Patents Examined by Edwin A. Young
  • Patent number: 11396942
    Abstract: A shift range control device includes a signal receiver, an abnormality monitor, and a drive controller. The signal receiver acquires an encoder signal from an encoder capable of outputting three or more phase encoder signals having different phases. The abnormality monitor monitors an abnormality of the encoder. The drive controller controls drive of a motor by switching an energized phase of a motor winding so that a rotation position of the motor becomes a target rotation position according to a target shift range. When the abnormality of the encoder is detected, the driver controller drives the motor by faulty phase identification control to identify a faulty phase that is a phase in which an abnormality of the encoder signal occurs, and a normal phase in which the encoder signal is normal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Nagata, Koji Sakaguchi, Jun Yamada, Masahiko Akiyama, Masashi Misawa, Kenshi Masuo
  • Patent number: 11396943
    Abstract: A control device provided in a gear shifting device includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit determines whether an abnormality of the gear shifting device has occurred, performs a fail-safe process of switching the frictional engagement element corresponding to an abnormality to a disengaged state and fixing the gear shift ratio of the gear shifting device when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, determines whether the abnormality has been relieved based on a behavior of an input signal at the time of operating a drive device of the frictional engagement element corresponding to an abnormality on condition that the frictional engagement element is maintained in the disengaged state after it is determined that the abnormality has occurred, and releases the fail-safe process when it is determined that the abnormality has been relieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Koichi Okuda, Kota Fujii, Ken Imamura
  • Patent number: 11391331
    Abstract: A controller executes a method to manage an engine connect/disconnect decision in a powertrain having an engine, transmission, electric machine, and a battery pack and power inverter module (“TPIM”). In response to vehicle ground speed being less than a calibrated maximum electric vehicle accelerator pedal signal (“EVAPS”) level, the controller calculates a delta APS (“?APS”) value by subtracting a scaled APS value from the actual APS level. The scaled APS value is a scaled variant of a maximum EVAPS value selected from a maximum EVSAPS table, the latter populated based on inverter temperature, state of charge of the battery pack, and ground speed. When the ?APS value exceeds a threshold, the controller connects the engine to the transmission via an engine disconnect clutch. The engine is disconnected based on acceleration of the vehicle and the above-noted factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Norman K. Bucknor, Chunhao J. Lee, Neeraj S. Shidore, Dongxu Li, Suresh Gopalakrishnan
  • Patent number: 11383599
    Abstract: A limited slip differential (LSD) is mounted on a driven axle of a vehicle to drive left and right wheels. To control the LSD, a speed of the vehicle is determined. A value of a preload for application to the LSD is also determined. The value of the preload is based on a predicted engine torque and on the speed of the vehicle. A preload is applied to the LSD when the value of the preload is greater than zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Francois-Charles Dumas, Jean-Philippe Houle
  • Patent number: 11384802
    Abstract: A method for determining a kiss point is disclosed. A drive unit having one or more motors with a motor output shaft is provided. One or more actuation profiles are ran and an amount of motor current and motor shaft position data is measured. The data measured is filtered and one or more motor current vs. motor shaft position plots having one or more curves with a high force and high current region are generated. A derivative is calculated over the curves and a slope of the high force and high current region is determined. A relative slope threshold is determined by multiplying the slopes by a predetermined percentage. One or more lines having a slope substantially equal to the relative slope threshold are plotted. The kiss point is determined based on the position of the motor shaft where the derivative of the curves equals the slope of the lines plotted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Stijn Goossens, Ben Goyens
  • Patent number: 11378182
    Abstract: A vehicle controller controls a vehicle including an engine and an automatic transmission. The vehicle controller includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit estimates power generable by the engine based on a condition of the engine and a condition of the automatic transmission in a non-driving range, calculates a load on the automatic transmission in a driving range based on a condition of the automatic transmission in the driving range, determines whether a difference between the power and the load is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold by which an engine stall is identifiable, and limits a gear shift request from the non-driving range to the driving range when the difference is equal to or smaller than the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hayato Yoshikawa, Junichi Inoue, Tatsuya Kaneko
  • Patent number: 11371603
    Abstract: A control device and a transmission system are provided that allow for comfortable traveling with a human-powered vehicle. The control device includes an electronic controller configured to control a transmission to shift a transmission ratio of a human-powered vehicle in accordance with a first shifting condition set based on a first reference value. The electronic controller is configured to shift the transmission ratio of the human-powered vehicle regardless of the first shifting condition upon determining a second shifting condition set based on travel information related to traveling of the human-powered vehicle is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Mitsuhiko Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 11365804
    Abstract: A CVT acceleration control method applied to a CVT-mounted vehicle including an accelerator position sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, a driving pulley rotation sensor and a driven pulley rotation sensor that is configured to detect a rotation speed of a driven pulley and to output a corresponding signal, a CVT operation portion and a controller, the CVT acceleration control method, may include determining, by the controller, whether a current vehicle driving state satisfies a predetermined starting control condition, monitoring, by the controller, a current driving pulley rotation speed change, determining, by the controller, whether the current vehicle driving state satisfies a predetermined trigger condition, setting, by the controller, a target driving pulley rotation speed change, and controlling, by the controller, the operation of the CVT operation portion such that the current driving pulley rotation speed change converges to the target driving pulley rotation speed change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sungjoon Yoon, Ho Young Kim, Kyung Eup Kim, Youngmin Kim
  • Patent number: 11364914
    Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission pressure monitoring system includes a hydrostatic transmission and a pressure sensor data source. The hydrostatic transmission includes, in turn, a transmission casing, a pivoting yoke assembly rotatably mounted in the transmission casing, a hydrostatic pump-motor arrangement containing a hydraulic pump-motor circuit at least partially formed in the pivoting yoke assembly, and a pressure scaling device fluidly coupled to the hydraulic pump-motor circuit. The pressure scaling device is configured to generate a pressure-scaled output signal substantially proportional to a peak circuit pressure within the hydraulic pump-motor circuit. The pressure sensor data source is fluidly coupled to the pressure scaling device and is configured to generate pressure sensor data indicative of the pressure-scaled output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Ross E. Jensen, David G. Reid
  • Patent number: 11352007
    Abstract: A brake/drive force control system includes: a requested acceleration calculating section; a powertrain control section calculating a minimum brake/drive force at the time of no fuel cut and a fuel-cut brake/drive force, generating larger one of a requested brake/drive force and the minimum brake/drive force when the requested brake/drive force is larger than the fuel-cut brake/drive force, and generating the fuel-cut brake/drive force when the requested brake/drive force is equal to or smaller than the fuel-cut brake/drive force; a brake control section generating a requested brake force; and a brake/drive force control section calculating the requested brake/drive force from requested acceleration, requesting the powertrain control section for the requested brake/drive force, acquiring the brake/drive force generated by a powertrain, and when the requested brake/drive force is smaller than the acquired brake/drive force, requesting the brake control section for a difference between the requested brake/drive
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shin Nomura, Yoshihide Nakane, Takeshi Inoguchi, Tomonori Nonami, Makoto Hirose
  • Patent number: 11353069
    Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle includes a first rotating member for rotation about an axis and a second rotating member for rotation about the axis. The first rotating member and the second rotating member are connectable to each other such that the first rotating member and the second rotating member are rotationally locked relative to each other for transferring torque between the first rotating member and the second rotating member. The transmission comprises a sensor arrangement for measuring a relative angular position of the first rotating member and the second rotating member while at least one of the first rotating member and the second rotating member is rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: NINGBO GEELY AUTOMOBILE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CO.
    Inventors: Eva Barrientos Blanco, Henrique Budacs
  • Patent number: 11345216
    Abstract: An automated manual transmission (AMT) shift shock reduction control method may include a compressor delay control that is configured to keep an operation of a compressor as a non-operation state until a delay time is reached during a shift control, when an air conditioner signal and a shift signal are detected by an Engine Management System (EMS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Seong-Bin Jeong
  • Patent number: 11346442
    Abstract: A shift operation determination apparatus includes: an operation member rotatably attached to the vehicle; an operation detection section configured to detect a position of the operation member; a lock mechanism configured to regulate a rotation of the operation member; a braking operation detection section configured to detect a braking operation of the vehicle; a shift determination section configured to determine any one of a plurality of shift ranges including a first range for parking and a second range different from the first range, based on the position of the operation member; and a lock control section configured to cause the lock mechanism to regulate the rotation of the operation member from a first position corresponding to the first range to a second position corresponding to the second range when the braking operation is not detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenichi Harada
  • Patent number: 11338779
    Abstract: A braking force controller causes a first actuator unit to generate a target jerk when the target jerk is equal to or larger than a first jerk, causes the first actuator unit to generate the first jerk and a second actuator unit to generate a jerk obtained by subtracting the first jerk from the target jerk as an additional jerk when the target jerk is smaller than the first jerk and equal to or larger than the sum of the first jerk and a second jerk, and causes the first actuator unit to generate the first jerk and the second actuator unit to generate the second jerk as the additional jerk when the target jerk is smaller than the sum of the first jerk and the second jerk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shun Sato, Kazuki Miyake, Yoshihisa Yamada, Akitsugu Sakai, Kazumitsu Sugano, Hiroya Fujiwara, Hiromasa Takai
  • Patent number: 11338797
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle for anti-rollover through active control of an engine and an anti-rollover control method for the same, may include detecting a roll angle of the vehicle, and when the detected roll angle is equal to or greater than a threshold roll angle, accelerating or decelerating, by a controller, the engine in a state in which the engine clutch is released depending on a direction of the roll angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hui Un Son, Sung Bae Jeon, Jin Kyeom Cho
  • Patent number: 11339838
    Abstract: A control method of a clutch for a vehicle may include determining whether or not learning of clutch characteristics is possible; learning the clutch characteristics when the learning of the clutch characteristics is possible; determining a clutch torque for controlling the clutch in consideration of a change amount in the clutch torque before and after the learning and controlling the clutch by the determined clutch torque; and determining whether or not it is difficult to continue to learn the clutch characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Sung Hyun Cho
  • Patent number: 11333239
    Abstract: A method for actuating a hydraulic system of a transmission comprising a variable displacement hydraulic pump and a pilot-controllable system pressure valve, the method including, in order to determine a pump characteristic curve of the hydraulic pump, initially transferring the hydraulic system into a defined operating condition range in which the volumetric output flow, routed via the system pressure valve and applied at the system pressure valve by the hydraulic pump, is greater or less than a hydraulic fluid flow out of the hydraulic system. The method further includes pilot-controlling the system pressure valve to set a defined pressure level of the system pressure. The method additionally includes reducing or increasing the volumetric output flow while monitoring the system pressure, and determining a volumetric output flow corresponding to the hydraulic fluid flow of the hydraulic system with a certain deviation of a current system pressure from the defined system pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Markus Terwart, Rainer Novak, Frank Riever, Alexander Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 11333241
    Abstract: A shift range control device includes an encoder count unit, an energization control unit, a learning unit, an energization phase count unit, and an abnormality determination unit. The encoder count unit calculates an encoder count value based on an encoder signal. The energization control unit controls energization to the motor. The learning unit learns a wall position that is the encoder count value when an engaging member abuts on the wall portion. The energization phase count unit calculates an energization phase count value that is counted according to switching of the energization phase. The abnormality determination unit determines an abnormality of the encoder based on the energization phase count value and the encoder count value before and after learning the wall position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusaku Kawaguchi, Jun Yamada, Seiji Nakayama
  • Patent number: 11332114
    Abstract: A vehicle control data generation method includes causing processing circuitry to execute an obtaining process that obtains a state of a vehicle and a specifying variable, an operating process that operates an electronic device, a reward calculating process that provides a greater reward when a characteristic of the vehicle meets a standard than when the characteristic does not meet the standard, and an updating process that updates relationship defining data. The update map outputs the updated relationship defining data. The reward calculating process includes a changing process that changes the reward, provided when the characteristic of the vehicle is a predetermined characteristic, such that the reward in a case where torque generated by an internal combustion engine is used to generate the propelling force of the vehicle differs from the reward in a case where the torque is not used to generate the propelling force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yosuke Hashimoto, Akihiro Katayama, Yuta Oshiro, Kazuki Sugie, Naoya Oka
  • Patent number: 11334092
    Abstract: Systems and methods for coordinating and controlling vehicles, for example heavy trucks, to follow closely behind each other, or linking to form a platoon. In one aspect, on-board controllers in each vehicle interact with vehicular sensors to monitor and control, for example, gear ratios on vehicles. A front vehicle can shift a gear which, via a vehicle-to-vehicle communication link, can cause a rear vehicle to shift gears. To maintain a gap, vehicles may shift gears at various relative positions based on a grade of a road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Peloton Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Luckevich, Shad M. Laws, Joshua P. Switkes, Trevor W. Laing, Joseph Jackson Bendor