Clutch Control Patents (Class 701/67)
  • Patent number: 8788168
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a dual clutch and a dual clutch housing two friction clutches which are each actuated independently of one another by means of a hydrostatic actuator. The hydrostatic actuator actuates the clutch as a function of a control signal of a control unit by means of a pressure which is applied to the actuation element and corresponds to a position of an actuation element of the friction clutch along an activation path. In order to sense a change in the position of the actuation element on one friction clutch which is brought about by the pressure on the actuation element of the other friction clutch, it is proposed to determine a correction variation for the purpose of compensating the changed position by means of a variable which represents the pressure of the disruptive hydrostatic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Markus Baehr
  • Patent number: 8781695
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to control the pickup on an uphill slope of an automotive vehicle provided with an automatic or robotized gearbox provide the definition of a control strategy of the gear box operation, also according to the gradient of the uphill slope, which is preferably calculated based on a longitudinal acceleration value of the automotive vehicle, and based on the altitude at which the automotive vehicle can be found, which is preferably calculated based on a detected atmospheric pressure value. In this way, it is also possible to consider the reduction in the engine torque due to the reduction in the air density with altitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Bianco, Claudio Cervone, Giuseppe Gatti, Giuseppe Lorusso, Euplio Pagliarulo, Francesco Cimmino
  • Patent number: 8781699
    Abstract: A coasting control device that prevents failures due to deterioration of a release bearing. The device includes an cumulative disengagement time measuring unit cumulatively measuring a duration of time that a clutch is being disengaged during coasting control, and an overtime restricting unit prohibiting coasting control when the measured cumulative clutch disengagement time has exceeded a predetermined time giving an indication of fatigue of a member of the clutch, and/or an overtime alarm unit providing an alarm when the measured cumulative clutch disengagement time has exceeded a predetermined time giving an indication of fatigue of the member of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Isuzu Motors Limited, Transtron Inc.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Iwao, Yasushi Yamamoto, Kazuhiko Kobayashi, Hiroyuki Arai, Kouhei Takama
  • Patent number: 8777814
    Abstract: A torque transfer device (34) for a motor vehicle includes a clutch (50) for transferring torque between first and second shafts (76, 78). An electromagnetic actuator (98, 102) includes an axially moveable armature (102) for applying an application force to the clutch (50). An actuator control system includes a position sensor (118c) operable to output a signal indicative of a position of the armature (102). The control system determines a target torque to be transferred by the clutch (50) and a target armature position based on a previously determined clutch torque vs. armature position relationship. The control system varies an electrical input to the electromagnetic actuator (98, 102) to perform closed loop control of the armature position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventors: Timothy M. Burns, Hsing-Hua Fan
  • Patent number: 8775043
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an internal-combustion engine, an engine starter ISG motor, a main motor that drives rear wheels, a CVT pulley belt disposed between an engine output shaft and a front wheel shaft, a clutch connected between the output shaft of the internal-combustion engine and an input shaft of the CVT, a battery, and a hybrid controller. When the hybrid controller determines that there is a need to add a traction force of the engine from a state where the vehicle is driven by the main motor alone, the hybrid controller controls the respective components so as to start the engine by the ISG motor in a state where the clutch is disengaged, control a speed ratio of the CVT so that a CVT input speed achieves a target speed for starting clutch engagement, detects the engine rotation speed, detects the CVT input speed, and engages the clutch when a difference between those speeds falls within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Bosch Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Imaseki, Takashi Miyano, Nils Schoeche
  • Patent number: 8775036
    Abstract: When a capacity coefficient (Cre) of a torque converter is larger than or equal to a predetermined threshold (CreA), a speed ratio (e) is calculated on the basis of an actual power transmission efficiency (?) by referring to a predetermined unique relationship between a power transmission efficiency (?) and a speed ratio (e). Therefore, even in a second speed ratio variation range (R2) in which the capacity coefficient (Cre) is larger than or equal to the threshold (CreA) and the speed ratio (e) is not uniquely determined for the capacity coefficient (Cre), the speed ratio (e) is calculated using the unique relationship between the speed ratio (e) and the power transmission efficiency (?), so the speed ratio (e) may be calculated in all the speed ratio variation range of the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daisuke Inoue
  • Patent number: 8775039
    Abstract: A motorized vehicle includes a transmission system and an inch/brake device providing at least two ranges of motion. An engagement force of the transmission system is provided in a first range of motion of the inch/brake device, and a braking force of the motorized vehicle is provided in a second range of motion of the inch/brake device. An accelerator device moves between two or more positions, wherein moving the accelerator device from one position to another position causes an amount of overlap between the first and second ranges of motion of the inch/brake device to vary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: NMHG Oregon, LLC
    Inventors: Chenyao Chen, Kristian Ressler
  • Patent number: 8775044
    Abstract: A control system and method for controlling a multiple gear ratio automatic transmission in a powertrain for an automatic transmission having pressure activated friction torque elements to effect gear ratio upshifts. The friction torque elements are synchronously engaged and released during a torque phase of an upshift event as torque from a torque source is increased while allowing the off-going friction elements to slip, followed by an inertia phase during which torque from a torque source is modulated. A perceptible transmission output torque reduction during an upshift is avoided. Measured torque values are used during a torque phase of the upshift to correct an estimated oncoming friction element target torque so that transient torque disturbances at an oncoming clutch are avoided and torque transients at the output shaft are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher John Teslak, Gregory Michael Pietron, Hongtei Eric Tseng, Yuji Fujii, Michael Glenn Fodor, Diana Yanakiev, Seung Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 8768589
    Abstract: A dual clutch transmission includes a transmission control unit that controls action of a first clutch actuator, a second clutch actuator, and a shift mechanism; determines whether or not a clutch torque capacity for an engaging-side clutch has increased to a determination value during a clutch change period; and, if the clutch torque capacity for the engaging-side clutch has increased to the determination value, changes the torque transmission path by reducing the clutch torque capacity of a release-side clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Arai
  • Patent number: 8768590
    Abstract: A transmission ECU 12 determines whether or not the conditions for executing a neutral control operation are satisfied (step S11), and measures hydraulic oil temperature if it determines that the execution conditions are satisfied (step S12). Then, the transmission ECU 12 sets a target speed ratio for a torque converter 3 corresponding to the measured hydraulic oil temperature (step S13), and performs a neutral control operation to bring the speed ratio of the torque converter 3 equal to the target speed ratio (step S14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihiro Tsukamoto, Atsushi Ayabe
  • Patent number: 8762018
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for controlling transmission clutch and/or variator system pressures is provided. A transmission control unit and a pressure control device including an electro-hydraulic valve and a pressure switch cooperate to provide self-calibrating clutch and/or variator pressure control systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Wilson, Charles F. Long, Travis A. Brown, Darren J. Weber
  • Patent number: 8755980
    Abstract: A vehicle with a transmission having a crankshaft and an output shaft. A clutch located between the output shaft and a drive wheel is engaged and disengaged according to a rotational speed of the output shaft. An idle speed control device performs idle speed control to adjust an idle rotational speed of an engine. An electronic control unit (ECU) suppresses or stops the idle speed control when the clutch is engaged, or when an abnormality in the transmission is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuichiro Sawada
  • Patent number: 8755981
    Abstract: A method of controlling a transmission includes estimating an expected coefficient of friction of the clutch, estimating a value of an expected torque required to maintain a constant slip of the clutch for a current input torque applied to the transmission, and determining a value of an actual torque applied to the clutch to maintain the constant slip of the clutch at the current input torque. An actual coefficient of friction of the clutch is calculated by dividing the actual torque applied to the clutch by the expected torque applied to the clutch, and multiplying that quotient by the expected coefficient of friction of the clutch. A feed forward torque command is then adjusted based upon the actual coefficient of friction of the clutch to define a revised value of the feed forward torque command, which may then be used to control the clutch for various control operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Williams, Steven P. Moorman, Matthew D. Whitton
  • Patent number: 8751078
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a motor, and a gearbox. A clutch is configured to engage to transfer a reactive torque to at least one of the engine, the motor, and the gearbox. The clutch is configured to disengage during a transition from a present operating mode to a target operating mode. A controller is configured to determine an expected slip direction of the clutch, define a non-zero value based at least in part on the expected slip direction, and command the reactive torque to the non-zero value to control the clutch to induce slip during the transition from the present operating mode to the target operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Kaminsky, Jy-Jen F. Sah
  • Patent number: 8751123
    Abstract: A control device for a transmission including a clutch driven by an actuator mechanism, such as a motor, is provided. The control device controls the actuator so that the rider does not perceive generation of a braking force when the clutch is shifted from a disengaged state to an engaged state while traveling, thereby enhancing riding comfort. In performing the control to actuate a clutch from a disengaged state to an engaged state, the control device makes a determination about whether or not to restrict engagement of the clutch based on information about a rotational speed on an upstream side of the clutch and information about a rotational speed on a downstream side of the clutch. If it is determined that engagement of the clutch is to be restricted, the control device delays engagement of the clutch until the engine speed is increased to an acceptable level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toru Zenno
  • Publication number: 20140156156
    Abstract: A system and method for providing engine torque load in real time. The system includes a sensor to determine, in real time, a clutch state of an alternator clutch and a controller for determining an alternator torque value and applying the alternator torque value to the engine torque load in real time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: Songping Yu, Abdul Alkeilani, Anwar Alkeilani
  • Patent number: 8744701
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for controlling a motor vehicle drivetrain which comprises a drive motor, a multi-step, automated change-speed transmission and an automated separating clutch arranged between the drive motor and the transmission, and a shifting device with a selector lever which can be moved at least from a particular position in an upshift direction (“+” direction) for manually initiating an upshift and in a downshift direction (“?”) for manually initiating a downshift, and in which the transmission and the separating clutch can be controlled by a transmission control unit which is connected at least to a speed sensor, a brake pedal actuation sensor and a selector lever actuation sensor, such that when the motor vehicle is rolling with its drivetrain open the closing of the drivetrain is initiated by actuating the selector lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ingo Sauter, Melchor Moro-Oliveros, Michael Burkhart
  • Patent number: 8738257
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a dual clutch transmission includes a plurality of pressure and flow control devices and logic valve assemblies in fluid communication with a plurality of clutch actuators and with a plurality of synchronizer actuators. The clutch actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of torque transmitting devices and the synchronizer actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of synchronizer assemblies. Selective activation of combinations of the pressure control solenoids and the flow control solenoids allows for a pressurized fluid to activate at least one of the clutch actuators and synchronizer actuators in order to shift the transmission into a desired gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Steven P. Moorman, Philip C. Lundberg, John R. Czoykowski, Bret M. Olson, Christopher Jay Weingartz
  • Patent number: 8738251
    Abstract: A machine control system including an impeller clutch pedal sensor, a power source sensor, a torque converter output speed sensor, an implement lever sensor and a controller is provided. The impeller clutch pedal sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of an impeller clutch command. The implement lever sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a desired hydraulic flow corresponding to an implement lever command. The controller is configured to determine a desired output torque, at a current torque converter output speed, based on the signals from the impeller clutch pedal sensor and the power source sensor. The controller is configured to modulate at least one of the speed of the power source or an engagement of an impeller clutch based on the desired output torque and the implement lever command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey K. Berry, Timothy A. Evans, Barry Mei
  • Patent number: 8731736
    Abstract: A system for preventing driving skill atrophy comprises a trainer module that determines the driver's current skill level, disables certain automated features based on the determined skill level, and forces the driver to use and hone her driving skills. The system collects data to determine through on-board vehicle sensors how a driver is driving the vehicle. The system then compares the driver's current driving skills with the driver's historical driving skills or the general population's driving skills. Based on the comparison, the system determines whether the driver's skill level is stagnant, improving or deteriorating. If the skill level is improving, for example, the system disables certain automated driving features to give driver more control of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsuan Chang
  • Patent number: 8731759
    Abstract: When two (in particular electric) drives operate on wheels decoupled from each other in a motor vehicle, the drives should have an identical construction and the same properties. However, if one drive is stronger than the other, distribution factors other than 0.5 must define the target torque for the two drives, i.e. the fraction of a total torque, in order to provide a correction. The distribution factors are determined while the motor vehicle is in operation. For this purpose, a steering angle and an additional quantity such as the lateral acceleration or the yaw rate are determined and a check is performed to determine if the additional quantity has the correct functional dependency on the steering angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Michael Wein, Tim Meissner
  • Patent number: 8731791
    Abstract: When an internal combustion engine is cranked up from a stopped position of a piston in a restart-time first ignition cylinder which is scheduled to start a combustion at the time of an automatic restart of the engine under an automatic stop of the engine during an idling-stop control, a restart-time ignition time interval between a time point when the cranking of the engine is started and a time point when the restart-time first ignition cylinder is initially ignited is calculated. A drive-start timing of a starter motor is delayed according to this restart-time ignition time interval. Thereby, the cranking of the engine is carried out by the starter motor under a state where the hydraulic pressure supplied from the electric oil pump has increased. Thus, the slip in the clutch of the CVT can be suppressed when the gas mixture in the restart-time first ignition cylinder is initially ignited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shouta Hamane, Takayuki Iwasaki, Yoshikazu Hirato
  • Patent number: 8731793
    Abstract: A mobile machine includes a propulsion system. The propulsion system may include a prime mover, a traction device, and a clutch operable to transmit power produced by the prime mover to the traction device. The propulsion system may also include propulsion-system controls operable to control the clutch. The propulsion-system controls may include at least one information processor configured to estimate a temperature of the clutch based at least in part on an estimated slippage of the clutch and a fluid temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mirko V. Barbir, Stacy Linn Grove, Yun Liu, Gerry Owen McCann, John Dewey Gates
  • Patent number: 8731755
    Abstract: A drive device for a hybrid vehicle, which has a first driven axle and a second driven axle, including: a first motor/generator unit, which is connected to the first driven axle; an internal combustion engine unit, which is connected in a rotationally fixed fashion to a differential/transmission unit which is connected to the rear axle; a second motor/generator unit, which is connected in a rotationally fixed fashion to the differential/transmission unit, parallel to the internal combustion engine unit; a clutch unit, which is designed to disconnect and connect a force flux between the differential/transmission unit and the second driven axle; and a control unit, which actuates the clutch unit, the internal combustion engine unit, the first motor/generator unit and the second motor/generator unit as a function of predefined operating states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Rauner
  • Publication number: 20140136063
    Abstract: A method to monitor a torque transfer device configured to transfer torque within an electro-mechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine and at least one electric machine includes executing a failure detection strategy in response to a detected slip condition of the torque transfer device. The failure detection strategy includes monitoring a magnitude of energy loss of the torque transfer device. A failure condition in the torque transfer device is detected when the magnitude of energy loss achieves a predetermined energy threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: JONATHAN M. BOLENBAUGH, JAMES SYDENSTRICKER, LAWRENCE A. KAMINSKY, JY-JEN F. SAH
  • Patent number: 8725373
    Abstract: A control apparatus of an automatic transmission including a start intended operation detecting unit detecting a vehicle starting operation; and a clutch control unit engaging the clutch from the clutch disengaged state and the automatic speed change mechanism is placed in a neutral state, when the vehicle starting operation is detected. The clutch control unit includes an initial engagement control unit performing initial engagement control that starts frictional contact of the clutch by supplying hydraulic pressure to a hydraulic servo of the clutch, and a slip start control unit establishing a speed ratio of the automatic speed change mechanism at the start by slip-controlling the clutch after the initial engagement control is terminated, thereby increasing output shaft rotational speed of the automatic speed change mechanism without reducing the input shaft rotational speed of the automatic speed change mechanism to less than the input shaft rotational speed at the end of initial engagement control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tsutsui, Yutaka Teraoka, Masatake Ichikawa, Shoji Omitsu
  • Patent number: 8725365
    Abstract: A method for controlling an automated clutch or an automated transmission or a drive unit in a vehicle is disclosed in which protective measures for the clutch and/or for the transmission and/or for a drive unit is provided by the control system. The protective measures include measures against overheating or wear. When measuring temperature, allowance is made for the air density in the vehicle environment or altitude as compared to sea level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Loyal George MacMillian, Bradley Shellhammer, Daniel Redel, Gerald Kuestler
  • Patent number: 8725372
    Abstract: A method for adjusting the point of engagement of a friction clutch of a step-variable transmission for a motor vehicle, in particular a friction clutch of a dual clutch transmission. The friction clutch is controllably actuated by means of a clutch actuator and at least one synchronizer shifting clutch is controllably actuated by means of a shift actuator for the engagement and disengagement of a gear ratio of the spur-gear transmission. A set-point of the clutch actuator for the point of engagement of the friction clutch is adjusted as a function of a speed gradient value, which ensues from a transitional state with the friction clutch actuated and the shifting clutch actuated, once the shifting clutch is opened. The transitional state is established by setting the clutch actuator and the shift actuator to a respective transitional value substantially at the same time or, at least in sections, in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignees: GETRAG Getriebe-und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Rinck, Markus Schuerlein, Tobias Soller
  • Patent number: 8725374
    Abstract: A method wherein the first and second threshold values of the characteristic are a threshold value of the clutch temperature, or of the speed of rotation at the particular input shaft of the clutch, or of the speed of the engine, or of the slip speed at the clutch, or of the clutch torque hysteresis, or of the oil volume flow in a wet clutch, or of the actuator speed or of the actuator position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co KG
    Inventors: Erhard Hodrus, Ekkehard Reibold, George Goeppert, Juergen Eich
  • Patent number: 8725336
    Abstract: In this power transmission control device, an EV travel mode for traveling by using only an electric-motor driving torque in a state in which a clutch torque is maintained to zero, and an EG travel mode for traveling by using the internal-combustion-engine driving torque in a state in which the clutch torque is adjusted to a value larger than zero are selectively realized depending on a travel state. In a state in which the EV travel mode is selected, when it is determined that a vehicle speed is higher than a predetermined speed Vth, “a gear position to be realized” is changed depending on the travel state of the vehicle, and when it is determined that the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than the predetermined speed Vth, “the gear position to be realized” is maintained to a current gear position independently of the travel state of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin AI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Kobayashi, Takeshige Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 8725375
    Abstract: The hydraulic control apparatus calculates a target engagement hydraulic pressure of a frictional engagement element, controls the frictional engagement element so that a revolution speed at a driving source side of the frictional engagement element is higher than a revolution speed at a driving wheel side of the frictional engagement element, outputs a command current to a solenoid valve on the basis of a map having a relationship between the target engagement hydraulic pressure and the command current, and decreases the engagement hydraulic pressure when a vehicle speed is equal to or less than a predetermined vehicle speed at which the vehicle is judged to be vehicle stop during execution of the slip control. Further, the hydraulic control apparatus corrects the map so that a variation of the command current with respect to a variation of the target engagement hydraulic pressure is small when decreasing the engagement hydraulic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignees: JATCO Ltd., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Mochiyama, Hideharu Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20140129103
    Abstract: An output power of the internal combustion engine (1) is transmitted to a drive wheel via a torque converter (2B) having a pump impeller and a turbine runner. A lockup clutch (2C) directly connects the pump impeller and the turbine runner during a coast running of a vehicle. When the accelerator pedal is slightly depressed during a coast running of a vehicle in a fuel cut-off state, the lockup clutch (2C) disengages. In addition, fuel recovery of the internal combustion engine (1) is suppressed until the engaging pressure of the lockup clutch (2C) decreases, thereby preventing a vehicle speed change caused by an output power increase of the internal combustion engine (1) before the lockup clutch (2C) substantially disengages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventors: Yuzuru Tohta, Masahiro Iriyama, Yasuki Fukumoto, Morimasa Yamawaki, Tatsuya Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8718879
    Abstract: In this work vehicle, a control unit controls a shift in a speed gear of a transmission according to the vehicle velocity. The control unit determines whether or not the acceleration rate of the vehicle is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold when the vehicle velocity is within a predetermined first range. The control unit switches a lock-up clutch from a not-connected state to a connected state when the acceleration rate of the vehicle is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold. The control unit maintains the lock-up clutch in a not-connected state when the acceleration rate of the vehicle is greater than the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Takahashi, Nobuo Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 8718887
    Abstract: A method to monitor a torque transfer device configured to transfer torque within an electro-mechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine and at least one electric machine includes executing a failure detection strategy in response to a detected slip condition of the torque transfer device. The failure detection strategy includes monitoring a magnitude of energy loss of the torque transfer device. A failure condition in the torque transfer device is detected when the magnitude of energy loss achieves a predetermined energy threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Bolenbaugh, James Sydenstricker, Lawrence A. Kaminsky, Jy-Jen F. Sah
  • Publication number: 20140121924
    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: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicants: Kia Motors Corp., Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Young Min YOON, So Young LEE, Sung Hyun CHO, Ho Young LEE, Joung Chul KIM, Seung Sam BAEK
  • Publication number: 20140121923
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, transmission, and controller. The transmission has gear sets each having multiple nodes, an input member continuously connected to the engine and one of the gear sets, and a binary clutch assembly. The controller executes a method to detect a requested event of a binary clutch engagement and to command a calibrated energy pulse from the engine to the input member in response to the requested event. The energy pulse reduces slip across the binary clutch assembly. The controller applies the binary clutch assembly within a calibrated window of initiation of the pulse, and may shift the transmission into reverse or drive. A transmission has the controller, at least first, second, and third gear sets, an input member selectively connected to the first gear set and continuously connected to the second gear set, and a binary clutch assembly connected to the first and second gear sets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Randall B. Dlugoss
  • Publication number: 20140121915
    Abstract: A vehicle brake control system includes a clutch stroke acquiring section, a braking force holding section, a first release determination section, and a release execution section. The clutch stroke acquiring section acquires a clutch stroke. The braking force holding section holds a braking force imparted to a wheel brake of a vehicle being at a halt. The first release determination section includes a peak value holding part and a returned amount calculator. The peak value holding part holds a peak value of the clutch stroke. The returned amount calculator calculates a returned amount by which a clutch is returned from the peak value. The first release determination section determines whether or not the held braking force should be released, based on the calculated returned amount. If the first release determination section determines that the held braking force should be released, the release execution section releases the held braking force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: NISSIN KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi KUROSAKI
  • Publication number: 20140114543
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrically actuatable assembly of a motor vehicle having at least one component comprising a non-volatile memory. The component has base functionality characteristic for the component and required for the operation of the assembly. The memory comprises a memory region not utilized for realizing the base functionality of the component, in said memory region is stored a characteristic value that identifies the assembly with a predetermined probability. Furthermore, the characteristic value can be read out from the memory region of the component. Finally, the invention describes a method for identifying such an electrically actuatable assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Magna Power Train AG & CO
    Inventors: Gerhard Mullner, Karl Reissinger, Ralf Schwarz, Tim-Christopher Meissner, Maik Hoffman, Thomas FERSTL
  • Publication number: 20140114542
    Abstract: A method for running a vehicle (100) that includes a combustion engine (101) which can selectively be connected to a driveshaft (104, 105). When the vehicle (100) is in motion and is approaching a downgrade, determining whether the engine (101) can be disconnected from the driveshaft (104, 105) for at least a first period of time (T1), and disconnecting the driveshaft (104, 105) for at least the first period of time (T1); and the engine (101) also is switched off for the first period (T1). A system that performs the method and a vehicle that performs it are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventors: Mustafa Abdul-Rasool, Oskar Johansson, Mikael Ögren
  • Patent number: 8706379
    Abstract: A technique for controlling coasting of a hybrid vehicle equipped with an Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) is disclosed herein. First, the amount of regenerative braking is varied based on the degree of manipulation of an accelerator pedal within the predetermined control range of a total degree of manipulation of the accelerator pedal from when the accelerator pedal is not being manipulated. The amount of regenerative braking decreases as the degree of manipulation of the accelerator pedal increases. The control range is used to perform control in such a way as to vary the amount of regenerative braking according to the amount of manipulation of the accelerator pedal. Further, the control range is set to within a range of initial 5 to 20% of the total degree of manipulation of the accelerator pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Sang Pil Jang
  • Patent number: 8706371
    Abstract: A method for adjusting hydraulic line pressure applied to one or more clutch devices in an electro-mechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine and at least one electric machine includes predicting a first plurality of powertrain parameters for an upcoming event. For each of a plurality of engine torques, a predicted output torque and a predicted clutch load are determined that minimize a total powertrain operating cost based on an operator torque request and the predicted first plurality of powertrain parameters. Hydraulic line pressure is adjusted based on the engine torque having a lowest powertrain operating cost among the plurality of available engine torques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Krunal P. Patel, Sean W. McGrogan, Lawrence A. Kaminsky, Pinaki Gupta, Ali K. Naqvi, Anthony H. Heap
  • Patent number: 8706368
    Abstract: A secondary drive device of a mobile working appliance with an electronic control unit for actuating a power take-off shaft clutch arranged between a transmission and a power take-off shaft is disclosed. According to the disclosure, the control unit is designed with a flange-mounting function unit which, when activated, executes a rotary position correction of the power take-off shaft with respect to the drive shaft. Furthermore, a method for coupling and/or uncoupling a working machine to/from the secondary drive device of a mobile working appliance as an energy source is proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Achim Maigler
  • Patent number: 8700279
    Abstract: A method for optimizing a shift event in a vehicle includes designating a clutch to be used as an oncoming clutch or an offgoing clutch in the shift event before executing the shift event, and processing a plurality of input values through a state observer to thereby determine, as an output value of the state observer, an estimated slip speed of the designated clutch. The method includes using a proportional-integral control module for the designated clutch (a clutch PI) to close the control loop on the estimated slip speed from the state observer, thereby smoothing a switching between state space equations in the state observer, and executing the shift event. A vehicle includes a transmission, an engine, at least one traction motor, and a control system configured for executing the above method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: R. Anthony Hansen, Robert L. Morris
  • Patent number: 8700247
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes an engine, an electric machine, and a transmission. A method to control the powertrain includes monitoring operation of the powertrain, determining whether conditions necessary for growl to occur excluding motor torque and engine torque are present, and if the conditions are present controlling the powertrain based upon avoiding a powertrain operating region wherein the growl is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Wise, Chihang Lin, Anthony H. Heap
  • Publication number: 20140100746
    Abstract: A process and system is provided for anticipatory energy management in vehicles, including providing a driver with anticipatory driving style information. The system includes a sensor interface that acquires vehicle sensor data, a position interface that acquires position data of the vehicle, a storage module that stores an event databank, and an output unit that outputs information concerning an imminent driving event to the driver. A driving event is detected from the acquired position and sensor data, and is stored as an event dataset in the event databank, the driving event being associated with an event position. The system may also recognize from the acquired position data that the vehicle is driving on a current route that includes the event position, and may output information concerning the stored driving event from the output unit before the vehicle reaches the event position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas WILDE, Johannes von GRUNDHERR, Margherita FILIPPINI, Evgeny KOZLOV, Milton MENDIETA
  • Patent number: 8694219
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process of ending a clutch protection function against overload of an automated clutch. The clutch protection function is ended when, by actuating the gas- and brake pedals, an absolute value of a brake pedal signal falls below a default threshold value and the time derivative of the brake pedal signal is negative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Bechmann
  • Patent number: 8694212
    Abstract: A vehicle speed estimator includes a unit that selects a minimum rotation speed among rotation speeds of wheels detected by a rotation speed detector and calculates a reference wheel speed of a construction vehicle at every predetermined time. The unit includes: a variable filter processor that performs a low-pass filter processing to the minimum rotation speed, the variable filter processor having a variable time constant; and a time constant changer that changes the time constant of the variable filter processor in accordance with travel conditions of the construction vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Uematsu, Kazuhiro Hatake, Azumi Nomura
  • Publication number: 20140095037
    Abstract: Provided is an engagement position storage device capable of detecting a clutch engagement position of a vehicle finely and a brake system including such a device. In an engagement position storage device 2b that stores an engagement position of a clutch to engage and disengage power of a vehicle, when the vehicle becomes a traveling state in predetermined duration after acceleration in a front-back direction of the vehicle changes, the engagement position storage device 2b stores a clutch engagement position based on a clutch position detected when the acceleration changes. A brake system 1 includes a wheel latching mechanism 5 that latches wheels of a vehicle by driving a propelling member 5a by driving devices 3 and 4; and a controller 2 that controls driving of the propelling member 5a of the wheel latching mechanism 5 based on a clutch engagement position stored in the engagement position storage device 2b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji SETO, Masaki KANAI, Wataru YOKOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20140095038
    Abstract: A method for operating a safety system for avoiding collisions and/or for reducing the severity of collisions in a motor vehicle that has a clutch pedal as an actuator for manually actuating a clutch. The safety system is designed to carry out at least one braking intervention when a collision is imminent. An additional actuator in form of a clutch actuator is used to automatically open and close the clutch. In the context of at least one braking intervention of the safety system, the clutch actuator is actuated in order to open the clutch dependent on at least one item of intervention information relating to the braking intervention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventors: Alexander Breu, Manfred Holzmann
  • Patent number: 8688340
    Abstract: An apparatus for supplementing a brake vacuum pressure may include an engine control unit (ECU) that generates a vacuum pressure control signal for supplementing the brake vacuum pressure in accordance with the result of determining whether the brake vacuum pressure is included in a reference vacuum pressure range after a vehicle implements an ISG process, a sub-oil pump that is operated in accordance with a control signal from the ECU to supply hydraulic pressure to the inside of an automatic transmission after the vehicle implements the ISG process, a vacuum pump that generates and supplies the brake vacuum pressure to a brake system, and an electronic clutch that selectively couples the sub-oil pump and the vacuum pump to allow driving force of the sub-oil pump to be transmitted to the vacuum pump or to be cut, in accordance with whether the vacuum pressure control signal is sent thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Junghwan Bang, Sejun Kim, Chongah Gwon, Jiyong Yu