Clutch Control Patents (Class 701/67)
  • Patent number: 8412426
    Abstract: Improved methods for executing a clutch-to-clutch quasi-asynchronous shift in a hybrid transmission, and a hybrid transmission using the same, are presented herein. The method includes: pre-filling the on-coming clutch; determining if the shift is completed using the on-coming or off-going clutch; slipping the off-going clutch first if the shift operation uses the off-going clutch; determining on-coming clutch slip speed and acceleration profiles; determining if the on-coming clutch is filled and whether the slip sign is correct; if using the off-going clutch, locking the on-coming clutch and exhausting the off-going clutch if the on-coming clutch is filled and the slip sign is correct; if using the on-coming clutch, determining whether the on-coming clutch slip is less than a slip threshold and exhausting the off-going clutch if the on-coming clutch is filled and the slip sign is correct; and locking the on-coming clutch if the slip is less than the slip threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Jy-Jen F. Sah
  • Publication number: 20130080010
    Abstract: A vehicle having a chassis, an engine supported by the chassis, a clutch assembly and a controller. The clutch assembly contains a clutch that is coupled to the engine. The controller executes a method to protect the clutch, the method including the steps of calculating, comparing and derating. The calculating step includes calculating the amount of energy being absorbed by the clutch. The comparing step compares the amount of energy to a predetermined limit. The derating step derates the engine dependent upon whether the amount of energy exceeded the predetermined limit in the comparing step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Joseph A. Cullen, Tara A. Sundt
  • Patent number: 8406967
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an automatic transmission system having a serial arrangement of a stepwise variable automatic transmission mechanism and a continuously variable automatic transmission mechanism, the control apparatus being disposed in the automatic transmission system and performing a shift control of the continuously variable automatic transmission mechanism in accordance with variation in transmission ratio of the stepwise variable automatic transmission mechanism, the control apparatus including a control section configured to execute a retardation processing upon shift control of one of the continuously variable transmission mechanism and the stepwise variable transmission mechanism which has a smaller response delay of an actual transmission ratio from a target transmission ratio than that of the other transmission mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Seiichiro Takahashi, Tatsuo Ochiai, Masaaki Uchida, Masato Koga, Ryoji Kadono, Tateki Jozaki, Hideaki Suzuki, Ryousuke Nonomura, Mamiko Inoue
  • Patent number: 8405497
    Abstract: An alarm device for a clutch that issues an alarm indicating a lifetime expiration of the clutch that selectively connects and disconnects an input shaft to and from an output shaft, includes: a slip heat release threshold setting unit 104 that establishes a threshold criteria as to a clutch damage or the clutch lifetime, in a form of a relation between a heat release generated in a clutch slip operation and a frequency of the heat release occurrences; and a slip heat release calculator 105 that calculates the heat release during the clutch operation, based on a hydraulic oil pressure in an actual clutch operation and a relative circumferential speed between input and output shafts, the alarm device 11 issues the alarm based on the calculation result through the slip heat release calculating means 105 and the slip heat release threshold setting means 104.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunari Okabe, Akihiko Fujimoto, Takeshi Harasawa
  • Patent number: 8406976
    Abstract: Oil pressure detecting means 150 detects a clutch oil pressure in driving a clutch in its engaging direction against a biasing force of a return spring 12 for normally disengaging the clutch. Stroke end detecting means 140 detects that the clutch has reached a stroke end position where clutch disks are in contact with each other when the amount of change in clutch oil pressure becomes larger than a predetermined value. Clutch control correction amount calculating means 130 calculates a work load generated in the return spring 12 according to the clutch oil pressure detected at the stroke end position and then calculates a control correction amount for the clutch according to the difference between the work load calculated above and a predetermined reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Nedachi, Hiroyuki Kojima, Junya Watanabe, Takashi Ozeki, Yoshiaki Tsukada, Kazuyuki Fukaya
  • Patent number: 8401754
    Abstract: In a method for detecting the status of the clutch in the drive train of a motor vehicle, the engine speed and the speed are ascertained and a transmission ratio is formed as the quotient of the engine speed and speed. Furthermore, a reference value is determined, which is set equal to the transmission ratio from a first time step. In a subsequent time step, the difference between the instantaneous transmission ratio and the reference value is formed, a disengaged clutch status being detected if the difference exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Wandel
  • Patent number: 8401756
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for controlling transmission clutch system output 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 pressure control systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Wilson, Charles F. Long, Travis A. Brown
  • Publication number: 20130062154
    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: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Burns, Hsing-Hua Fan
  • Patent number: 8396636
    Abstract: A clutch controller that transmits appropriate torque during engaging operation of a clutch. An actual torque obtaining section obtains torque transmitted from a drive-side member of the clutch to a downstream mechanism in a torque transmission path as actual transmission torque, the downstream mechanism including a driven-side member of the clutch. A target torque obtaining section obtains torque that is supposed to be transmitted from the drive-side member to the downstream mechanism in the torque transmission path as target transmission torque. A clutch actuator control section actuates an actuator by an actuation amount according to a difference between the actual transmission torque and the target transmission torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kengo Minami
  • Patent number: 8396637
    Abstract: A control system for an automatic transmission coupled to an engine by a torque converter includes a torque module and a first clutch control module. The torque module determines an input torque to the transmission based on an output torque of the engine. The first clutch control module adjusts an acceleration of a turbine of the torque converter during a down shift of the transmission based on the input torque. The first clutch control module adjusts the acceleration of the turbine by adjusting a first pressure of fluid supplied to an off-going clutch of the transmission based on the input torque. The first clutch control module adjusts the first pressure based on a mathematical model that relates a torque capacity of the off-going clutch, the input torque, and the acceleration. A method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventors: Mark A. Schang, Matthew D. Whitton
  • Publication number: 20130060437
    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: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co KG
    Inventors: Michael Bogner, Raphael Fischer
  • Patent number: 8392083
    Abstract: A method for controlling a twin clutch transmission including at least two partial drive trains, each of which is coupleable to a combustion engine using a clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Erhard Hodrus, Juergen Eich
  • Patent number: 8392076
    Abstract: In a control of a vehicular automatic transmission, an engaging device provided in a power transmission path between an engine and driving wheels is brought into a slipping state or a release state when a certain neutral control condition is satisfied while a shift lever is placed in a running position, the engaging device is engaged so as to increase a torque transmission capacity thereof when a certain neutral control cancellation condition is satisfied during neutral control under which the engaging device is in the slipping state or the release state, and an engaging pressure of the engaging device is held at a constant pressure level for a given period of time when an accelerator pedal is depressed while the engaging device is engaged so as to increase the torque transmission capacity thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobufusa Kobayashi, Yoshio Hasegawa, Naoto Komeno, Norihiro Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 8392082
    Abstract: A control device for an automatic transmission having a torque converter includes: a determining means for determining whether to set a friction element in an engaged condition or a disengaged condition on the basis of an operating condition of a vehicle; a control means for outputting an engagement command or a disengagement command on the basis of a determination result of the determining means; and an oil pressure control means for performing control to engage the friction element upon reception of the engagement command by performing a precharge control for the friction element and then controlling the supplied oil pressure to a predetermined oil pressure and to disengage the friction element upon reception of the disengagement command by draining the oil pressure supplied to the friction element, wherein the control means comprises a prohibiting means for prohibiting output of the disengagement command in relation to the friction element following control of the friction element from the disengaged condi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventor: Naohiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 8386142
    Abstract: A motor vehicle control system for controlling a motor vehicle with a hybrid drive comprising an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, with a strategy sub-component, a control sub-component and an actuator sub-component. The functional components include at least an internal combustion engine functional component, a transmission functional component, such that the strategy sub-component (8) of the hybrid functional component (4) comprises an operating status prescription module which determines a prescribed value for the operating status of the hybrid drive and transmits the prescribed value to the control sub-component (9) of the hybrid functional component (4) such that the control sub-component (9) of the hybrid functional component (4) comprises a first module (18) and a second module (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Winfried Fakler, Notker Amann, Christian Mittelberger, Mesut Er, Stefan Blattner, Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Wallner
  • Patent number: 8380410
    Abstract: Provided is a clutch control device capable of highly precisely controlling an engaging force of a clutch even when a rotation of a motor stops or a rotation speed of the motor rapidly decreases. The clutch control device includes: a unit for determining rapid deceleration state for, based on one of the rotation speed of the motor and a rotation angle of the motor, determining a rapid deceleration state of the motor; and a motor current selection unit for, when presence of the rapid deceleration state of the motor is determined, selecting the second motor current detected in each predetermined period as a motor current used for generating the drive signal even when the rotation speed of the motor is equal to or more than the predetermined rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Nozomu Kamioka, Yasufumi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8380409
    Abstract: A vehicle power transmission system has a first electric motor, a differential section, a power interruption element forming part of a power transmission path, a second electric motor connected to a power transmission path, and a control device that maintains the output rotational speed of the differential section at a predetermined constant value or at a value within a predetermined range until the engagement of the power interruption element is completed, so as to control a rotational speed of a primary power source by the first electric motor during the period when the state of the vehicle power transmission system is being switched front a non-drive mode to a drive mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tooru Matsubara, Kenta Kumazaki, Atsushi Tabata, Masakazu Kaifuku
  • Publication number: 20130041562
    Abstract: A method for drive control of a motor vehicle in a drive train which comprises a drive engine built as a turbo-charged internal combustion engine, a startup and shifting clutch built as an automated friction clutch, and a transmission built as an automatic stepped transmission. The method overcomes drive engine torque deficiencies while traveling in which such torque deficiencies occur when the driver demands power corresponding to a target torque of the drive engine which is above the spontaneously attainable maximum torque. To avoid downshifting or starting from standstill, initially the clutch is disengaged up to slipping operation, the drive engine is then accelerated to the boost threshold speed or an engine speed which is slightly above the boost threshold speed, and the drive engine is then loaded up to substantially the full load torque with a substantially constant engine speed before the slipping operation of the clutch ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Roland Mair
  • Patent number: 8374760
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for efficiently controlling an automatic transmission in an electric vehicle. The method may be implemented by selection of one of at least two belt clutches having different ratios. The timing for disengagement and engagement of each clutch and the proper sequencing of the disengagement and engagement of the clutches is determined to optimize the efficiency of the transmission. A direct drive motor is directly coupled to the transmission's output shaft to provide momentary power to maintain a nearly constant rate of acceleration during shifting. The method may further be applied for shifting an electric vehicle with a first motor coupled to an output shaft through a single belt clutch and a direct drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventors: Mark Snyder, Ronald A. Holland
  • Patent number: 8374756
    Abstract: A control device for an automatic transmission includes a speed change controller configured to generate a speed change instruction. A temperature calculator is configured to calculate a temperature of at least one frictional engagement element among frictional engagement elements. A rotation difference calculator is configured to calculate a rotation difference between an input and an output of the at least one frictional engagement element. A determining unit is configured to determine whether the frictional engagement element is engageable or non-engageable based on the temperature and the rotation difference of the frictional engagement element and a pattern of the speed change instruction. The delay unit is configured to delay engagement until the determining unit determines that the frictional engagement element is engageable, if the determining unit determines that the frictional engagement element is non-engageable when the speed change controller generates the speed change instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuma Sasahara, Takashi Satoyoshi, Ryuta Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20130035830
    Abstract: An automotive electronic control system for a motor vehicle powertrain comprising an internal combustion engine and a servo-actuated driveline. The electronic control system is configured to control the powertrain to cause stopping of the engine and disengagement of the driveline, whereby resulting in the motor vehicle entering a freewheel running condition with engine off, and cranking of the engine and engagement of the driveline, whereby resulting in the motor vehicle leaving the freewheel running condition with engine off. The electronic control system is further configured to control the driveline during an engine run-down consequent upon the motor vehicle entering the freewheel running condition with the the engine off, to cause engagement of a gear appropriate for inertial cranking of the engine before the latter leaves a self-sustaining operating condition, while a clutch of the driveline is kept engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventors: Roberto Finizio, Alessandro Polimeno
  • Patent number: 8370036
    Abstract: An automatic transmission calculates a current thermal load state of the frictional element, predicts (S24, S31), prior to the start of the shift, a heat generation amount of the frictional element if the shift is performed in the first shift mode, predicts (S25, S32) a thermal load state of the frictional element upon shift completion on the basis of the current thermal load state of the frictional element and the predicted heat generation amount, and either performs (S28, S38) the shift in a second shift mode, in which a heat generation amount is lower than that of the first shift mode, or prohibits (S39) the shift when the predicted thermal load state upon shift completion is inside a predetermined region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Tomomasa Ikeda, Hiroki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 8370037
    Abstract: A method for the protection of an automatically actuated clutch of a vehicle from overload, comprising the steps of determining a driving situation of the vehicle, continuously determining the energy input in the clutch, and, preventing or reducing an overload state via targeted intervention in vehicle management as a function of the determined driving situation and the input energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bjoern Stehle, Klaus Henneberger
  • Patent number: 8364359
    Abstract: In control apparatus and method for an automatic transmission, a gear shift state of a stepwise variable transmission mechanism is controlled to a target gear shift state by releasing a first engagement section according to a reduction in a capacity of the first engagement section and, simultaneously, by engaging a second engagement section according to an increase in the capacity of the second engagement section, in accordance with a torque inputted to the stepwise variable transmission mechanism and, during an inertia phase, either one of the first and second engagement sections functions as a gear shift state control side engagement section and the capacity of a gear shift state non-control side engagement section which is the other engagement section is increased when determining that it is impossible to make the gear shift state follow up the target gear shift state at the gear shift state control side engagement section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Seiichiro Takahashi, Tatsuo Ochiai, Masaaki Uchida, Masato Koga, Ryoji Kadono, Tateki Jozaki, Hideaki Suzuki, Ryousuke Nonomura, Mamiko Inoue
  • Patent number: 8364361
    Abstract: A method for controlling a clutch assembly includes controlling an actual clutch fill pressure using open-loop pressure controls when an active fill phase is detected, and using closed-loop pressure controls when the active fill phase is complete or when an overfill condition is detected. The method supplies the actual clutch pressure according to a second set of open-loop pressure controls when a step in commanded clutch pressure is detected. The method monitors a fill pressure and time during the step, and applies the clutch pressure according to the closed-loop pressure controls when either value equals a corresponding threshold value. A clutch assembly has a piston for compressing clutch disks to initiate a shift event, an algorithm for controlling the shift event, and a sensor for determining an actual clutch pressure during the shift phases. The algorithm switches between closed-loop and open-loop pressure controls in response to different shift phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Bret M. Olson, Robert L. Moses, Randall B. Dlugoss
  • Patent number: 8364363
    Abstract: A power take-off (PTO) control system for a work vehicle equipped with an implement, comprising a hydraulic multi-plate PTO clutch (6) whereby power from the work vehicle is interruptibly transmitted to the implement; a control valve (15) for adjusting an actuating pressure of the PTO clutch; a manually operable clutch operation tool (17, 21) for sending an operation instruction to the control unit; and a control unit (19) for switching the PTO clutch from a disengaged state to an engaged state by controlling the control valve on the basis of the target control characteristics in response to the operation instruction of the clutch operation tool (17, 21). The target control characteristics are generated and set on the basis of the operational behavior of the clutch operation tool (17, 21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Nakamura, Akio Hattori
  • Publication number: 20130024081
    Abstract: A method of operating a double clutch that is actuated by a hydrostatic actuating system having two clutch actuators assigned to two individual clutches and each clutch actuator including a pressure sensor for sensing the operating pressure of the respective clutch actuator, the method having the step of limiting a total actuating force of the double clutch in the event of a fault using the pressure values sensed by the pressure sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
  • Publication number: 20130018557
    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: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas H. Wilson, Charles F. Long, Travis A. Brown, Darren J. Weber
  • Patent number: 8355849
    Abstract: A procedure for monitoring a clutch position of a clutch which is arranged in a double clutch transmission of an automotive vehicle, wherein the clutch position is determined to be a safe position or a non-safe position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heiko Priller, Andreas Maxon
  • Patent number: 8352141
    Abstract: A method for actuating a clutch in the drive train of a motor vehicle, including: generating a respective position setpoint for each predetermined target interval to actuate the clutch; in each predetermined target interval, actuating the clutch in a plurality of predetermined controller sampling intervals; discretizing a respective position setpoint change into a plurality of intermediate position setpoints; determining a number of intermediate position setpoints in the plurality of intermediate position setpoint depending on the ratio of the target interval to the controller sampling interval; and specifying the respective position setpoint changes in steps to actuate the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co., KG
    Inventor: Michael Schuhen
  • Patent number: 8352140
    Abstract: A method of determining and reducing vibrations caused by a clutch (3) in a drivetrain (1) of a motor vehicle, in which the disturbing vibrations are detected by a control and regulating unit aided by suitable sensors and, if predetermined limit values are exceeded, at least one device is actuated by the control and regulating unit in such manner that the disturbing vibrations are completely eliminated or at least reduced in amplitude. At least one torque sensor (8, 9, 10) is used to detect the occurrence of vibrations in the drivetrain (1) and the torque sensor (8, 9, 10) is used to determine vibration amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Herter, Joachim Staudinger, Rainer Petzold, Franz Bitzer
  • Patent number: 8352109
    Abstract: A vehicle control device for controlling a vehicle drive apparatus, the vehicle control device configured with a release control mechanism that provides feedback controlling supplied oil pressure to a release side element, and an engagement control mechanism that increases supplied oil pressure to an engagement side element as an engagement element on a side to be engaged in a state that the differential rotation speed is substantially constant. The control device is further configured with a phase determining mechanism that determines if the torque phase has started when a condition that a phenomenon accompanying a change of the differential rotation speed due to increase of the supplied oil pressure to the engagement side element is detected is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohei Tsuda, Yomei Hakumura, Masahiro Asai, Yoichi Tajima, Tomokazu Ito
  • Patent number: 8352135
    Abstract: In a method of operating a hybrid drive train for a motor vehicle including an internal combustion engine, an electric machine and a transmission, a first clutch arranged between the internal combustion engine and the transmission and the electric machine being arranged in parallel with the first clutch and being connectable to the internal combustion engine by way of a second clutch and to the transmission via a third clutch, the electric machine is connected by means of the second and third clutches to the internal combustion engine and to the transmission for assisting the first clutch transmitting an excessive engine torque, and upon failure of the first clutch, for starting movement of the motor vehicle, the third clutch is engaged and the electric machine is energized for transferring an electric machine torque to the transmission and the second clutch is engaged when the vehicle has reached a speed corresponding to the engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Lang, Klaus Riedl
  • Patent number: 8352136
    Abstract: A vehicle control system for an engine-powered vehicle equipped with an engine and an automatic transmission with a clutch. When a given engine stop requirement is met during running of the engine, the system stops the engine automatically. When a given engine restart requirement is met after stop of the engine, the system restarts the engine and enters a clutch control mode to bring the clutch in the automatic transmission into a slippable state in which the clutch is permitted to slip based on the speed of the vehicle, thereby absorbing the acceleration shock which usually occurs upon engagement of the clutch to transmit engine torque to wheels of the vehicle when the engine is restarted, and the speed of the vehicle is relatively low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Saito
  • Patent number: 8346451
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for estimating the realtime position of a clutch piston during the fill cycle using noisy pressure measurements which ensures proper and desired clutch operation. Pressures on both sides of a flow controlling orifice, at the fluid control actuator and the clutch cylinder are measured and these measurements in conjunction with other system parameters such as orifice size, clutch volume and return spring characteristics are used to solve nonlinear dynamic equations (algorithms) which reside in a microprocessor. The microprocessor provides outputs corresponding to an estimate of the current position of the clutch piston, an estimate of the current speed of the piston and an estimate of the current hydraulic pressure. The method can also be utilized to detect clutch wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Paul G. Otanez, Shushan Bai, Vijay A. Neelakantan, Yue-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 8340879
    Abstract: A method for opening a closed clutch arrangement of a drivetrain for a motor vehicle. The clutch arrangement is activated in such a way that the torque which it can transmit is reduced up to an opening point at which torque can no longer be transmitted via the clutch arrangement. The clutch arrangement is placed into an intermediate slip state before the opening point is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: GETRAG Getriebe-und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG
    Inventors: Josef Glatthaar, Stefan Thum
  • Patent number: 8340877
    Abstract: An engine speed synchronizer for a manual transmission with an engine clutch, synchronizes rotation of the engine side of the engine clutch with rotation of the transmission side of the engine clutch by engine speed control with reference to operation of a shift lever under condition that the engine clutch is disengaged. The engine speed synchronizer determines whether or not a transmission input speed has started to change in a direction conforming to the operation of the shift lever; permits the synchronization in response to determination that the transmission input speed has started to change in the conforming direction; and inhibits the synchronization in response to determination that the transmission input speed has not started to change in the conforming direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Murayama, Masahiro Iriyama
  • Patent number: 8340878
    Abstract: When an upshift is performed while a traveling condition of a vehicle corresponds to a driving condition or a downshift is performed while the traveling condition of the vehicle corresponds to a coasting condition, a second target slip amount is set as a target slip amount for a period extending from the start of gear ratio variation following issuance of a gear position change start command to completion of the gear ratio change, and when a downshift is performed in the driving condition or an upshift is performed in the coasting condition, a first target slip amount is set as the target slip amount for a period extending from issuance of the shift command to completion of the shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Tomoko Oue, Morimasa Yamawaki, Kouichi Sawano
  • Patent number: 8335623
    Abstract: A method for operating a powertrain, including an electro-mechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine and an electric machine, includes monitoring slip across a selectively applied clutch within the transmission to indicate a clutch slip event, and if the monitoring indicates the clutch slip event decreasing a load across the selectively applied clutch by reducing torque of at least one of the engine and the electric machine, in order to reduce the slip, thereby ending the clutch slip event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Lawrence A. Kaminsky, Jy-Jen F. Sah
  • Patent number: 8335624
    Abstract: A pressure sensor detects the change in pressure within a cylinder in a clutch master cylinder in a case where a clutch shifts from a connected state to a disconnected state. The pressure within the cylinder is detected at a time point where a rate of the pressure increase is changed. The position of a rod in this case or the rotation angle of a motor in an actuator is detected as a touch point preparation position. The touch point preparation position is a stage preceding power generated by an engine being transmitted to the clutch. The actuator moves the rod at high speed until the position of the rod reaches the position corresponding to the touch point preparation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Suzuki, Kenji Fukushima
  • Patent number: 8332110
    Abstract: A method of detecting axial wear and a counterforce gradient of a multiple disc switching element (1) with position-controlled actuation with an electric motor (2), a spur gear stage (3) and a ball ramp (4) by one of a hydraulic pressure actuator and an electromagnetic actuator. The method comprises the step of determining, when a vehicle is at a standstill, the axial wear (J) and the counterforce gradient or the rigidity of the system by an overrun adaptation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Volker Vogel, Rainer Denzler
  • Publication number: 20120310500
    Abstract: The invention relates to a smart actuator for actuating a clutch having a communication interface for connecting to a higher-level control unit, and at least one data line for connecting to the higher-level control unit, where the smart actuator is configured to identify errors in the higher-level control unit and/or an assigned second smart actuator, and where the smart actuator has controlling means that are suitable for converting the controlled system into a safe system state in the case of a recognized error. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding control method and a control system in which the smart actuators and the method are used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Martin Zimmermann, Martin Rapp
  • Publication number: 20120310459
    Abstract: In a method and a device for steering a vehicle towards an object, an optimization of such steering leads to a close and accurate approach. In a method for controlling a vehicle having a drive unit and a braking device during a parking operation leading up to an object, the vehicle is brought to a parking speed within a first distance of the vehicle from the object, the parking speed maximally corresponding to the drive speed that is achievable using the idling speed, the speed is maintained, and after the distance has been covered, the braking device decelerates to standstill within and up to a second distance, which corresponds to the stopping distance. Furthermore, a device is adapted for implementing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Frank Schwitters, Philipp Hueger
  • Patent number: 8326503
    Abstract: When deceleration lock-up differential pressure learning control is entered and a difference between this deceleration lock-up differential pressure instruction value and a disengagement initial pressure of lock-up smooth off control becomes smaller than prior to deceleration lock-up differential pressure learning control, the disengagement initial pressure PS of lock-up smooth off control is corrected to a low side in accordance with a difference between that deceleration lock-up differential pressure instruction value and the disengagement initial pressure. Furthermore, by changing the sweep gradient of lock-up smooth off control to a small side, and in addition, correcting the disengagement initial pressure PS of lock-up smooth off control to a low side in consideration of disengagement delay of the lock-up clutch pursuant to that sweep gradient change, the actual disengagement time during lock-up smooth off control can be matched with a target disengagement time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sei Kojima
  • Patent number: 8321102
    Abstract: A method for controlling a drive train of a motor vehicle comprising a drive engine, an automated transmission, and an automated clutch arranged in the force flow between the drive engine and the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Maik Wurthner, Werner Wolfgang, Ingo Sauter
  • Patent number: 8321085
    Abstract: A working vehicle of the present invention achieves more stabilized constant speed traveling. A vehicle speed control section 20A of a controller 2 calculates a target drive force required for constant speed traveling on the basis of a preset standard traveling resistance (S1). And, on the basis of an output rotational speed (S2) and the target drive force (S1) of a torque converter 14, the vehicle speed control section 20A determines a target input rotational speed (S3) to be inputted to the torque converter 14, and sets a clutch pressure (S5) so as to eliminate a difference between the target input rotational speed and an actual input rotational speed (S4). A standard traveling resistance correction section 20B corrects a standard traveling resistance according to state of a road surface, long term change of components, and so on. Due to this, it is possible to perform stabilized constant speed traveling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Saito
  • Patent number: 8321107
    Abstract: In a method and a control unit for controlling the position of an automatic disc clutch in a vehicle, which disc clutch is arranged to transmit motive force from an internal combustion engine to an input shaft of a stagegeared gearbox in the vehicle, the control unit is arranged to position the clutch in a first position, preparing the vehicle for take off, with the gearbox having a starting gear engaged, and where the clutch in the first position transmits a smaller torque, characterized in that the control unit being further arranged to position the clutch in a second more disengaged position compared to the first position, if a driver of the vehicle does not demand vehicle take off torque by activating a throttle control within a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Svante Karlsson, Erik Lauri
  • Patent number: 8321108
    Abstract: A method of controlling an automobile clutch in an automated transmission system with a CMPC control is disclosed having application to vehicle clutch control in an AMT system. The driver's request is translated in terms of sliding velocity ?sl. Constraints on the engine and clutch actuators are defined to respect their operating limits, and driving quality constraints are defined to guarantee comfort during the clutch engagement phase. In order to meet these quality constraints, a reference trajectory is defined for ?sl as a function of the clutch engagement time. An analytical expression allowing real-time calculation of a set of control trajectories with a CMPC control law is then defined from the expression of this reference trajectory. The trajectory respecting the constraints on the actuators is selected from among all these control trajectories. Finally, the clutch is controlled with the selected control trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: IFP
    Inventors: Paolino Tona, Rachid Amari, Mazen Alamir
  • Patent number: 8321109
    Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a clutch, for example an automatic friction clutch forming part of a drive train of a motor vehicle, for a torque transfer between an engine and a transmission, with the clutch having significant clutch way points assigned to it. For achieving the operational readiness of the clutch over the shortest possible time period, whereby an accurate clutch adjustment is still guaranteed, a clutch way point coordinate system is monitored by checking the point of engagement of the clutch, established through a learning process and having at least a relevant clutch way point for the starting procedure. In case of any recognized change(s), the clutch way point is suitably corrected or otherwise used as is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Rainer Petzold, Peter Herter
  • Patent number: 8321105
    Abstract: One disclosed embodiment relates to a propulsion system for a machine. The propulsion system may include a prime mover operatively connected through a continuously variable transmission to a propulsion device. The propulsion system may also include propulsion-system controls that control an operating parameter of the continuously variable transmission, which may include adjusting the operating parameter based on operator input. Controlling the operating parameter may also include determining an adjustment limit for the operating parameter based on one or more operating conditions and applying the adjustment limit to the operating parameter to modify at least one of acceleration and jerk of the machine based on the one or more operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kristofor Lee Dahl, Brian Douglas Hoff, Richard George Ingram, Michael Anthony Spielman, Jr., Benjamin B. Schmuck, Alberto Martinez, Jr., Yaang Zhao