storage device and a plurality of sub power storage devices. A converter is connected to a selected one of the sub power storage devices to convert voltage between the selected sub power storage device and an electric power feeding line bidirectionally. In response to decrease in SOC of the selected sub power storage device being used, a request to switch the sub power storage device is generated and accordingly a switching process for a relay is performed. Here, while a process for starting or stopping an engine is being performed, the request to switch will not be generated even when decrease in SOC is detected. Likewise, while a process for switching the sub power storage device is being performed, the process for starting or stopping the engine will not be started even when a request to start or stop the engine is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaya Yamamoto, Norihiko Kato, Haruki Sato
  • Patent number: 8571775
    Abstract: The invention relates to a smart actuator for actuating a clutch having a communication interface for connecting to a higher-level control unit, and at least one data line for connecting to the higher-level control unit, where the smart actuator is configured to identify errors in the higher-level control unit and/or an assigned second smart actuator, and where the smart actuator has controlling means that are suitable for converting the controlled system into a safe system state in the case of a recognized error. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding control method and a control system in which the smart actuators and the method are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Zimmermann, Martin Rapp
  • Patent number: 8565953
    Abstract: A power supply system includes a main power storage device and a plurality of sub power storage devices. A converter is connected to a selected one of the sub power storage devices to convert voltage between the selected sub power storage device and an electric power feeding line bidirectionally. The sub power storage device undergoes a connection switching process, and when the last sub power storage device is currently used, then, in accordance with that sub power storage device's SOC and the vehicle's state, a request is generated to disconnect the sub power storage device and a relay is turned off. In doing so, if a process is currently performed for starting or stopping an engine, generating the request is refrained even if a decreased SOC is sensed. Similarly, if a process is performed to disconnect a sub power storage device, and therewhile a request is generated to start/stop the engine, starting the process performed for starting or stopping the engine is refrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihiko Kato, Masaya Yamamoto, Haruki Sato
  • Patent number: 8565986
    Abstract: A system and method for maintaining the operation of an automated transmission (16), particularly a dual dutch transmission, for a motor vehicle, in case of a failure of an engine speed sensor (50) or a bus connection (44) between a first control module (42) controlling an engine (28) being connectable to the transmission (16) through at least one separation clutch (12, 149), and a second control module (34) controlling regulating units (12, 14) for connecting the engine (28) to the transmission (16) or to one or more driving wheels (34) in a force-transmitting manner, wherein gear-shift relevant data, particularly a number of revolutions (no) of the engine, is exchanged between the control modules (34, 42) over the bus connection (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignees: GETRAG Getriebe- und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG, GETRAG Transmission Corporation
    Inventors: Josef Glatthaar, Tobias Kalisch, Oliver Ottinger, Bruce Palansky
  • Patent number: 8560194
    Abstract: A shifting range sensing system, may include a shift lever pivotally connected to a vehicle body, a shift range sensing apparatus to sense a pivotal movement of the shift lever, an inhibitor switch mounted in a transmission, and a controller taking an emergency measure when a signal of the inhibitor switch and a signal of the shifting range sensing apparatus do not indicate the same shifting range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Kyung Chang Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eunsik Kim, Dohyon Won, Kangyoung Kim
  • Patent number: 8494730
    Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus includes a clutch that operates based on pressure of a fed fluid to adjust a mode of power transmission of an engine or/and a motor/generator on a power transmission route, a first driving pump that feeds the fluid to the clutch by being driven in accordance with rotation of the motor/generator, and a second driving pump that feeds the fluid to the clutch by being driven in accordance with electric power, wherein a first engagement unit and a second engagement unit can be caused to engage rapidly or slowly by selecting one of the first driving pump and the second driving pump as a source of the fluid, and when a drive request of the clutch is present and a rotation speed of the motor/generator is lower than a predetermined rotation speed, the first engagement unit and the second engagement unit are caused to engage rapidly by feeding the fluid from the second driving pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masato Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 8471521
    Abstract: A power source comprised of a first battery pack (e.g., a non-metal-air battery pack) and a second battery pack (e.g., a metal-air battery pack) is provided, wherein the second battery pack is only used as required by the state-of-charge (SOC) of the first battery pack or as a result of the user selecting an extended range mode of operation. Minimizing use of the second battery pack prevents it from undergoing unnecessary, and potentially lifetime limiting, charge cycles. The second battery pack may be used to charge the first battery pack or used in combination with the first battery pack to supply operational power to the electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah G. Stewart, Scott Ira Kohn, Kurt Russell Kelty, Jeffrey Brian Straubel
  • Patent number: 8450974
    Abstract: A power source comprised of a first battery pack (e.g., a non-metal-air battery pack) and a second battery pack (e.g., a metal-air battery pack) is provided, wherein the second battery pack is only used as required by the state-of-charge (SOC) of the first battery pack or as a result of the user selecting an extended range mode of operation. Minimizing use of the second battery pack prevents it from undergoing unnecessary, and potentially lifetime limiting, charge cycles. The second battery pack may be used to charge the first battery pack or used in combination with the first battery pack to supply operational power to the electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah G. Stewart, Scott Ira Kohn, Kurt Russell Kelty, Jeffrey Brian Straubel
  • Patent number: 8447418
    Abstract: A control system has regular ECUs and a recovery ECU. Each regular ECU controls driving of current consumers, respectively, drivable by driving methods and connected through output channels. The recovery ECU has output drivers, respectively, producing driving currents based on the driving methods and channel changing blocks corresponding to the respective driving methods. When receiving information indicating failure of an output channel of one regular ECU, the recovery ECU specifies the driving method of the failed channel, controls the driver of the specified driving method to produce a driving current, and controls the changing block of the specified driving method to select one output channel, through which the current consumer connected with the failed ECU through the failed channel is also connected with the changing unit. The recovery ECU performs substitute driving instead of the failed ECU to supply the current to the consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Katou
  • Patent number: 8423226
    Abstract: A dynamic diagnostic plan generator arranges diagnostic test procedures related to a vehicle symptom or operational problem in a sequence based on a probabilistic Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA). The diagnostic plan generator also tracks a vehicle state, and provides instructions for test preparation steps and instructions for performing the diagnostic test procedures. The plan generator further generates schematic illustrations of the diagnostic test procedures, and creates a diagnostic data structure containing information related to the diagnostic test procedures. In addition, the diagnostic plan generator sends and receives information regarding actual failure mode occurrences, for example, to and from a central database. Furthermore, the diagnostic plan generator facilitates the creation of failure mode tests by an expert diagnostics author.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Service Solutions U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Olav M. Underdal, Harry M. Gilbert, Oleksiy Portyanko, Randy L. Mayes, Gregory J. Fountain, William W. Wittliff, III
  • Patent number: 8423205
    Abstract: A safety system comprising an implant, a control device, and a machine. The machine has a control unit which is designed to allow operation of the machine only when a unique identifier has been received, and to set an operating mode of the machine as a function of the received suitability index. The implant is designed to detect physiological data of an implant wearer, and to either generate a suitability index based on detected physiological data and transmit the suitability index to the control device, or to transmit the physiological data itself to the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Biotronik SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Doerr, Michael Diebold
  • Patent number: 8412425
    Abstract: An exemplary transmission system includes a plurality of sensors each configured to output a signal at least partially representative of a speed of at least one of a first transmission input shaft, a second transmission input shaft, a transmission output shaft, and an engine. A transmission control module is in communication with the plurality of sensors and is configured to identify at least one of the plurality of sensors as a failed sensor and another of the plurality of sensors as a working sensor. The transmission control module is further configured to estimate the signal of the failed sensor based on a predetermined relationship between an expected signal from the failed sensor and the signal received from the working sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Kerfegar Khurshed Katrak, Ian Daniel McKenzie, Anthony Stasik, Jeffrey P. Hawarden, Todd William Fritz, Thomas R. Connolly, Kim Ann Brown
  • Publication number: 20130080009
    Abstract: A control system for a dry dual clutch transmission (DCT) includes first, second, and third modules. The first module detects whether a hydraulic pressure sensor of a hydraulic fluid delivery system in the dry DCT has failed. The second module estimates a pressure of hydraulic fluid within an accumulator of the hydraulic fluid delivery system based on one of (i) torque generated by and temperature of a hydraulic fluid pump and (ii) a drain down period of the accumulator and a period since the hydraulic fluid pump was on. The third module controls start/stop of the hydraulic fluid pump based on the estimated hydraulic fluid pressure when the hydraulic pressure sensor has failed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Zhen J. Zhang, David Juhassz, John E. Marano
  • Patent number: 8401752
    Abstract: A fail-to-neutral diagnostic technique for a transmission that includes a variator may include monitoring a state of a pressure differential valve fluidly coupled to a high side pressure applied to at least one actuator coupled to at least one corresponding roller of the variator and also fluidly coupled to a low side pressure applied to the at least one actuator, determining from the state of the pressure differential valve a variator torque sign corresponding to whether torque transferred by the at least one roller is positive or negative, determining an expected variator torque sign based on current operating conditions of the transmission, and commanding the transmission to a true neutral condition if the determined variator torque sign is different from the expected variator torque sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Darren J. Weber, John William Edward Fuller
  • Patent number: 8364344
    Abstract: Operation of a vehicle is controlled based on the presence of or absence of one or more identified foreign objects within one or more monitored zones about the vehicle. One or more transceivers receive information about the one or more foreign objects. Based on the received information and the one or more corresponding zones, one or more controllers identify a response, which may include notifying the user about the foreign object and/or generating a signal that inhibits the ignition from turning on. Controllers identify a response, which may include notifying a user about a present or absent object or generating a signal that inhibits the ignition from turning on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Boss, Peter G. Finn, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Brian M. O'Connell, James W. Seaman, Keith R. Walker
  • Patent number: 8359141
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and tangible medium using row sensing for calibrating geographical positions for guiding a farm implement and calibrated geographical positions for steering a vehicle along a row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Arthur F. Lange
  • Patent number: 8301350
    Abstract: In a control apparatus of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, there is a failsafe control that blocks power transmission from a drive source to drive wheels by releasing clutches of an automatic transmission when there is a shift switching failure. In consideration of the fact that when a working oil temperature of the automatic transmission is low (below the freezing point, for example), the viscosity of the working oil is high and response for power blocking is poor, in a case where an oil temperature at the time of a shift switching request is low (steps ST2 and ST3), the power transmission is blocked by releasing the clutches of the automatic transmission at the same time as the shift switching request (step ST11). Thus, a clutch release delay occurring when there is a shift switching failure at a low oil temperature is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Inoue, Naoki Nishimura, Tsuyoshi Sato
  • Patent number: 8296025
    Abstract: When a vehicle driver operates a momentary-type gear shift lever and the lever continuously stays for not less than a predetermined length of time at a target gear position, in R, D, and N positions, corresponding to a target shift range of the automatic transmission of a vehicle, a shift range switching apparatus judges that the lever is operated to the target gear position and instructs a DC motor to switch to the target shift range of the automatic transmission. The apparatus detects a “busy shift” (or incomplete) operation of the lever based on voltage signals transferred from vertical/horizontal direction sensors corresponding to the current position of the lever. The apparatus detects the occurrence of the “bush shift” (or incomplete) operation when the gear shift lever is returned to the original position after being operated from the original position toward the target gear shift position, but, does not reach it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Yuuichi Takamatsu
  • Patent number: 8290671
    Abstract: A control system for an automatic transmission that does not require a cut-off valve, and that can inhibit a reverse control even if a detection unit for detecting a shift range fails. The control system includes a first friction engagement element, which is engaged in predetermined forward and reverse shift speeds, a detection unit that detects a shift range from shift ranges that include a forward range and a reverse range; a failure judgment unit for judging failure of the detection unit, and an avoidance unit for shifting to a forward shift speed that does not engage the first friction engagement element if the failure judgment unit determines that the detection unit has failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Nishide, Shinichiro Murakami, Keisuke Umenaka
  • Patent number: 8285463
    Abstract: A method and control system for operating a transmission includes a transmission control module determining a transmission sensor signal and a transmission pressure sensor offset prior to starting a vehicle engine and an engine start initiator starting the vehicle engine. The transmission control module controls a transmission function in response the transmission pressure sensor offset and the pressure sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventors: Robert L. Moses, Ronald F. Lochocki, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8224542
    Abstract: In an automatic transmission of this invention, a determination as to whether or not a failure has occurred in a friction element is made repeatedly while a vehicle is traveling, and control to specify the failed friction element is begun when a vehicle speed falls to or below a predetermined value for the first time following detection of the failure in the friction element (S1, S3). When the failed friction element has been specified (S4, S13, S15, S24, S26, S35, S37), usable gear positions are determined on the basis of the specified friction element, whereupon shift control is performed using only the usable gear positions (S5, S14, S16, S25, S27, S36, S38, S39).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Fumitaka Nagashima, Takateru Kawaguchi, Shinya Mochiyama, Yoshihide Shinso
  • Patent number: 8219281
    Abstract: A system, method, and program product controls an operation of a vehicle based on the presence of one or more foreign objects within one or more monitored zones about the vehicle. One or more transceivers receive information about the one or more foreign objects. Based on the received information and the one or more corresponding zones, one or more controllers identify a response, which may include notifying the user about the foreign object and/or generating a signal that inhibits the ignition from turning on. The system, method, and program product also control an operation of a vehicle based on the absence of an object of the vehicle. Likewise, the one or more controllers identify a response, which may include notifying the user about the missing object and/or generating a signal that inhibits the ignition from turning on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Boss, Peter G. Finn, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Brian M. O'Connell, James W. Seaman, Keith R. Walker
  • Patent number: 8209094
    Abstract: A hydraulic implement system for a machine is disclosed. The hydraulic implement system may have a boom member, a boom actuator, and a boom operator control device movable to indicate a related operator desired boom member velocity. The hydraulic implement system may also have an implement pivotally connected to the boom member, an implement actuator, and an implement operator control device movable to indicated a related operator desired implement velocity. The range of the implement operator control device may be divided into a first portion and a second portion. The hydraulic implement system may also have a controller configured to selectively limit a velocity of the implement during manipulation of the implement operator control device within the first portion such that a lift velocity of the boom member of at least 65% of the desired boom member velocity is always possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hong-Chin Lin, Venkata Rama Varma Dantuluri
  • Patent number: 8160791
    Abstract: A method for detecting a fault in a coupling having the coupling elements that are movable against each other, which are situated between a first drive unit and a second drive unit, having the steps of providing a torque by the second drive unit, activating the coupling so that the coupling elements are moved into a position which, in the normal state of the coupling, corresponds to a touch point position which corresponds to a position of the coupling elements in which, in the normal state of the coupling, the coupling elements lie against each other, but no torque is able to be transmitted between the coupling elements, determining, after the setting in of the touch point position, whether a torque is being transmitted from the second drive unit to the first drive unit via the coupling, as well as detecting a fault in the coupling if it is determined that a certain torque is being transmitted via the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Felix Reber
  • Patent number: 8113988
    Abstract: A detection scheme for diagnosing failure of clutch control components in a hydraulic control module of a power transmission utilizes pressure switch sensors to detect the position of each of the valves associated with the clutch control mechanization. The mechanization of these sensors with the valves provides the ability to clearly define the position of each of the valves, while also enabling the transmission electro-hydraulic control module (TEHCM) to diagnose the state of health of each pressure switch. The detection scheme may then differentiate between a failed switch and a failed (e.g., “stuck” or “out of position”) valve, while preventing unexpected and undesired shift sequencing within the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Michael D. Foster
  • Patent number: 8086381
    Abstract: A method for emergency actuation of an automated dual-clutch transmission of a vehicle with electrohydraulic control via a transmission control device. The method includes disengaging one clutch of the dual-clutch transmission, in order to realize emergency operation of the transmission and applying pressure on the other clutch after an error signal is transmitted indicating a malfunction of the transmission and/or the transmission control device. In order to keep the complexity of the hardware of the hydraulic system low, both clutches are disengaged, when an error signal occurs, and adjusted to a safe initial state, and an actuating pressure is only re-applied to one of the two clutches after the initial state is reached. In addition to the already existing elements of the hydraulic system, only one device or software is required which detects and selects the clutch that is more advantageous for continued driving operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Anton Fritzer, Markus Herrmann, Thilo Schmidt, Christian Popp, Georg Gierer
  • Patent number: 8065064
    Abstract: An automatic transmission calculates a current thermal load state of the frictional element, predicts (S24, 531), prior to the start of the shift, a heat generation amount of the frictional element during the shift, predicts (S25, S32) a thermal load state of the frictional element upon shift completion on the basis of the current thermal load state and the predicted heat generation amount, and when the predicted thermal load state upon shift completion is inside a predetermined region, either performs (S28, S38) the shift after modifying a shift mode such that the heat generation amount of the frictional element is smaller than that of a case in which the predicted thermal load state upon shift completion is outside the predetermined region, or prohibits (S39) the shift, wherein the predetermined region is set at a different region depending on whether the shift is an upshift or a downshift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Tomomasa Ikeda, Hiroki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 8060285
    Abstract: A system and method of intelligent agent management within a vehicle intelligent agent system includes a host system, an overseer agent, and an agent that are all in communication via a communications network. The system includes an executable overseer agent management program that uses the identification code of the agent to determine if the agent identification code has been copied and deletes the agent from the intelligent agent system if the agent identification code has been copied. If the agent identification code has not been copied, the agent gathers new information, and the information in the agent knowledge database is updated using the new information and the updated information is transferred from the agent knowledge database to the overseer agent knowledge database. The overseer agent checks the validity of the transmitted information, and agent is deleted and a new agent is generated if the learned information is not valid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Shunsuke Chigusa
  • Patent number: 7983822
    Abstract: A range selection system for a vehicle including an automatic transmission and an internal mode switch (IMS) assembly. The range selection system includes a housing that is rotatable around a core, a first set of switches that induce a first current based on a rotational position of the housing and a second set of switches that induce a second current based on a rotational position of the housing. A control module determines first and second voltages based on the first and second currents, respectively and determines a range of the automatic transmission based on the first and second voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Jack P. Koski
  • Patent number: 7979184
    Abstract: An automatic transmission controller system and method are disclosed. In particular, disclosed is a system and method for controlling solenoid pressure control valves associated with an automatic transmission. The automatic transmission controller system comprises a controller which is configured to receive one or more electrical signal inputs for attributing each solenoid pressure control valve with one of a set of I-P calibration curves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael T. Dickinson, Chris Hopp
  • Publication number: 20110040463
    Abstract: A method and control system for operating a transmission includes a transmission control module determining a transmission sensor signal and a transmission pressure sensor offset prior to starting a vehicle engine and an engine start initiator starting the vehicle engine. The transmission control module controls a transmission function in response the transmission pressure sensor offset and the pressure sensor signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. Moses, Ronald F. Lochocki, JR.
  • Patent number: 7805224
    Abstract: A vehicle control system and method for facilitating operation of a vehicle by a driver with a potentially debilitating condition. At least one sensor provides sensor data corresponding to at least one of a vehicle condition or a driver condition. A database includes potentially debilitating condition data and symptoms data corresponding thereto. A central processing unit is in data communication with the database and the at least one sensor. The central processing monitors the operation of the vehicle by the driver based on the sensor data and the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sara H. Basson, Peter G. Fairweather, Dimitri Kanevsky
  • Patent number: 7764188
    Abstract: A system for maintaining machine operation comprises at least one monitoring device coupled to a portion of a machine operating in a machine environment, the at least one monitoring device configured to monitor a parameter associated with the machine. The system also comprises a first electronic control module communicatively coupled to the at least one monitoring device. The electronic control module is configured to identify a data collection error associated with the at least one monitoring device. The electronic control module is also configured to detect, in response to the data collection error, a second electronic control module proximate the first electronic control module, the second electronic control module configured to collect at least one parameter that is interchangeable with the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Steven Wayne O'Neal, Trent Ray Meiss
  • Patent number: 7584040
    Abstract: The following steps are performed in the control method: determining a mode of operation from amongst a permanent mode and a transient mode, as a function of a set of variables comprising said estimated values; correcting the value of the speed of rotation of the outlet shaft in such a manner that: if the mode has been determined as being the permanent mode, then the moving average (L?) of the gear ratio (L) over a period (T) of a plurality of unit time intervals lies between a first threshold value (S1) that is negative and a second threshold value (S2) that is positive; and if the mode has been determined as being the transient mode, then said moving average (L?) of the gear ratio (L) lies outside the range of values defined by the first and second threshold value (S1, S2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventor: Stéphane Rimaux
  • Publication number: 20090082150
    Abstract: A system for robust fault detection in an electrically variable, hydraulically controlled transmission includes independently monitoring hydraulic pressure within a hydraulic control circuit and electric machine rotation for detecting clutch state faults.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter E. Wu, Ryan D Martini, Syed Naqi, Jy-Jen F. Sah, Osama Almasri, Hanne Buur, Andrew M. Zettel, Charles J. Van Horn
  • Patent number: 7426429
    Abstract: An apparatus for preventing occupant injury during accident has various features to ensure safety including a sensor (70) detecting seat belt engagement and a means for varying the tension of a seatbelt (17), depending upon the weight of the occupant (110) sits on any of the seats (17), the load cell switch (18) will close, allowing the load cell output energy to energize the control module (25). The control module (25), after receiving signal communication from any of the load cells (15), will then enable the counter (50) to count the number of closed load cell switches (18) and enables the optoisolator switch (70) to then energize the latching relay (80) to check for the seat belt latching of the occupied seats (10) with closed load cell switches (18) and to energize, the latching relay switch (85).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Inventor: Joseph A Tabe
  • Patent number: RE42464
    Abstract: One of the two accelerator sensors 165a and 165b is detected faulty by analyzing variation patterns outputted by the two sensors even when the outputs of two sensors remain within their respective normal output ranges. An accelerator control input is determined using the output of the fault-free sensor if a faulty sensor is detected. The fault detector detects the faulty sensor by analyzing variation patterns of outputs of the first and second accelerator sensors when the outputs of the first and second accelerator sensors remain within respective normal output ranges thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Nada