Clutch Control Patents (Class 701/67)
  • Patent number: 8892324
    Abstract: A safety clutch for an electric drive which includes an electric motor and a shaft which is driven thereby. A transmission of torque between the electric motor and the shaft can be brought about by at least one connecting element. A controllable locking device via which an interruption in the transmission of torque between the electric motor and the shaft can be brought about, is assigned to the connecting element. The use of the safety clutch in an electric drive for a wheeled vehicle is disclosed, a controller evaluating the transmission of torque between the electric motor and the shaft using a vehicle state, and when a fault state is detected the controller transmitting a control signal to the controllable locking device, as a result of which an interruption is brought about in the transmission of torque between the electric motor and the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Bogner, Raphael Fischer
  • Patent number: 8892322
    Abstract: A method of determining clutch parameters at the initial start of operation of a friction clutch in a motor vehicle comprising the steps of: in a first phase, moving the clutch from an open state into a closed state and into an open state again at a predetermined constant slip of the clutch and determining and storing the position of the clutch during the movement when predetermined clutch torque thresholds are reached; in a second phase, in a first step, determining a touch point, a position hysteresis, and a torque hysteresis from the determined positions; determining a preliminary friction coefficient; determining preliminary form factors; determining a final friction coefficient; and determining final form factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Erhard Hodrus
  • Patent number: 8892323
    Abstract: A control device controls a transmission mechanism which includes a first clutch to be engaged at startup and a second clutch, and is interlocked when hydraulic pressure is supplied to the first and second clutches and when the first and second clutches are completely engaged. The control device includes a hydraulic pressure control unit controlling hydraulic pressure supplied to the transmission mechanism so that the first clutch is set in a completely engaged state and the second clutch is set in a slip interlock state where the second clutch is not completely engaged in the case of a return from an idle stop control in which an engine is automatically stopped. The hydraulic pressure control unit starts reducing hydraulic pressure supplied to the second clutch when an increased amount of an engine rotation speed per unit time becomes smaller than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignees: Jatco Ltd, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideshi Wakayama, Keichi Tatewaki, Hiroshi Sekiya, Koutarou Tagami, Seiichiro Takahashi, Yuzuru Tohta, Takashi Matsuda, Daisuke Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8886428
    Abstract: An unlocking controller is provided for an irreversible rotary transmission system having the irreversible rotary transmission system having an irreversible rotation transmission element arranged between an input shaft and an output shaft. The unlocking controller includes an input shaft rotation direction determination section and an unlocking torque setting section. The input shaft rotation direction determination section determines whether an input shaft rotational direction is the same as, or opposite to, a direction of the load torque of the output shaft. The unlocking torque setting section conducts an unlocking torque control that sets the unlocking torque a higher value when the input shaft rotational direction and the direction of the load torque of the output shaft are the same as while the lock is released, than when the input shaft rotational direction is opposite to the direction of the direction of the load torque of the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Mori, Yutaka Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8886427
    Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus for an automatic transmission has a circulating oil supply passage that supplies circulating oil to a starting apparatus, a circulating oil discharge passage that discharges circulating oil from the starting apparatus, and a speed change mechanism oil supply passage that supplies oil to a speed change mechanism. The oil discharged from an oil pump is supplied to the starting apparatus and the speed change mechanism. A first flow rate changing device that can change the flow rate of the circulating oil is arranged in the circulating oil discharge passage. A first flow rate instructing portion output a command to the flow rate changing device to change the flow rate when the amount of oil discharged from the oil pump is low, and reduces the flow rate to the starting apparatus, which enables the hydraulic pressure necessary for shifting to be obtained in the speed change mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Shimizu, Kenichi Tsuchida, Yoshimitsu Hyodo, Kazunori Ishikawa, Hironori Sugiura, Satoshi Nishio, Kazuki Kojima
  • Patent number: 8882636
    Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes a transmission and a clutch. The slip of the clutch is adjusted to a target where a magnitude of a sensed parameter of a shaft of the transmission corresponds to a desired noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) level in the powertrain. The sensed parameter of the transmission shaft may be one of acceleration, speed, and torque of the transmission shaft. The transmission shaft may be one of the input shaft and output shaft of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, Yuji Fujii, Diana Yanakiev, Joseph F. Kucharski, Nimrod Kapas, Alexander O'Connor Gibson, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Publication number: 20140329642
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a detector of a damping assembly in a vehicle is disclosed. The damping assembly comprises a damper for connecting a transmission shaft of a transmission system of the vehicle to a driving shaft, the method comprising the step of applying different torques at the damping assembly by generating losses at different working conditions of the transmission system, so that the damper can be compared to a damper of a reference vehicle for each of said different working conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Mancarella Francesco, Matteo Venturelli, Gabriele Morandi
  • Patent number: 8880310
    Abstract: If it is determined that a D range is in use and determined that a vehicle is stopped, neutral control means (25) commands and controls an engagement pressure of a clutch (C-1) so as to achieve a state in which a piston of the clutch (C-1) contacts a clutch drum by a biasing force of a spring, and a state in which oil fills an oil passage from a linear solenoid valve (SLC1) to a hydraulic oil chamber and fills the hydraulic oil chamber. There is thus no drag loss in the clutch (C-1) during a neutral control, and the same fuel economy as when, for example, a manual shift to the neutral range is made can be achieved during the neutral control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tsutsui, Yutaka Teraoka, Masatake Ichikawa, Shoji Omitsu
  • Patent number: 8880311
    Abstract: A method and device are provided for controlling disengagement of an automated vehicle master clutch arranged in a vehicle drivetrain between a vehicle propulsion unit and a step geared transmission. The method includes the steps of determining a first output torque of the propulsion unit prior to initiation of a master clutch disengagement procedure, computing a second output torque of the propulsion unit in dependence of at least the first output torque, and where the second output torque is closer to zero torque than the first output torque, initiating the master clutch disengagement procedure by initiating an oscillation in drive shafts by abruptly altering propulsion unit output torque from the first to the second output torque, and disengaging the master clutch when the oscillation has reached a first oscillation turning point. Benefits can include faster gear shifting and better comfort with maintained transmission durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Behrooz Razaznejad, Henrik Ryberg
  • Patent number: 8874339
    Abstract: A method of estimating transmission torque of a vehicle dry clutch may suitably estimate a variation in the characteristics of transmission torque relative to the actuator stroke of a dry clutch even during the driving of a vehicle, so that the dry clutch is more suitably controlled. In the method of estimating transmission torque of a dry clutch, a clutch is released so that a slip of the clutch occurs. If the slip of the clutch has occurred, the slip of the clutch is uniformly maintained. If the slip of the clutch is uniformly maintained, a relationship between a stroke of an actuator of the clutch and transmission torque of the clutch is determined from a relationship between the stroke of the actuator and torque of an engine in the uniformly maintained slip state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventors: Young Min Yoon, So Young Lee, Sung Hyun Cho, Ho Young Lee, Joung Chul Kim, Seung Sam Baek
  • Patent number: 8868307
    Abstract: A shift control method of an automatic transmission may include detecting an end point of an inertia section during upshifting, momentarily reducing a hydraulic pressure applied to engagement side frictional elements at the detected end point of the inertia section, increasing the reduced hydraulic pressure with a predetermined gradient until reaching a synchronization point, and momentarily increasing the hydraulic pressure when the synchronization point may be reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventor: Byeong Wook Jeon
  • Patent number: 8868312
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for controlling the speed of a vehicle comprising: during a pulse phase of cruise control, applying engine torque to raise speed, the amount and duration of which being responsive to engine speed; and during a glide phase of cruise control, discontinuing engine combustion. In this way cruise control may maintain a mean speed equivalent to a desired, threshold speed while reducing fuel consumption, and NVH effects felt by the end user compared to traditional cruise control methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Edward Pedlar, Chris Connelly, David Hesketh, Themi Philemon Petridis
  • Publication number: 20140309898
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission apparatus having a starting engagement friction element, which has friction plates and a hydraulic servo including a piston that is moved according to a supplied oil pressure to press the friction plates, which is controlled to be engaged when a vehicle is started by using at least a driving force of the internal combustion engine, and which transfers creep torque. A control device capable of receiving an accelerator operation amount signal and capable of outputting a command value that controls the oil pressure. The control device executes temporary increase control of temporarily increasing the command value, when the accelerator operation amount signal is turned on from a state where the accelerator operation amount signal is off and the command value is output so that the starting engagement friction element transfers the creep torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yusuke Kitazawa, Kohei Tsuda
  • Patent number: 8862353
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for detecting tuning measures through which the actual output power of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle is increased relative to design output power value, whereby, to detect the tuning measures, deviations of actual output power value from a nominal output power value are evaluated, the latter being provided by a control device. The invention is distinguished in that measures are initiated to protect a clutch device from overload as soon as torque to be transmitted by the clutch device exceeds a critical value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Reuschel
  • Patent number: 8862344
    Abstract: A clutch actuator and to a method for the control thereof. The actuator actuates a multi-disk clutch, and to do so has actuator modules. The number of which corresponds to the number of the friction clutches. The modules have separate control units and electric motors, which are controlled by the control units and act on the friction clutches by a disengaging mechanism. In order to counter block the partial drive trains disposed downstream of the friction clutches, particularly automatically closed friction clutches during a malfunction of an actuator module, the actuator modules are connected among each other to a data line, which allows monitoring of the actuator modules and counter-measures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Zimmermann, Matthias Gramann, Juergen Gerhart, Martin Rapp, Wolfgang Hill, Michael Menzel, Wai-Wai Buchet
  • Patent number: 8862352
    Abstract: A control system for an automatic transmission includes a double transition shift detection module and first and second clutch control modules. The double transition shift detection module detects whether a double transition shift operation is requested. The first clutch control module controls two of four transitioning clutches of the transmission during an inertia phase of the double transition shift operation. The second clutch control module controls each of the four transitioning clutches of the transmission during a torque phase of the double transition shift operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventors: Nathaniel E. Wilke, John E. Marano, Andrew W. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20140303862
    Abstract: A method for controlling an operational state of a differential of a machine is disclosed. The method includes determining a transmission output speed, a transmission output torque and a degree of steering of the machine. The method further includes actuating a locking mechanism associated with the differential based on the transmission output speed, the transmission output torque, and the degree of steering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Hoff, Mark E. Rettig
  • Publication number: 20140303863
    Abstract: In a control apparatus for a vehicle power transmission mechanism (automatic transmission) having a transmission equipped with at least an input shaft connected to a drive source mounted on a vehicle and an output shaft connected to the input shaft via a clutch (start clutch) whose engaging force is regulated, a clutch output rotation change rate is calculated, and the clutch engaging force is corrected to decrease when the calculated output rotation change rate is a positive value, and the clutch engaging force is corrected to increase when the calculated output rotation change rate is a negative value, thereby enabling to suppress clutch juddering occurred due to a difference between input and output rotational speeds of the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Takeshi Kurata, Akihira Aoki, Keiji Tojo, Isao Tabushi
  • Patent number: 8855870
    Abstract: A clutch control device for an industrial vehicle includes: a braking force detection device that detects braking force of the industrial vehicle; a speed stage detection device that detects a set speed stage of a transmission; a clutch control device that controls engage/release of a forward clutch so that the forward clutch is released when a clutch cut off condition is judged to be satisfied based upon braking force of the industrial vehicle detected by the braking force detection device; and a switching device that automatically switches the clutch cut off condition in the clutch control device based upon a set speed stage of the transmission detected by the speed stage detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hyodo, Takashi Takeyama, Akira Shimohira
  • Patent number: 8855879
    Abstract: A method of operating a clutch serving as a shift element and/or starting clutch of a drive train. During engagement, the clutch will be filled by a fast filling up to a defined minimum pressure. The fast filling is at least subdivided into two phases comprising a basic filling phase and an extension and/or a cutout phase. At the end of the basic filling phase, the actual clutch pressure is measured, and then, when the actual clutch pressure is equal to or larger than the minimum pressure, the extension and/or cutout phase is activated immediately following the basic filling phase. When the actual clutch pressure is lower than the minimum pressure, activation of the extension and/or the cutout phase is at least delayed by a pressure holding phase and, if necessary, by a pressure surplus phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Martin-Joachim Bader, Karl Locher, Robert Gronner, Olaf Moseler, Markus Terwart, Michael Vollmann
  • Patent number: 8849489
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling first and second electric motors of a vehicle having an electrically variable transmission during an engine start/stop operation. The system and method determine a type of shift being performed, determine if a first clutch is being applied or released during the shift, determine if a second clutch is being applied or released during the shift, determine an acceleration limit based on the shift being performed and which clutch is being applied and/or released, determine acceleration and speed profiles based on the shift being performed, which clutch is being applied and/or released and the acceleration limit, determine a first electric motor torque and a second electric motor torque based on the acceleration and speed profiles, and set the torques of the first and second electric motors to the determined first and second electric motor torques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Nadirsh Patel, Ashish Krupadanam, Goro Tamai, Mengyang Zhang
  • Patent number: 8849531
    Abstract: A method of managing clutch thermal loads in a multi-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) paired with an engine in a vehicle includes assessing whether the vehicle is being accelerated and ascertaining whether a position of a vehicle accelerator during the acceleration is maintained within a predetermined range. The method also includes identifying a DCT clutch that is being slipped during the acceleration, determining an amount of time remaining until the clutch stops slipping, and comparing a first preset time span indicative of the time remaining until the clutch reaches a threshold temperature with the amount of time remaining until the clutch stops slipping. The method additionally includes setting a time delay for activating an indicator if the amount of time remaining until the clutchs stops slipping is greater than the first preset time span. Furthermore, the method includes activating the indicator after the time delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Joseph B. Burtch
  • Patent number: 8849529
    Abstract: A method for determining the contact point for a clutch in a vehicle comprising an engine, a clutch, powered wheels and a gearbox. The gearbox has a first gearbox component which is connected to the clutch and disconnectable from the powered wheels. The method steps include estimating (405) a friction torque for the first gearbox component, whereby the torque transmitted by the clutch is a function of estimated friction torque, closing (407) the clutch, whereby a representation of a torque transmitted by the clutch is determined for a plurality of positions for the clutch, determining (409) the contact point by means of the determined representation of torque transmitted, and the further step (402), before the closure of the clutch, of accelerating the first gearbox component if its rotation speed is below a certain value. Also a system and a vehicle for performing the method are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventor: Peter Juhlin-Dannfelt
  • Patent number: 8849530
    Abstract: Clutch control values are determined via a method in a vehicle during a power-on upshift. Pressure to an offgoing clutch is decreased to a calibrated holding pressure after onset of the upshift. Proportional-integral-derivative (PID) logic of a controller is used to introduce a calibrated error into a pressure command to the offgoing clutch during fill of the oncoming clutch. This causes a calibrated slip to occur across the offgoing clutch, and a resultant threshold amount of flare to occur in turbine speed. The slip and flare are held using the PID logic. The pressure/torque relationship of the offgoing clutch is recorded. A fill level of the oncoming clutch is determined using a trajectory of an integrator term of the PID logic. A control value of the oncoming or the offgoing clutch is adjusted using at least one of the fill level, the recorded clutch pressure, and the recorded clutch torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Todd J. Thor
  • Patent number: 8849533
    Abstract: A method of searching for the touch point of a clutch includes a gear release determination step of determining whether the gear of a non-drive shaft has been released after a change of speed, a clutch operation step of, if the gear has been released, engaging a clutch connected to the non-drive shaft up to a current touch point, and a learning step of determining and learning the propriety of the current touch point depending on changes in the speed of the non-drive shaft after the clutch operation step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventors: Young Min Yoon, Sung Hyun Cho, Joung Chul Kim, Seung Sam Baek
  • Patent number: 8849522
    Abstract: A system incorporating one or more interrogators or readers on heavy construction equipment (e.g., loaders) detect signals emanating from signal transmitters on clothing or equipment of construction workers. Responsive to the detection of a signal emanating from behind the heavy equipment, or in another position relative to the heavy equipment, the driver is notified audibly of the danger such that the driver may stop the movement of the heavy equipment or causes the brakes to be applied and transmission to be disengaged automatically without operator involvement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Robert L. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 8849532
    Abstract: A method of managing clutch thermal loads in a multi-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) that is paired with an engine in a vehicle. The method includes assessing whether the vehicle is being accelerated and identifying a DCT clutch slipping during the acceleration. The method also includes determining vehicle parameters, determining an amount of time remaining for the clutch to stop slipping using the determined vehicle parameters, and determining an amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches a threshold temperature. The method additionally includes comparing the determined amount of time remaining for the clutch to stop slipping with the determined amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches the threshold temperature. Furthermore, the method includes activating an indicator if the determined amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches the threshold temperature is less than the determined amount of time remaining for the clutch to stop slipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Joseph B. Burtch
  • Publication number: 20140277976
    Abstract: A vehicle controller includes a lock-up clutch disposed to a power transmission path between an engine and a driving wheel, and a clutch configured to connect and disconnect the power transmission path, wherein at the time of switching driven traveling for causing a vehicle to travel by connecting the power transmission path and inertia traveling for causing the vehicle to travel by disconnecting the power transmission path, the lock-up clutch and the clutch are switched at switching start timings different from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaki Mitsuyasu
  • Patent number: 8838366
    Abstract: A hybrid drive apparatus includes an input member that is drivingly connected to a rotary electric machine and drivingly connected via an input clutch to an internal combustion engine, an output member that is drivingly connected to the input member and transmits rotation of the input member to wheels, and a control device that controls the rotary electric machine. The control device is capable of performing valve opening/closing phase control that advances or retards opening/closing phases of valve elements provided in the internal combustion engine via a valve opening/closing phase adjusting mechanism and, with the internal combustion engine in a stopped state before starting a vehicle, advances the opening/closing phases of the valve elements to bring the opening/closing phases of the valve elements into an advanced phase state relative to predetermined reference phases, thus starting the vehicle with torque of the rotary electric machine in the advanced phase state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignees: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daiki Suyama, Toshihiko Kamiya
  • Patent number: 8838352
    Abstract: A method and a vehicle transmission for selecting a starting gear in a vehicle are provided, the method including steps of measuring a starting gear selection parameter, and selecting a starting gear for the next coming vehicle take-off in dependence of the measured starting gear selection parameter, wherein the starting gear selection parameter is the number of vehicle take offs per time unit. Additionally the parameter can be acceleration in movement of an accelerator pedal being depressed by a driver, accelerator pedal position and clutch wear. Benefits are increased clutch endurance for a vehicle that during at least a period has to perform frequent take-offs and at the same time enhancing take-off comfort for a vehicle that during at least a period goes long-distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Anders Eriksson, Johan Bjernetun
  • Patent number: 8831848
    Abstract: An electro-hydraulic clutch system for a motor vehicle includes a clutch mechanism that selectively engages an engine of the motor vehicle with a gear box, an actuator that pumps and retrieves hydraulic fluid to and from the clutch mechanism to activate the clutch mechanism, and a solenoid with a valve and/or a check ball that is disposed in the path of the hydraulic fluid between the actuator and the clutch mechanism. The solenoid has a normally closed position to prevent flow of the hydraulic fluid back to the actuator in the event of a system failure. The solenoid can also be used to reduce energy consumption in steady state conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth K. Lang, Hamid Vahabzadeh, Christian Rübsam
  • Patent number: 8831834
    Abstract: In a vehicle information management system, a storage includes a storage region arranged to store abnormality data that includes diagnostic data, type information indicating a type of an abnormality, and occurrence number information that indicates the number of occurrences of each abnormality specified by the type information. When the type of an abnormality is specified by an abnormality specifying unit and a new diagnostic data is produced and if the abnormality data of the same type as the specified type is already stored in the storage region in the storage, an updating unit changes the occurrence number information to the latest information and overwrites and saves the diagnostic data in the storage region already stored with the abnormality data of the same type as the specified type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoko Fujime
  • Patent number: 8831847
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drivetrain having an automatic clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Winkelmann, Boris Serebrennikov
  • Patent number: 8825319
    Abstract: A method of controlling the performance of a vehicle from a stationary condition includes operating a vehicle powertrain in a creep mode following the disengagement of a driver-operated braking device; and operating the vehicle powertrain in a launch mode following an engagement of a driver-operated acceleration device subsequent to the disengagement of the driver-operated braking device. Operating a vehicle powertrain in a creep mode includes: applying a friction clutch to couple an engine crankshaft of the vehicle powertrain with an input shaft of the transmission; determining a torque command to accelerate the vehicle powertrain at a predetermined rate; providing the torque command to an engine controller to controllably increase the input torque to the transmission; and operating a closed loop engine speed control module to prevent the crankshaft speed from slowing below a predetermined engine idle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Klaus Pochner, Colin Hultengren, Krishnedu Kar
  • Patent number: 8825323
    Abstract: A machine control system for use with a machine having a power source and a transmission is disclosed. The machine control system may have a clutch configured to connect an output of the power source with an input of the transmission. The machine control system may also have a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a speed of the power source, and a controller in communication with the clutch and the sensor. The controller may be configured to vary an actuating force of the clutch based on the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hong-Chin Lin, Michael A. Spielman, Jr., Paul Douglas Hagen
  • Patent number: 8825341
    Abstract: A vehicle information management system eliminates the need for a large capacity storage and allows an abnormality and a malfunction to be easily specified. An updating unit does not store diagnostic data obtained at the time of an engine stall in a storage if it is determined that the engine stalls is because of a rider's operation of the vehicle, and stores diagnostic data obtained at the time of the engine stall in the storage if it is determined that the engine stall is not attributable to a rider's operation of the vehicle, based on detection results from an operation detector and an engine state detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoko Fujime
  • Patent number: 8825324
    Abstract: A four-wheel-drive vehicle includes: a drive source which generates torque forming a driving force of the vehicle; a driving force transmission system which transmits the torque of the drive source to main driven wheels and auxiliary driven wheels; and a dog clutch provided in the driving force transmission system and capable of transmitting the torque to an auxiliary driven wheel side by engagement of a recess portion and a protruding portion. The vehicle further includes: a determination unit which determines whether a friction coefficient of a road surface is lower than a predetermined value based on an index value relating to the friction coefficient of the road surface; and a control unit which generates a control signal which causes engagement of the dog clutch before the vehicle starts when the determination unit determines that the friction coefficient of the road surface is lower than the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Horaguchi, Akihiro Ohno, Masaki Mita
  • Publication number: 20140244123
    Abstract: A vehicle controller includes a first abrupt deceleration determining unit (a rotation change rate determining unit, an ABS determining unit) configured to determine an abrupt deceleration state of a vehicle, and a second abrupt deceleration determining unit (a brake determining unit) having a required time for determining an abrupt deceleration shorter in comparison with that of the first abrupt deceleration determining unit, wherein any one of the first abrupt deceleration determining unit and the second abrupt deceleration determining unit is used for determining the abrupt deceleration of the vehicle 1 according to a vehicle speed of the vehicle or a road surface friction coefficient, and the second abrupt deceleration determining unit is used for determining the abrupt deceleration in a region where the vehicle speed or the road surface friction coefficient is lower than the first abrupt deceleration determining unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hitoshi Matsunaga, Tomoyuki Honda
  • Patent number: 8818666
    Abstract: A method for controlling a damper clutch may include determining whether the damper clutch is in a slip or lock-up state in a driving state of a vehicle, determining whether a condition of the vehicle is within a predetermined resonant range, determining whether a torque of the vehicle is within a predetermined resonant torque range, detecting a subharmonic vibration when the damper clutch is in the slip or lock-up state, the condition of the vehicle is within the predetermined resonant range, and the torque of the vehicle is within the predetermined resonant torque range, and controlling the damper clutch to slip or be open when the subharmonic vibration is larger than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Chang Kook Chae, Heungseok Lee, Sukil Oh, Wan Soo Oh, Jin Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8818663
    Abstract: Clutch pressure of an oncoming clutch may be determined during an upshift in an automatic transmission by determining when offgoing and oncoming clutches of the transmission near a speed synchronization point. Aboard a vehicle, proportional-integral-derivative (PID) feedback control logic of for the oncoming clutch may be activated via a controller. The controller and the activated PID logic may be used to introduce a calibrated slip error between the rotational speeds of the offgoing and oncoming clutches. Engine speed is then held in a calibrated flare using the PID logic. Oncoming clutch pressure is recorded during the duration of the calibrated flare, and a control action is executed with respect to the transmission using the recorded oncoming clutch pressure, e.g., using recorded PID gains and/or a pressure/torque relationship of the oncoming clutch. A vehicle having an engine, transmission, and controller may use the controller to execute such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Todd J. Thor, Brian M. Porto
  • Patent number: 8818658
    Abstract: An active damping system provides a torque adjustment command that is combined with the raw motor torque command of a vehicle to compensate for oscillations and vibrations in the driveline of a hybrid vehicle. Active damping may be provided by a derivative controller or by a lead-lag compensation between initiation of clutch engagement and full clutch engagement. Active damping is terminated upon full clutch engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Qing Wang, Wei Liang, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Ming Lang Kuang
  • Patent number: 8814741
    Abstract: There is provided a drive device for a vehicle. A forward clutch that is engaged during forward driving is provided in a power transmission path between an engine and a drive wheel. A spring is incorporated in an engagement oil chamber of the forward clutch, thereby causing the forward clutch to be held in a slipping state or an engaged state through the spring force even during an idling stop that suffers from reduced control oil pressure. This arrangement can prevent the forward clutch from producing an engagement shock during an engine restart. In addition, an input clutch driven by an electric actuator is provided in the power transmission path. With this arrangement, neutral control can be performed by disengaging the input clutch even if the forward clutch which is to be held in a slipping state or an engaged state is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takaharu Kikura, Yoshinobu Yamazaki, Yusuke Kakihara, Kensuke Kaneda, Susumu Ito
  • Patent number: 8812208
    Abstract: A control apparatus of a hybrid vehicle provided with an engine, a motor, an automatic transmission performing a shift by engaging/disengaging a plurality of engagement elements, a first clutch arranged between the engine and the motor for transmitting/cutting a driving force between the engine and the motor and a second clutch arranged between the motor and driving wheels for transmitting/cutting a driving force from the motor to the driving wheels, has a slip control section that controls the second clutch to a slip state during the shift of the automatic transmission. In a case of a successive shift in which a current shift and a succeeding shift are successively performed, the slip control section gradually increases an engagement pressure of the second clutch when changing the slip state of the second clutch to a fully engaged state after the current shift is completed and before the succeeding shift is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Masami Suzuki, Fumihiro Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 8812200
    Abstract: A method of determining an operating state of a form-locking shift element of a transmission apparatus that, at least for changing one operating state between a disengaged operating state and an engaged operating state, is pressurized with an actuating pressure by a pressure-conducting region of the transmission apparatus. The pressure of the pressure-conducting region is monitored. Depending on the progression of the pressure of the pressure-conducting region, while pressurizing the form-locking shift element with the actuating pressure for changing the operating state, checking whether the form-locking shift element has the requested operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Rainer Novak
  • Patent number: 8798838
    Abstract: A control device of a hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a motor/generator, a first clutch, an automatic transmission, a second clutch, and startup/shifting simultaneous processing section. When engine speed increase control for increasing the engine speed by the motor/generator in order to start up the engine during travel and downshifting control of the automatic transmission are processed in parallel, the startup/shifting simultaneous processing section uses the motor torque of the motor/generator to increase the increase of input speed by the downshifting control to a target input speed while engine speed increase control is being performed by the motor/generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., JATCO Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumihiro Yamanaka, Masami Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8798839
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle control device is provided with an engine, a motor/generator, a first clutch, an automatic transmission, a second clutch, and a controller having a simultaneous process selection control section. The simultaneous process selection control section performs engine startup control and downshift control in parallel in cases where the torque outputtable by the motor subsequent to downshifting during overlap of an engine startup request and a downshift request is equal to or greater than the engine startup torque, or performs engine startup control first then downshift control in cases where the torque outputtable by the motor subsequent to downshifting is less than the engine startup torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., JATCO Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumihiro Yamanaka, Masami Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8798884
    Abstract: A clutch control process for a motor vehicle transmission during brake lift-out monitors a time rate of change of a brake pedal position and torque to detect a lift-out condition with rapidly changing torque. When the process detects a brake lift-out condition, the process limits the minimum scheduled clutch pressure as well as modifies the clutch pressure to torque relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Brian M. Porto, Brian H. Fiore
  • Publication number: 20140207349
    Abstract: A method for approximately determining the torque actually transmitted by a clutch of a drive train of a vehicle, includes the steps of: setting a closed state of the clutch and transmitting a torque by way of the drive train, providing a state space model showing the drive train, particularly a Kalman filter, determining a torque which can theoretically be transmitted or is transmitted by the clutch in the closed state, and approximately determining the torque actually transmitted by the clutch, by adding the theoretically transmittable or transmitted torque and a disturbance torque determined by calculation, wherein the disturbance torque is determined on the basis of the state space model and actual rotational speeds of individual drive train components and/or of actual torques transmitted by individual drive train components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas CHRIST, Felix LINS
  • Patent number: 8788167
    Abstract: A clutch control unit includes a clutch motor controller that controls a clutch motor. The clutch motor controller has a target clutch motor current computing unit that computes a target clutch motor current for adjusting torque of the clutch motor to be torque corresponding to an operating state of the vehicle, and a motor driving and braking selection unit that selects a motor driving mode in which the clutch motor is driven by applying feedback control on an output of the clutch motor or a motor braking mode in which the clutch motor is braked by short-circuiting the clutch motor according to a difference between the target clutch motor current and an actually detected clutch motor current. It thus becomes possible to provide a control system of a transmission that engages a clutch by a motor braking force in a manner that suits the running state of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Ishikawa, Takeru Okabe, Nozomu Kamioka, Tomohisa Shoda, Masaki Horii, Yasufumi Ogawa, Shiro Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 8788161
    Abstract: There is provided a method for setting an operating pressure of a transmission, the transmission having at least one of clutches, brakes, actuators, a hydrodynamic clutch, and a hydrodynamic converter, to which a medium conducting the operating pressure can selectively be applied, in order to vary a transmission ratio of at least one of a speed and a torque between a transmission input shaft and a transmission output shaft by opening and closing at least one of the clutches and the brakes, by actuating the actuators, and/or by a hydrodynamic power transmission using at least one of the hydrodynamic clutch and the hydrodynamic converter, wherein the operating pressure being switchable between a constant nominal value and a constant decreased value that is smaller in relation thereto, or the operating pressure being reducible in three or more steps or continuously from a nominal value to a decreased value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Hofig, Michael Gerlich, Michael Reik, Christoph Wurster