Adaptive Control Patents (Class 701/68)
  • Publication number: 20110208397
    Abstract: A starting-clutch control apparatus is configured to control connection between a driving side and a driven side of a vehicle using a starting clutch disposed therebetween. A driving-shaft rotation speed detector is configured to detect a rotation speed of a driving shaft of the starting clutch. A driven-shaft rotation speed detector is configured to detect a rotation speed of a driven shaft of the starting clutch. A cumulative work amount calculator is configured to calculate a cumulative work amount of the starting clutch based on pressure applied to the starting clutch, the rotation speed of the driving shaft, and the rotation speed of the driven shaft. A torque output restricting device is configured to restrict an output torque of a driving source of the vehicle when the starting clutch is in a transient engagement state and the cumulative work amount exceeds a first specific value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ayae IKURO, Takahiro Eguchi, Takeshi Kurata, Tamotsu Kotegawa, Satoshi Yamashita, Yoshiteru Matsuura, Satoshi Kanazawa
  • Patent number: 8000869
    Abstract: A method for determining a torque characteristic of a friction clutch located in a drive train of a motor vehicle in the force flow between a drive engine and a transmission and which is closed in its rest position. At least two marker points of a regulating-path-dependent torque characteristic are determined, one of which is determined at a slipping limit of the clutch. To enhance determination of the torque characteristic, a first marker point is determined with the clutch engaged, the transmission in neutral and the engine running, by slowly disengaging the clutch until a reduction in the speed of the transmission input shaft relative to the engine speed is detected. A corresponding pair of values of this marker point with the known braking torque of the input shaft and the set position are used for adapting an existing characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Rainer Petzold, Peter Herter, Franz Bitzer
  • Publication number: 20110196590
    Abstract: A start control device and a start control method of a vehicular power transmission system including a lock-up clutch and a start clutch are provided in which start-time lock-up slip control is performed, and neutral control is performed. When the start-time lock-up slip control is additionally executed during cancellation of the neutral control, the gradient of an output rotational speed of the hydraulic power transmission which is changed, through engagement of the start clutch, toward an input rotational speed of the automatic transmission at the time of completion of engagement of the start clutch is controlled, using at least one of a start clutch pressure that is increased so as to engage the start clutch, and a lock-up clutch pressure that is increased so as to bring the lock-up clutch into slip engagement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi AYABE, Tomohiro Asami, Hidenori Saito
  • Publication number: 20110196589
    Abstract: In a method for compensating for volume changes of a hydraulic fluid in an actuating device used for actuating a clutch, which actuating device includes a master cylinder, an actuator connected to a piston of the master cylinder, and a slave cylinder hydraulically connected to the master cylinder for disengaging the clutch. The position of the piston of the master cylinder is corrected as a function of temperature and that the actuating device include an element for the temperature-dependent correction of the position of the piston of the master cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventors: Werner Urban, Mykhaylo Klymenko
  • Publication number: 20110190997
    Abstract: A method of actuating a clutch of a hydrodynamic torque converter in a self-propelling working machine such that when the clutch is engaged and thereby connects a drive input of the hydrodynamic torque converter to a drive output of the hydrodynamic torque converter, and when a service brake is actuated, the clutch is disengaged thereby separating a drive input of the hydrodynamic torque converter from a drive output of the hydrodynamic torque converter. The method comprises the steps of, when the service brake is actuated, actuating the clutch in the engaging direction, and maintaining engagement of the clutch if a device for recognizing a driving status of the working machine detects that the working machine is driving downhill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Hans Hofler, Thomas Kurz
  • Patent number: 7991491
    Abstract: A control device for controlling a controlled system, such as steering, braking or accelerating when driving a car, as well other operations for other vehicles or systems, includes an automatic control system that generates automatically generated control signals, a haptic control command input device generates manual control command inputs, and an arbitration unit which resolves disputes between the automatically generated signals and the manual control command inputs. The haptic control generates control signals that depend on both the automatically generated control signals and the manual control command inputs, and adjustments are made continuously therebetween using rule based feed back control signals. Arbitration is performed in the dead spaced of the controlled system or the haptic control command input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventors: Frank Flemisch, Jan Schomerus, Johann Kelsch
  • Publication number: 20110184616
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling the torque converter clutch (TCC) pressure during power downshift events. In order to provide a method for controlling the torque converter clutch (TCC) pressure during power downshift events, the present invention proposes that an inertia torque is computed at the beginning of the shift and that a pressure compensation is applied on the TCC during the downshift using the inertia torque. With such a pressure compensation it is possible to stay in regulation mode which improves both shift quality and fuel consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Vincent Holtz
  • Patent number: 7979186
    Abstract: A torque converter clutch slip rate monitoring system includes a slip rate calculation module that receives a raw slip speed of a torque converter clutch and that calculates torque converter clutch slip acceleration based on the raw slip speed. A torque converter clutch slip rate monitoring module detects deviation of the slip acceleration from a predetermined range during a pulldown of the torque converter clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventors: Haytham A. Fayyad, William R. Mayhew
  • Patent number: 7979187
    Abstract: A method for coupling a load to a power source by means of a clutch, the method having the steps of initially increasing the pressure of the actuator to bring the pressure plates of the clutch into contact with the clutch plates gradually increasing the pressure of the actuator even further to allow the clutch plates to be engaged with the pressure plates while decreasing at least ones the pressure during a short time to create pressure dips such that the torque generated over the load is at least temporarily decreased, and levelling the pressure of the actuator to maintain the engagement of the pressure plates with the clutch plates to allow the load to be driven by the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Guy H. J. Osselaere, Karel C. F. Pauwels
  • Publication number: 20110166760
    Abstract: A clutch unit comprises a wet friction clutch for controllable transmission of a torque from an input element to an output element, oil for cooling the friction clutch, and an actuator for actuating the friction clutch. In order to control the clutch unit, a temperature is ascertained in the friction clutch. A characteristic curve of the friction clutch that describes the dependence of a clutch torque on an actuator control variable is adapted as a function of the ascertained temperature. The clutch unit is controlled in accordance with the characteristic curve by means of the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: Magna Powertrain AG & KG
    Inventor: Martin Kiessner-Haiden
  • Patent number: 7974758
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting the torque transmitted by a friction clutch via an actuator chain having an electric motor, a reduction gear and a mechanism for converting the rotary movement of the electric motor. In the method, a desired angle of rotation of the electric motor or a link of the actuator chain is determined from the torque to be transmitted by the friction clutch and is set in a setting procedure based on a given torque/angle dependence. To compensate for wear inside the friction clutch, a calibration process takes place in which a first correction angle is determined for the torque/angle dependence. Variations in a torque/power consumption dependence caused by wear within the actuator chain are also taken into account. Specifically, the number of setting procedures of the electric motor within a predetermined time interval is determined and is used to correct the torque/power consumption dependence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: MAGNA Powertrain AG & Co KG
    Inventor: Martin Kiessner-Haiden
  • Patent number: 7966116
    Abstract: A method for controlling dual clutch transmission with at least two partial drive trains, each arranged to be coupled with an engine by means of a clutch, in that, a first clutch of an actively operated partial drive train currently transmitting torque is opened, whereas a second clutch of the partial drive train not actively operated is closed in the already engaged gear and determining a reduction of a maximum possible lateral guiding force of at least one drive wheel and determining torque transmitted by the clutches, wherein, in the case of reduction of the maximally possible lateral guiding force below a default value and in the case that torque is transmitted by both clutches, the torque of one of the clutches is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignees: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG, Getrag Getriebe-und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG
    Inventors: Heiko Priller, Thomas Weber, Juergen Eich, Tobias Kalisch, Ralf Hettich, Marc Kramer, Martin Seufert
  • Publication number: 20110125378
    Abstract: A method for setting the engagement point of a friction clutch of a multi-step transmission for a motor vehicle. The friction clutch can be activated, controlled, by means of a clutch actuator. A set point value of the clutch actuator is set for the engagement point of the friction clutch as a function of a time profile of a physical variable which occurs starting from a transition state after activation of the friction clutch to a transition value. An electric machine is connected to the multi-step transmission. Influencing of the multi-step transmission by the electric machine is taken into account in the setting of the engagement point of the friction clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: GETRAG Getriebe- und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG
    Inventors: Uli Christian Blessing, Markus Schuerlein, Joerg Meissner
  • Patent number: 7949453
    Abstract: A method controlling a clutch arrangement that serves, in a powertrain of a motor vehicle, for the transmission of a torque from an input element to an output element. Starting from an activated state of the clutch arrangement, a respective estimated torque value is calculated in repeating calculation cycles. A torque build-up value is calculated in dependence on at least one speed difference value. A torque reduction value is calculated in dependence on at least the last calculated estimated torque value. The estimated torque value is re-calculated on the basis of the last calculated estimated torque value by up integration of the calculated torque build-up value and down integration of the calculated torque reduction value. The recalculated estimated torque value is compared with a torque threshold value. The clutch arrangement is deactivated when the recalculated estimated torque value is below the torque threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: MAGNA Powertrain AG & Co KG
    Inventors: Martin Parigger, Thomas Linortner, Simon Kaimer, Heribert Dietrich
  • Publication number: 20110112738
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for detecting tuning measures through which the actual output power of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle is increased relative to design output power value, whereby, to detect the tuning measures, deviations of actual output power value from a nominal output power value are evaluated, the latter being provided by a control device. The invention is distinguished in that measures are initiated to protect a clutch device from overload as soon as torque to be transmitted by the clutch device exceeds a critical value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Michael REUSCHEL
  • Publication number: 20110093176
    Abstract: A method is provided for actuating a hydraulic operated clutch of an automotive gear box for shifting gears, that includes, but is not limited to the steps of collecting data from a CAN-bus system, which includes, but is not limited to data about torque and speed of the gear box particularly of an input shaft and/or of an output shaft, and adjusting the engagement time for engaging the input shaft with the output shaft based on the collected data by adjusting the maximum hydraulic diameter for a working fluid for operating the clutch. By using the information provided by the CAN-bus the exact situation of the transmission system during the shifting of the gears can be estimated. Based on the information provided by the CAN-bus it is possible to allow at mainly every situation a maximum fast coupling without significant impairments with respect to the provided comfort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Christian KUNZE
  • Publication number: 20110093175
    Abstract: In a method for engaging a clutch having at least one previously known touch point position, the clutch is engaged according to a speed profile, the course of which depends on at least one of the previously known touch point positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: Andreas Seel
  • Patent number: 7925407
    Abstract: The adjustment method includes an estimation step in which valve characteristics of the linear solenoid valves fitted to the hydraulic control circuit are measured, and estimated linear valve characteristics of the linear solenoid valves in isolation state are estimated based on the measured valve characteristics using predetermined correlations; and a correction value output step in which estimated linear piston-end pressures of the hydraulically-driven friction engagement elements immediately before the hydraulically-driven friction engagement elements are engaged are calculated based on the estimated linear valve characteristics, and the correction values that are applied to the control command values to adjust the drive currents supplied from the valve control unit to the linear solenoid valves are calculated based on differences between the estimated linear piston-end pressures and nominal piston-end pressures, and then output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masami Kondo, Masaharu Tanaka, Takayuki Kawakami, Naoto Moriya
  • Publication number: 20110077830
    Abstract: A method and apparatus provide control of a neutral idle (NI) clutch to allow a vehicle with automatic engine start-stop functionality to utilize the NI state as a transitional shift state, either upon or just prior to engine shutdown, to minimize driveline disturbances. By controlling the NI state, the vehicle driveline is decoupled and torque multiplication is prevented upon engine restart. Execution of an algorithm unloads the engine upon shutdown, and unloads or partially loads the engine as a designated NI clutch reapplies during an engine restart event. The NI clutch may be a component of a multi-speed automatic transmission, e.g., a 6-speed or an 8-speed transmission, having a plurality of torque transfer mechanisms or clutches. One of these clutches is designated as the NI clutch, and this designated NI clutch may be selectively actuated to enter the NI state in conjunction with engine shut down/restart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald F. Lochocki, JR., David W. Wright, Micheal P. Portell
  • Patent number: 7917268
    Abstract: A clutch engagement control system for a vehicle transmission. The system comprises an automatic transmission gearset and at least one hydraulic clutch coupled to the gearset. A hydraulic pressure controller is coupled to the clutch. A clutch engagement controller is coupled to the pressure controller, and an altitude sensor is coupled to the clutch engagement controller. The clutch engagement controller is configured to receive from the altitude sensor an altitude signal corresponding to the altitude of the vehicle. The clutch engagement controller adjusts a hydraulic pressure request of the pressure controller in accordance with the altitude signal, such that the clutch engages with at least one of a rate and pressure corresponding to the sensed altitude. A method employs the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Thomas Sladek
  • Patent number: 7917275
    Abstract: A vehicle control method for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine coupled to a torque converter is described. In one embodiment, the engine air flow and spark are adjusted to control torque converter operation. The method can improve vehicle response to driver accelerator commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Doering, Brad Riedle, Rob Ciarrocchi, Scott Redmon, Hank Kwong, William Eckenrode, Frederick Page
  • Publication number: 20110071742
    Abstract: When an inertia phase of an upshift of the transmission is started during a lockup clutch engagement operation, a following command oil pressure to be used during a following lockup clutch engagement operation is learned on the basis of a slip rotation speed, which is a rotation speed difference between an input side rotation speed of the torque converter and an output side rotation speed of the torque converter, at or after a start point of the inertia phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Yukiyoshi Inuta, Hideki Oshita, Morimasa Yamawaki, Kazuo Tomioka, Masayuki Mannen, Tatsuya Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7908070
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a coupling device between an input shaft driven by a motor and an output shaft that can transmit a maximum torque according to the position of an actuator of the coupling device 5 complying with a law of behavior of the coupling means according to which: a set value (Cemb,cons) of maximum torque to be transmitted is defined; the actual position (Xemb,mes) of the actuator of the coupling device is measured; a set value (Xemb,cons) is determined for actuating the coupling device and is sent to the actuator of the coupling device, while using a law of behavior of the coupling means obtained by interpolation between a first law of reference of behavior of the coupling means and at least one second law of reference of behavior of the coupling means, and; an auto-adaptation of the law of behavior of the coupling means is carried out for taking into consideration its evolution resulting from the use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Yvan Le Neindre, Gaetan Rocq
  • Publication number: 20110054755
    Abstract: A control device for an automatic transmission includes a determining unit determines that a friction element is to be set in an engaged condition in case a vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a determination reference and determining that the friction element is to be set in a disengaged condition in case the vehicle speed is lower than the determination reference, and a engagement control unit that performs control to engage or disengage the friction element on the basis of a determination result of the determining unit, wherein the engagement control unit comprises a prohibiting unit that prohibits setting of the friction element in the engaged condition until a predetermined condition is established, regardless of the determination result, after the friction element has been modified from the engaged condition to the disengaged condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Naohiro YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20110054753
    Abstract: A method for controlling slip across a torque limiting clutch includes determining a driveline slip threshold. A cut-off temperature is determined based on at least one of a clutch temperature, a steering wheel input and a vehicle speed. A driveline slip is determined. At least of a spark retardation and a throttle cut-off is initiated when the clutch temperature is greater than the cut-off temperature and the driveline slip is greater than the driveline slip threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Timothy M. Burns, Sankar K. Mohan, Anupam Sharma
  • Publication number: 20110054754
    Abstract: A clutch actuator and to a method for the control thereof. The actuator actuates a multi-disk clutch, and to do so has actuator modules. The number of which corresponds to the number of the friction clutches. The modules have separate control units and electric motors, which are controlled by the control units and act on the friction clutches by a disengaging mechanism. In order to counter block the partial drive trains disposed downstream of the friction clutches, particularly automatically closed friction clutches during a malfunction of an actuator module, the actuator modules are connected among each other to a data line, which allows monitoring of the actuator modules and counter-measures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: LUK LAMELLEN UND KUPPLUNGSBAU BETEILIGUNGS KG
    Inventors: Martin ZIMMERMANN, Matthias GRAMANN, Juergen GERHART, Martin RAPP, Wolfgang HILL, Michael MENZEL, Wai-Wai BUCHET
  • Patent number: 7899600
    Abstract: A control system is provided. The control system includes a timer module that receives a first torque converter clutch (TCC) apply request and estimates at least one of a message latency time and a hydraulic latency time. A control module receives a subsequent TCC apply request and generates a torque request for an engine based on the at least one of the hydraulic latency time and the torque message latency time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Todd J. Thor
  • Publication number: 20110046862
    Abstract: A device for determining, when driving a vehicle, a mapping of torque transmitted by a clutch of the automobile based on a position of a clutch control member. The device includes a mechanism updating the mapping based on position thresholds of the clutch control member. The updating modifies values of the thresholds based on minimum and maximum values of the positions of the control member stored in the mapping and on current values of the thresholds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: RENAULT S.A.S.
    Inventors: Alessandro Monti, Richard Pothin, Christophe Desfriches
  • Patent number: 7894964
    Abstract: An engine control apparatus basically has a clutch release detecting component, a time measuring component and a rotational speed synchronization control component. The clutch release detecting component detects when a clutch arranged between an engine and a manual transmission has been released to prevent rotation from being transferred from the engine to the manual transmission during shifting. The time measuring component measures an amount of time that elapses after the clutch is released. The rotational speed synchronization control component starts rotational speed synchronization control when the clutch is released and a prescribed delay time has elapsed since the clutch was released so that an engine rotational speed matches a predicted input rotational speed of the manual transmission being based on a vehicle speed and a gear position that is occurring after shifting is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Murayama, Masahiro Iriyama
  • Patent number: 7885748
    Abstract: A vehicle control system for regulating operation of a vehicle having a transmission includes a first module that processes an output shaft signal which is based on rotation of an output shaft of the transmission through a third order Kalman filter to determine an acceleration of the output shaft A second module calculates the acceleration of the vehicle based on the acceleration of said output shaft. A third module regulates operation of the vehicle based on the acceleration of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventors: Haytham A. Fayyad, Min K. Kim
  • Patent number: 7885749
    Abstract: In a drive system, where power from a motor is transmitted to a drive shaft and a transmission ratio is changed by a transmission, if the absolute value of the difference between the reference torque Tm2r0, which is the drive shaft side torque Tm2r at the onset of a change in the shift speed of the transmission, and the driving shaft side torque Tm2r during the change is less than the threshold value ? until the end of the change (S280), the application state of a brake in the transmission during the change and the state of the hydraulic pressure supplied to the brake are learned (S290). During the change, and actuator of the transmission is controlled using those learned results. Accordingly, any deviations that may have occurred due to changes over time in the transmission, etc. are corrected and the shift speed of the transmission is changed more appropriately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kensuke Kamichi, Kiyoshiro Ueoka, Masaya Yamamoto, Kazuomi Okasaka, Yoichi Tajima
  • Publication number: 20110024258
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to durability enhancement techniques for a dry-clutch vehicle transmission. A cooling system that provides a direct convective cooling path to friction surfaces is disclosed. Also disclosed is a continuously variable clutch wear compensation assembly configured to adjust the position of clutch assembly components on-demand or as needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Eli Avny, Matthew John Shelton, Steven Gerald Thomas
  • Publication number: 20110022279
    Abstract: A method for controlling a clutch of an electronic locking differential for a vehicle includes determining either that a speed of the vehicle is less than a reference speed or that a desired state of the clutch is a disengaged state, determining that an angular displacement of a steering wheel from a centered position is less than a first reference angle, and disengaging the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Jacob M. Povirk, John R. Saieg, Gary M. Pietrzyk
  • Publication number: 20110022280
    Abstract: A system for controlling a flow of hydraulic fluid between a hydraulic actuator and a torque transmitting device includes a position sensor in communication with the hydraulic actuator and operable to detect a position of the hydraulic actuator, a temperature sensor in communication with the hydraulic fluid and operable to detect a temperature of the hydraulic fluid, and a flow control device. The flow control devices includes a housing defining a first passage and a second passage, the first passage in communication with the hydraulic actuator and the second passage in communication with the torque transmitting device. An electronic actuator is located between the first passage and the second passage and is operable to selectively control a flow of the hydraulic fluid between the first passage and the second passage. A controller is in communication with the position sensor, the temperature sensor, and the electronic actuator of the flow control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Andrew R. Greenwood-Smith
  • Publication number: 20110015843
    Abstract: A method is described for classifying a clutch unit for a drivetrain of a motor vehicle, wherein the clutch unit has at least one friction clutch for the controllable transmission of a torque from an input element to an output element and has an actuator for actuating the friction clutch. Here, the clutch unit is controlled on the basis of a predefined characteristic curve which describes a predefined dependency of the clutch torque to be transmitted on an actuator control variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Raphael Biancale, Gernot Maier, Martin Kiessner-Haiden, Martin Parigger
  • Patent number: 7869912
    Abstract: This invention relates to a hybrid vehicle controlling device and method of using the device, in which an engine torque proportion (which is transmitted from an engine to a driving shaft) of a total sum of torque transmitted to the driving shaft is calculated. An allowed surge torque value, which is an upper limit of a surge torque allowed to the engine, is set to a larger value as the engine torque proportion is reduced. Then a predetermined parameter of the engine is changed so that the engine is controlled in a range in which the surge torque of the engine does not go beyond the allowed surge torque value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Youichi Kishimoto
  • Publication number: 20100324794
    Abstract: A control system for a powertrain of a vehicle includes a torque module and a damping control module. The torque module determines a first output torque and a second output torque of the engine. The second output torque is determined after the first output torque. The torque module also determines a torque difference based on the first output torque and the second output torque. The damping control module generates a damping torque in a transmission based on the torque difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Scot A. Douglas, Donovan L. Dibble
  • Publication number: 20100312444
    Abstract: A control device for controlling an engagement state of a lock-up clutch is provided. A plurality of target slip ratio maps include a normal slip ratio map having a characteristic line of a target slip ratio defined in accordance with an engine load at a normal vehicle running condition and a modified slip ratio map having a characteristic line of the target slip ratio to become a facing calorific value lower than a facing calorific value corresponding to the slip ratio retrieved from the normal slip ratio map. In the case where an estimate value of the facing temperature continues to exceed first threshold temperature for more than predetermined time when to carry out slip control using the normal slip ratio map, control to switch the target slip ratio map from the normal slip ratio map to the modified slip ratio map is carried out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaaki TAKAMATSU, Yutaka Ishikawa, Shinya Abe
  • Patent number: 7835844
    Abstract: An automatic friction clutch in a drive train of a motor vehicle is controlled to transfer a clutch torque that includes an engine torque-dependent component and a clutch slip-dependent component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Olaf Werner, Roland Seebacher, Klaus Kuepper, Carsten Mohr, Severine Gallou
  • Publication number: 20100268427
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a hydraulic transmission uses a clutch fill profile having a hold level that varies as a function of torque. A pressure required for an on-coming clutch to hold the gear of the off-going clutch without a flare or over-speed condition is calculated. This pressure approximates the pressure of the on-coming clutch when a disengage command with respect to the off-going clutch is reached. The pulse and hold phases for the clutch are executed at times that are constant from shift to shift and do not vary as a function of torque or slip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Todd R. Kabrich
  • Publication number: 20100262346
    Abstract: If the a rotational speed difference (Ne?Nt) between an engine speed (Ne) and a turbine speed (Nt) when it is determined that a lock-up ON condition (OFF?ON) is satisfied is large, the lock-up clutch is not engaged but torque reduction control is executed to reduce the engine speed (Ne), thus reducing the rotational speed difference (Ne?Nt) (steps ST13 and ST14). Then, once the rotational speed difference (Ne?Nt) has been reduced to the target rotational speed difference (Nslp), the lock-up clutch is engaged (steps ST15 and ST16). In this manner, excessive heating of the friction material of the lock-up clutch is suppressed which increases the longevity of the friction material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KANUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hitoshi Matsunaga, Koji Oshima
  • Patent number: 7813858
    Abstract: A method for controlling the slip of a vehicle clutch, wherein in the method the difference between a speed signal of the drive-end input shaft of the clutch and a filtered speed signal of a transmission-end clutch output shaft are maintained at a desired value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Rainer Praus, Olaf Werner
  • Patent number: 7813857
    Abstract: A transfer case for a motor vehicle having an input shaft, a first output shaft, a second output shaft, a clutch, a transfer mechanism, a sensor portion and a magnetoelastic torque sensor. The clutch has a clutch pack and a thrust mechanism that is configured to exert an engagement force on the clutch pack. The clutch pack has a first portion, which is rotatably driven by either or both of the input shaft and the first output shaft, and a second portion that is supported for rotation relative to the first portion. The transfer mechanism couples the second portion of the clutch pack to the second output shaft. The sensor portion is coupled to the first or second output shaft and is at least partially formed of a magnetoelastic material. The magnetoelastic torque sensor is disposed about and radially in-line with the sensor portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: MAGNA Powertrain USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Mizon, Malcolm E. Kirkwood, Brian Vaughn, Sankar K. Mohan, Eric A. Bansbach
  • Publication number: 20100250080
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an automated manual transmission having a plurality of power transmitting units respectively including clutches for connecting and disconnecting a power transmission path between a power source and the automated manual transmission and transmission mechanisms connected to the corresponding clutches so as to transmit a power of the power source, includes a clutch temperature calculating means for calculating a temperature of each of the clutches, and a vehicle moving start controlling means for controlling a moving start of the vehicle so that when the temperature of one of the clutches, calculated by means of the clutch temperature calculating means, is equal to or higher than a predetermined usage restriction threshold value, the other one of the clutches is used so as to transmit the power of the power source to the other one of the power transmission units, having the other one of the clutches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN AI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shuichi DOMAE, Atsushi Takeuchi, Kiyoshi Nagami, Takeshige Miyazaki, Yoshiki Ito, Hiroki Hatori, Hiroshi Toyoda
  • Publication number: 20100250079
    Abstract: A clutch control device that controls a clutch by driving a piston using a working fluid, having: stroke start determining means (S1) for determining that a stroke of the piston has started and detecting a stroke start oil pressure at that time; stroke end determining means (S4) for determining that the stroke of the piston is complete and detecting a stroke end oil pressure at that time; stroke end range estimating means (S3) for estimating a range of the stroke end oil pressure from the stroke start oil pressure detected by the stroke start determining means; and learning means (S5, S6) for learning the stroke end oil pressure detected by the stroke end determining means when the stroke end oil pressure is within the estimated range of the stroke end oil pressure. Learning precision of the stroke end oil pressure can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Kawamoto
  • Publication number: 20100241328
    Abstract: A method for hill start assistance for a motor vehicle and to an associated device that includes a clutch and a transmission between the clutch and driving wheels of the vehicle. The method determines the torque of the clutch for maintaining the vehicle in an immobile position based on a known engine torque, wherein the torque of the clutch is determined by taking into account a portion of the engine torque dedicated to operation of constituent mechanisms of the vehicle other than the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: RENAULT S.A.S.
    Inventors: Alessandro De Rinaldis, Mickael Mallet, Richard Pothin, Yves Le Vourch
  • Publication number: 20100235062
    Abstract: A controller has a command section, a control section, a time measurement section, and a command fixing section. The command section generates a command regarding the actuation state of a lock-up clutch in accordance with a condition value that is determined by the accelerator operating amount and the vehicle speed. The time measurement section starts to measure time when the accelerator operating amount drops to 0 with the current condition value maintained in a hysteresis range and the command section generates the acceleration slip executing command. When the accelerator operating amount is increased from 0, the time measurement section stops the measurement of time and resets the measured time to 0. The command fixing section fixes the command of the command section as an acceleration slip executing command in the period from when the time measurement by the time measurement section has started to when the measured time reaches a determination value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Naoto MORIYA, Yoshio Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20100228456
    Abstract: A control method for closing a clutch in an automatic manual transmission during a gear shifting to pass from a current gear to a successive gear; the automatic manual transmission has a gearbox provided with at least one primary shaft and at least one secondary shaft connected to driving wheels, and at least one clutch interposed between the primary shaft of the gearbox and a drive shaft of an engine; the control method includes, during the closing of the clutch, when the rotation speed of an engine side of the clutch is close to the rotation speed of a gearbox side of the clutch, the steps of: determining a speed difference between the rotation speed of the engine side of the clutch and the rotation speed of the gearbox side of the clutch; determining an acceleration target according to the speed difference; and determining a target torque that has to be transmitted through the clutch according to the acceleration target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventors: Francesco Marcigliano, Davide Montosi
  • Publication number: 20100222973
    Abstract: A system is installed in a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a transmission, and a clutch. The system restarts, according to at least one engine restart condition is met, the internal combustion engine that has been automatically controlled for stop thereof. The system includes a restart-condition determiner configured to determine that, as the at least one engine restart condition, an operation of the clutch is started by a driver of the vehicle for shifting the second state to the first state. The system includes a state detector configured to detect an operated state of the clutch during the clutch is shifted from a disengagement state to an engagement state. The system includes a restart controller configured to determine whether to enable or disable the restart of the internal combustion engine according to the operated state of the clutch detected by the state detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi SENDA, Kenji KAWAHARA, Akira KATO, Masayuki TOMURA, Masanori YAMAMURA
  • Publication number: 20100217493
    Abstract: In an idle stop system for an engine mounted in a vehicle, when it is determined predetermined stop conditions are met, the engine is automatically stopped. During the engine stop, when it is determined that predetermined restart conditions are met, the engine is automatically restarted. Further, it is determined whether or not a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the restart of the engine. When it is determined that the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the clutch mechanism is controlled into the connection thereof at and after a time instant when it is determined that the predetermined period of time has elapsed. Hence, the connected state of the clutch mechanism is realized after a controlled delay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayuki TOMURA, Takashi SENDA