Having Fuel Cutting Or Ignition Timing Retarding Patents (Class 701/86)
  • Publication number: 20150127232
    Abstract: A traction control device reducing an output of an engine unit for suppressing a spin of a driving wheel of a motorcycle, includes: a first spin detection unit detecting a spin of a rear wheel based on a vehicle speed calculated from a rotation of a front wheel being a driven wheel to which a driving force is not transmitted from the engine unit, and a vehicle speed calculated from a rotation of the rear wheel being the driving wheel to which the driving force is transmitted; and a second spin detection unit detecting the spin of the rear wheel based on a vehicle speed calculated from the rotation of the front wheel, and a vehicle speed calculated from a rotation of the engine unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro HAMAMURA, Yutaro KOBAYASHI, Kazunori KAWAI
  • Patent number: 9026292
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a fuel tank isolation valve coupled to a fuel tank in a vehicle are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises, in response to a refuel request, actuating a fuel tank isolation valve to vent a fuel tank for refueling; and, in response to a pressure in the fuel tank below a threshold pressure after a predetermined time duration, discontinuing actuation of the fuel tank isolation valve to seal the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Paul Lindlbauer, Ted Haladyna, William David Treharne
  • Patent number: 8909397
    Abstract: When an abnormality except for a temperature abnormality of a travel-purpose battery is detected, a battery of the present invention renders a system main relay to make a change to a battery-less travel mode while using a battery cooling fan to cool the travel-purpose battery. When a temperature abnormality of the travel-purpose battery is still detected, a system-off command signal is output to cause the hybrid vehicle to become unable to travel. In this way, limp home mode and system shutoff of the hybrid vehicle can be surely implemented even in the case where an abnormality occurs to the travel-purpose battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Aridome, Takahiko Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 8666641
    Abstract: A system or method for controlling a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine operable in a reduced displacement mode with at least one valve or cylinder selectively deactivated include monitoring valve operation by analyzing camshaft position to detect valve operation inconsistent with a current cylinder state (activated or deactivated) and controlling the engine in response to detecting the inconsistent operation. The camshaft position may be used to produce a surrogate signal indicative of intake/exhaust valve lift generated using camshaft sensor tooth deviation relative to an expected or reference tooth position for a corresponding crankshaft position and compared to a corresponding threshold. The surrogate signal indicative of valve lift may also be generated by pattern matching or correlation of one or more reference tooth position patterns to a measured or inferred tooth position pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Robert Andrew Wade, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Steven Joseph Szwabowski
  • Patent number: 8635001
    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: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Doering, Brad Riedle, Rob Ciarrocchi, Scott Redmon, Hank Kwong, William Eckenrode, Frederick Page
  • Patent number: 8538649
    Abstract: A method and system for managing accumulator effects during engagement of a lockup clutch of a torque converter includes selecting a pump speed profile that reduces a rotational speed of a pump of the torque converter from an initial value to a rotation speed of a turbine of the torque converter. A pump acceleration profile is determined based on the pump speed profile. Engagement of the lockup clutch is controlled as a function of an inertia of an engine associated with the torque converter, a torque applied by the engine to the pump, the rotational speed of the turbine, the pump speed profile, and the pump acceleration profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey K. Runde
  • Patent number: 8532903
    Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine having at least one fuel injection valve for injecting fuel in a combustion chamber of the engine. A main injection and a pilot injection are performed through the at least one fuel injection valve, the pilot injection being performed before the main injection. A demand output of the engine is temporarily reduced upon a request for reducing an output of the engine. The output of the engine is reduced when the demand output is reduced. A control of the pilot injection corresponding to a state where the demand output is not reduced is performed when the demand output is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Ueda, Akira Odajima
  • Patent number: 8527168
    Abstract: A method for ascertaining a rotational speed parameter for determining a setpoint torque for driving a drivetrain. The drivetrain comprises a first and at least one second drive assembly for driving a hybrid vehicle. The first drive assembly can be coupled to the drivetrain by means of a clutch. The second drive assembly is mechanically coupled to the drivetrain. When the hybrid vehicle is being driven by means of at least the first drive assembly, the rotational speed parameter corresponds to the value of a shaft rotational speed. When the hybrid vehicle is being driven only by means of the second drive assembly, the rotational speed parameter corresponds to the value of a determined rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Maass, Christian Vienken, Manfred Hellmann, Kai Moegle
  • Patent number: 8489303
    Abstract: A control system includes an engine control module and a transmission control module. The transmission control module communicates with the engine control module via a network. The engine control module generates a mean engine speed signal and a minimum engine speed signal. The engine control module transmits the mean engine speed signal and the minimum engine speed signal to the transmission control module via the network. The transmission control module controls operation of at least one of a torque converter and a transmission based on the mean engine speed signal and the minimum engine speed signal. The torque converter is connected between an engine and the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventors: Andrew W. Phillips, David S. Mathews
  • Patent number: 8478470
    Abstract: A drivetrain system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The drivetrain system may have an engine, a generator driven by the engine to generate electric power, and a traction motor driven by the electric power from the generator. The drivetrain system may also have a controller in communication with the engine, the generator, and the traction motor. The controller may be configured to determine a change in loading on the traction motor, and determine a change in fueling of the engine that will be required to accommodate the change in loading on the traction motor. The controller may also be configured to selectively rate-limit the change in fueling, and implement the rate-limited change in fueling prior to transmission of the change in loading on the traction motor to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew D. Meads, Keith A. Leisinger, Rajeswari Addepalli
  • Patent number: 8457859
    Abstract: A method for preserving battery operation and life during vehicle post idle shutdown, such vehicle having a delayed accessory power mode operative when an ignition state of the vehicle is in a non-engine running condition while an ignition switch of the vehicle is in the ON position to supply accessories in the vehicle the battery. The method includes: detecting whether the vehicle has been in an post idle shutdown condition and brake pedal not pressed and ignition state unchanged; and placing the vehicle in the delayed accessory power mode after detecting that the vehicle has been in an post idle shutdown condition and while the ignition switch is in the ON position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Allen Drogosch, Anthony Dwayne Cooprider, Karl William Wojcik, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Ryan Edwin Hanson, Daniel James Card
  • Patent number: 8386109
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a fuel burning actuator operable to burn fuel to drive generator means to generate charge to recharge an energy storage means. The apparatus is operable to motor the fuel burning actuator by means of motoring means comprising an electric machine, the fuel burning actuator being operable to pump gas when motored. Brake means comprising a second electric machine is operable to generate charge in a regenerative braking operation in order to recharge the energy storage device. The apparatus is operable automatically to motor the fuel burning actuator by means of the motoring means when the fuel burning actuator is not burning fuel responsive to at least one operating parameter associated with the energy storage means, the apparatus being operable automatically to restrict by means of restrictor means an amount of gas pumped by the fuel burning actuator thereby to increase an amount of work done by the motoring means when the fuel burning actuator is motored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Jaguar Cars Limited
    Inventor: Stephen Nicholls
  • Patent number: 8370040
    Abstract: A vehicle travel control device has a engine that controls an engine based on a driving target controlled variable; a brake that controls a brake device based on a braking target controlled variable; and a automatic travel control that calculates the driving target controlled variable and/or braking target controlled variable so that a vehicle speed of a vehicle becomes a target vehicle speed, and outputs the driving target controlled variable to the engine and the braking target controlled variable to the brake, the vehicle travel control device being configured such that, upon detection of an acceleration operation during the vehicle travel control, the automatic travel control calculates a target vehicle speed for vehicle travel control by the brake device, so that the target vehicle speed becomes higher than a current vehicle speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gen Inoue, Yasuhito Ishida
  • Patent number: 8340865
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle wheel spin control apparatus that, when it is determined that a wheel spin occurs, reduces engine torque to prevent the wheel spin, including: detecting driving control information and information on the state of a vehicle and determining whether basic conditions required to perform engine torque limit control to prevent the wheel spin are satisfied; when the basic conditions are satisfied, calculating a speed variation and the speed gradient value, and comparing the speed gradient value with a predetermined speed gradient value to determine whether a spin occurs; when it is determined that the spin occurs, using a torque gradient map set according to the current engine torque to perform the engine torque limit control; and when the vehicle speed is reduced by the engine torque limit control and cancellation conditions are satisfied, canceling the engine torque limit control and returning to normal control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyungsoo Lee
  • Patent number: 8335625
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly causing a slip of a driving wheel to converge regardless of the change in vehicle conditions when the driving wheel is in a slip state. When a slip occurs on a driving wheel, a second driving force command value is calculated from a driving force control value controlled by driving force control means and an angular acceleration. The second driving force command value is calculated so that torque capable of being transmitted to a road surface by the driving wheel takes the maximum value. Therefore, even if the friction coefficient of road surface or the wheel load changes, the driving torque of driving wheel can be commanded properly, so that the slip can be converged rapidly. The occurrence of slip at the time of re-acceleration after slip convergence can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichiro Yamaguchi, Yoshitaka Deguchi
  • Patent number: 8275498
    Abstract: A system and method for assessing the risk of conjunction of a rocket body with orbiting and non-orbiting platforms. Two-body orbital dynamics are used to initially determine the kinematic access for a ballistic vehicle. The access may be represented in two ways: as a volume relative to its launcher and also as a geographical footprint relative to a target position that encompasses all possible launcher locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Analytical Graphics Inc.
    Inventor: Salvatore Alfano
  • Patent number: 8249796
    Abstract: A system or method for controlling a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine operable in a reduced displacement mode with at least one valve or cylinder selectively deactivated include monitoring valve operation by analyzing camshaft position to detect valve operation inconsistent with a current cylinder state (activated or deactivated) and controlling the engine in response to detecting the inconsistent operation. The camshaft position may be used to produce a surrogate signal indicative of intake/exhaust valve lift generated using camshaft sensor tooth deviation relative to an expected or reference tooth position for a corresponding crankshaft position and compared to a corresponding threshold. The surrogate signal indicative of valve lift may also be generated by pattern matching or correlation of one or more reference tooth position patterns to a measured or inferred tooth position pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Robert Andrew Wade, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Steven Joseph Szwabowski
  • Patent number: 8239113
    Abstract: A vehicle control method for a vehicle having powertrain with an internal combustion engine and a transmission having a clutch, the method comprising of transitioning through a lash region of the transmission during clutch slipping conditions in response to a driver tip-in; and during the transition, first retarding ignition timing past maximum torque timing while increasing engine airflow, and then second, advancing ignition timing from the retarded timing while continuing to increase engine airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Doering, Brad Riedle, Rob Ciarrochi, Hank Kwong, John Rollinger, Frederick Page, Jeff Travis
  • Patent number: 8215424
    Abstract: In requirement of catalyst degradation control with setting of a catalyst degradation control flag Fc to 1, the braking control of the invention sets torque commands Tm1* and Tm2* of two motors and controls the operations of an engine and the two motors to shift a drive point of the engine on an optimum fuel consumption operation curve by a preset rotation speed variation Nrt1 in a specific range of rotation speed that ensures no occurrence of a misfire in the engine within an input limit Win of a battery and to ensure output of a braking torque demand Tr* to a ring gear shaft or driveshaft (steps S200 to S250). Such braking control stably lowers a rotation speed Ne of the engine to a target rotation speed Ne* and desirably enhances the fuel consumption under the catalyst degradation control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keiji Kaita
  • Patent number: 8214114
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is mechanically coupled to a hybrid transmission to transmit mechanical power to an output member. A method for controlling the internal combustion engine includes determining an accelerator output torque request based upon an operator input to the accelerator pedal, and determining an axle torque response type. A preferred input torque from the engine to the hybrid transmission is determined based upon the accelerator output torque request. An allowable range of input torque from the engine which can be reacted with the hybrid transmission is determined based upon the accelerator output torque request and the axle torque response type. The engine is controlled to meet the preferred input torque when the preferred input torque is within the allowable range of input torque from the engine. The engine is controlled within the allowable range of input torque from the engine when the preferred input torque is outside the allowable range of input torques from the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Wilfried Brunssen
  • Patent number: 8185266
    Abstract: It is determined whether a vehicle enters a halting state or a slow moving state. It is detected that an accelerator opening degree of the vehicle is zero during a deceleration duration up to the time to enter the halting state or the slow moving state. Further, an accelerator zero duration is calculated which is a duration for which the vehicle is in the halting state or the slow moving state while the accelerator opening degree is zero. Furthermore, an accelerator zero travel distance is calculated which the vehicle runs during the calculated accelerator zero duration. Based on the accelerator zero travel distance, it is determined whether the fuel saving driving operation is performed in traveling during the accelerator zero travel duration. Even in the state where the travel speed of the vehicle changes more than needs during inertia travel, the fuel saving driving operation is diagnosed appropriately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Itoh
  • Patent number: 8175779
    Abstract: A program is executed which includes a step (S100) of calculating a base required driving force, a step (S200) of calculating a reference driving force, a step (S400) of calculating a final required driving force on which a vibration suppression filtering process has been performed when the base required driving force is greater than a reference driving force, and a step (S500) of calculating a final required driving force on which the vibration suppression filtering process has not been performed when the base required driving force is equal to or less than the reference driving force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sawada, Toshihiro Fukumasu
  • Patent number: 8160790
    Abstract: A vehicle speed control system for a vehicle including a failure detector configured to determine whether or not a failure occurs in the vehicle, a vehicle speed restriction controller configured to control a driving power source to decrease a vehicle speed of the vehicle when the failure detector detects the failure, and a driving state detector configured to detect a driving state of the vehicle. The vehicle speed restriction controller is configured to determine a deceleration pattern according to the driving state detected by the driving state detector at detection of the failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeru Oshima, Takuya Sakamoto, Satoru Sakanaka, Tatsuya Hirokami
  • Patent number: 8150589
    Abstract: A dynamic model that is configured to produce a lockup clutch command as a function of a plurality of torque converter operating parameters is continually solved and the lockup clutch command is asserted to control engagement of the lockup clutch. A profile of one of the plurality of torque converter operating parameters is selected and is configured, when inserted into the model in place of an actual value thereof, to result in an intersection of rotational speeds of the pump and the turbine over time. Deceleration of the pump is monitored after asserting the lockup clutch command and a maximum deceleration of the pump is determined therefrom. The selected profile is temporarily held constant if the monitored deceleration of the pump rises at least a threshold value above the maximum deceleration of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey K. Runde
  • Patent number: 8099207
    Abstract: Method for determining the performance of a motor vehicle consumable, including engine lubricant, fuel and tires in a motor vehicle having an engine with at least one fuel injection valve, a lubricating system and a CANbus network having at least three network nodes, each operably connected to a computer. The method includes operating the vehicle while supplying the engine with fuel through a fuel injection valve and lubricating the engine with the engine lubricant. A first CANbus network node transmits to the computer a signal indicative of the engine fuelling rate based upon the opening time of a fuel injection valve. One or more second CANbus network nodes transmit signals to the computer indicative of one or more variables indicative of the power output of the engine, and one or more third CANbus network nodes transmit signals to the computer indicative of the vehicle operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Castrol Limited
    Inventors: Timothy Edward Fletcher, William Hugh Preston
  • Patent number: 8078392
    Abstract: There is provided with an ECU for estimating an unburned fuel amount (HC) emitted from an engine after fuel combustion or a temperature of a DPF based upon a required engine operating condition as a control target value. An exhaust gas temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of an exhaust gas emitted directly from the engine is provided. A program for compensating for an estimation error in regard to an estimation value of the unburned fuel amount estimated from the required engine operating condition, that is, an operating condition difference amount between the required engine operating condition and an actual engine operating condition, based upon an engine exhaust gas temperature detected from the exhaust gas temperature sensor is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeto Yahata, Shinichirou Okugawa, Tsutomu Soga
  • Patent number: 8055426
    Abstract: The tire driving optimization system may include a first tire that is disposed at one side of a vehicle to transmit driving torque from an engine to a road surface, a second tire that is disposed at the other side of the vehicle to transmit driving torque from the engine to a road surface, an accelerator pedal that is operated by a driver so as to control a fuel injection amount that is injected into the engine, and a control portion configured to determine a first consumption energy value that is consumed through the first tire and a second consumption energy value that is consumed through the second tire, and to adjust engine output based on the first consumption energy value and the second consumption energy value if the vehicle is unstable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Juhyun Nam, Heeyong Lee
  • Patent number: 7933705
    Abstract: A method of controlling a reduction of an amount of fuel supplied to an engine provided to a motor vehicle with an automatic transmission separated from the engine by a torque converter is provided. The method includes the step of sensing commencement of a deceleration state during which an amount of the fuel supplied to the engine is to be reduced to an amount that is less than an amount of fuel being delivered to the engine immediately prior to the deceleration state. Whether synchronization of an engine output shaft and a transmission input shaft is appropriate under the deceleration stat is also to be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Christopher Hopp
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7873459
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle that includes determining a dynamic normal load for the vehicle wheel, modifying the requested torque signal from a traction control system in response to the dynamic normal load to form a modified requested torque and controlling the engine in response to the modified requested torque. The controlling may be performed using the ratio of the dynamic normal load and the steady state normal load to form the modified requested torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Fodor, Davor Hrovat
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7869931
    Abstract: When an engine torque trace is set during acceleration or deceleration, the ratio of increase or decrease in the engine torque per unit time is restricted so that when the engine torque generated during acceleration or deceleration approaches an engine torque (balance torque) at which the engine is oriented upright with respect to the engine mount, the engine torque stays near the balance torque for a prescribed time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Satou, Hitoshi Konno, Mamoru Nemoto
  • Publication number: 20100138130
    Abstract: The tire driving optimization system may include a first tire that is disposed at one side of a vehicle to transmit driving torque from an engine to a road surface, a second tire that is disposed at the other side of the vehicle to transmit driving torque from the engine to a road surface, an accelerator pedal that is operated by a driver so as to control a fuel injection amount that is injected into the engine, and a control portion configured to determine a first consumption energy value that is consumed through the first tire and a second consumption energy value that is consumed through the second tire, and to adjust engine output based on the first consumption energy value and the second consumption energy value if the vehicle is unstable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Juhyun NAM, Heeyong Lee
  • Patent number: 7676315
    Abstract: A vehicle control method for transitioning through transmission lash regions is described using a variety of information, such as, for example, gear ratio, clutch slippage, etc. Further, different adjustment of spark and throttle angle is used to provide a rapid torque response while still reducing effects of the lash. Finally, transitions taking into account both slipping and non-slipping transmissions are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Doering, Brad Riedle, Rob Ciarrochi, Hank Kwong, John Rollinger, Frederick Page, Jeff Travis
  • Publication number: 20090326777
    Abstract: A slip suppression control system for a vehicle includes a monitored value detecting device for detecting a monitored value corresponding to a difference between a rotational speed of a front wheel and a rear wheel, and a traction control unit configured to initiate initial traction control for reducing a driving power of a drive wheel when a threshold determiner unit determines that the monitored value exceeds a first slip threshold and to execute continued traction control such that the driving power is reduced when the threshold determiner unit determines that the monitored value exceeds a second slip threshold smaller than the first slip threshold, while the driving power is increased when the threshold determiner unit determines that the monitored value is smaller than a gripping threshold which is the second slip threshold or smaller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeru Oshima, Tatsuya Hirokami
  • Publication number: 20090326779
    Abstract: A slip suppression control system for a vehicle, includes a controller configured to execute traction control for reducing a driving power of a drive wheel when a predetermined start condition is satisfied, and an ON/OFF input device which is configured to switch between a permission state in which the traction control is enabled and an inhibiting state in which the traction control is disenabled. The controller is configured to restrict switching from the permission state to the inhibiting state, in response to a command for switching from the permission state to the inhibiting state which is input to the ON/OFF input device, when a first condition including a condition that the traction control is being executed is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeru Oshima, Tatsuya Hirokami
  • Publication number: 20090319146
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved traction control system which can be advantageously applied to a vehicle which does not employ a spark ignition engine, such as a vehicle powered by a diesel engine. In an embodiment of the invention, a traction control unit (TCU) and a digital potentiometer are interfaced between the wheel speed sensors and the vehicle ECU. The traction control unit senses wheel, the traction control unit causes the digital potentiometer to decrement the throttle position sensor voltage read by the ECU, which in turn reduces the fuel flow through the fuel injector. The reduction in fuel flow reduces the wheel speed and/or wheel torque thereby allowing the slipping wheels to regain traction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventor: Toby E. Graham
  • Patent number: 7566103
    Abstract: A method for controlling a drive system and/or a wheel braking system, a total braking torque consisting of a drive braking torque and/or a wheel braking torque to be applied to the wheels of a motor vehicle is adjusted such that the desired wheel braking torque is reduced by an amount which can be compensated by a (preferably maximally) possible increase of the drive braking torque, when the wheel braking system is particularly loaded and when the vehicle velocity is approximately constant (steady-state) operating mode. However, the increase of the drive braking torque is limited to a predefined amount (preferably achievable in the fired coasting operation) when the wheel braking system is loaded less highly or the vehicle velocity changes (dynamic operating mode).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Wanner, Andreas Pfeiffer, Emanuel Fuchs, Hubert Schumacher
  • Patent number: 7532966
    Abstract: A torque steer compensation algorithm utilizing selected vehicle parameters, such as for example engine torque, accelerator pedal position, throttle position, transmission gear, and vehicle speed. Rates of change of the parameters are determined and compared to predetermined thresholds, whereby a torque steer factor is determined. The resulting torque steer factor is subsequently multiplied with a conventional, prior art predicted steering assist signal to arrive at a modified steering assist signal which is output to the coil of the steering column to reduce driver perception of torque steer at the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Stacey M. Blundell, Norman Joseph Weigert, Rodney A. D. Jones, Paul S. Shaub
  • Patent number: 7395310
    Abstract: An apparatus for routing a transaction message, such as for example a telephone call, e-mail, web chat request, video conferencing session, or non-call event, includes a queue engine and a transaction message router. The queue engine provides an integrated mechanism for queuing transaction messages of varying transaction types within a number of queues according to transaction type. Each queue within the queue engine may be dedicated to queuing transaction messages of a specific transaction type. The transaction message router functions to identify a queue within the queue engine within which a transaction message is to be stored. The identification of a queue by the router may be performed with reference to the transaction type of a transaction message, and with reference to context or addressing information associated with a transaction message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Aspect Telecommunications Corporation
    Inventors: Scott E. Sikora, Nakul M. Lele, Rajnish Tahiliani, Ben L. Yip, Henry Mingkeung Yeung, Timothy Merrell
  • Patent number: 7313472
    Abstract: A control system performs a method for controlling pitching and bouncing of a vehicle having an engine driving wheels through a transmission, and having a fuel control unit for supplying a variable amount of fuel to the engine in response to fuel control signals generated by an engine control unit. The method includes, from front and rear acceleration signals, generating vehicle pitch and bounce signals, converting the pitch and bounce signals to RMS pitch and bounce values, generating a fuel offset value as a function of the RMS pitch and bounce values, and modifying fuel delivered to the engine as a function of the fuel offset value. The fuel offset value is operate don by a bi-linear gain function wherein negative values are multiplied by a larger gain and positive values are multiplied by a smaller gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Troy Eugene Schick, Boris P. Volfson
  • Patent number: 7305295
    Abstract: A throttle limit control for an internal combustion engine throttle control is disclosed. Rate limiting is applied to prevent excessive rates of change in throttle actuation. Throttle pedal authority is continually maintained and throttle headroom is not compromised thereby. Application to various systems including conventional and adaptive cruise systems and power take-off systems is envisioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Bauerle, Kerfegar K. Katrak, Barbara A. Shuler, Patrick J. O'Leary
  • Patent number: 7236874
    Abstract: In an engine torque loss computing section, a pump loss computing section computes a pump torque loss, and a frictional loss computing section computes a frictional torque loss. The pump torque loss and the frictional torque loss are summed to obtain an engine torque loss. Furthermore, a torque loss correction amount computing section computes a torque loss correction amount, and a correction amount changing section changes the torque loss correction amount based on a result of determination of whether fuel cut-off is currently executed. The torque loss correction amount is added to the uncorrected initial engine torque loss to obtain a corrected engine torque loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Ichihara
  • Patent number: 7024298
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided with an engine (1), an automatic transmission (2) connected to the engine (1), a detection device (21–24, 31) which detects an operating state of the transmission (2), and a torque regulating mechanism (1a, 1b, 1c) which regulates a torque of the engine. When the operating state of the transmission (2) is in a predetermined drive state and the torque of the engine (1) is to be reduced, a selection is made, based on the operating state of the transmission (2), between a first torque reduction control whereby the torque of the engine (1) is reduced rapidly and temporarily, and a second torque reduction control whereby the torque of the engine (1) is reduced continuously, and more smoothly than in the first torque reduction control. The torque of the engine (1) is then reduced by the selected one of the first torque reduction control and the second torque reduction control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Takeshi Oohori, Jihoon Kang, Yasutaka Kawamura, Donggyun Park
  • Patent number: 6959242
    Abstract: A spark ignition engine (2) has a fuel injector (8) in an intake port (7). An engine rotation speed sensor (9) detects the rotation speed of the engine (2). The controller (1) determines the target fuel injection amount of the fuel injector (8) during startup of the engine (2) by correcting the basic injection amount in response to the trend in the variation in the engine rotation speed. When the rotation speed of the engine (2) decreases, the controller (1) sets the target fuel injection amount to be smaller than when the rotation speed of the engine (2) is increasing at an identical rotation speed. As a result, effects on the air-fuel ratio related to wall flow relative to fluctuations in the rotation speed of the engine (2) are eliminated and the control accuracy of the air-fuel ratio of the engine (2) is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Katoh, Ritsuo Sato
  • Patent number: 6934610
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle for generating an appropriate amount of regeneration energy during deceleration. A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle including an engine and electric motor for driving the hybrid vehicle wherein the engine comprises cylinders capable of deactivated operations and the motor executes regenerative braking when the vehicle is decelerating. The control apparatus of the present invention includes a cylinder deactivation determination device for determining whether or not the vehicle speed is appropriate for executing the cylinder deactivated operation, a regeneration amount calculating device for detecting whether the vehicle state is appropriate for regeneration and calculates the amount of regeneration; and further includes a compensation amount calculating device that compensates the amount of regeneration based on an all cylinder deactivated operation and the engine rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruo Wakashiro, Atsushi Matsubara, Shinichi Kitajima, Hideyuki Takahashi, Kan Nakaune, Toshinari Shinohara
  • Patent number: 6882921
    Abstract: A vehicle traction control system is actuated when driven wheel slip (S1) exceeds a predetermined slip threshold (Ts) to reduce the amount of driven wheel slip (S1) by reducing the driven wheel speed. The traction control system also monitors vehicle deceleration. Upon detecting that the vehicle is decelerating and that the vehicle deceleration has exceed a deceleration threshold, the traction control system determines that the vehicle has encountered a deformable surface such as mud or deep snow. Upon detecting entry onto a deformable surface, the slip threshold (Ts) is linearly increased over a period of time to increase the driven wheel speed and thereby allow the wheels to churn through the deformable surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventors: Douglas J. Priemer, Bernard W. Dumm
  • Patent number: 6689015
    Abstract: Method for influencing the propulsive power of a motor vehicle driven by a drive motor. An intervention variable, influencing the torque of the drive motor, is ascertained as a function of the wheel behavior of at least one wheel of the motor vehicle, and/or as a function of the motion of the motor vehicle. The drive motor is acted upon with the intervention variable to limit the propulsive power of the motor vehicle. An easily manipulated, safe, and reliable capability for automatically detecting situations in which the driver desires a greater propulsive power and making a greater propulsive power available in those situations, a motor vehicle with a slip control system is created. Evaluating a pedal variable that describes the actuation of an accelerator pedal of the motor vehicle, or a limitation variable that describes the number of limitations of driver stipulations resulting from the ascertaining of the intervention variable within a definable time window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Schmitt, Tobias Weiss
  • Patent number: 6687591
    Abstract: Torque-down controlling conducted on an engine torque upon gear changing of an automatic transmission is implemented by converting a demand for a rate of torque-down against the engine torque into a down rate of combustion torque (an objective down rate). Further, from a difference between the present ignition timing of the engine and the MBT (Minimum Advance for Best Torque) ignition timing, the present down rate that is a rate of the present combustion torque against the combustion torque at the MBT ignition timing to subsequently multiplying the present down rate by the objective down rate so that a counter MBT down rate that is a down rate of the present combustion torque against the combustion torque at the MBT ignition timing is obtained. Thus, from the obtained counter MBT down rate, an amount of retard of ignition timing from the MBT ignition timing is calculated to implement the torque-down controlling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Abe
  • Patent number: 6687580
    Abstract: A vehicle controller includes a plurality of driving power sources for transmitting torque to a wheel, and a starter for starting a first driving power source of the plurality of diving power sources. The first driving power source is stopped when a prescribed stopping condition is satisfied, and the stopped first driving power source is started by the starter when a prescribed restarting condition is satisfied. When the startability of the first driving power source has been degraded, stopping of the first driving power source is inhibited even when the prescribed stopping condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoto Suzuki, Toshifumi Takaoka, Takashi Suzuki, Makoto Yamazaki