Patents Examined by Edwin A. Young
  • Patent number: 11648957
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a vehicle are presented. In one example, a controller may respond to a temperature of a catalyst to permit or temporarily inhibit a vehicle from moving. Engine load and engine emissions may be reduced by limiting vehicle motion until a catalyst temperature exceeds a threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rani Kiwan, Chris Paul Glugla
  • Patent number: 11644099
    Abstract: A method of shifting a vehicle transmission including a first clutching device and a second clutching device is described. At least a portion of the first clutching device is coupled with or configured to be coupled with at least a portion of the second clutching device. The method may include the steps of engaging the second clutching device, where engaging the second clutching device includes controlling a state of the second clutching device by changing a state of the first clutching device. A transmission controller and a vehicle driveline are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: DANA BELGIUM N.V.
    Inventors: Arnout R. L. De Mare, Jerome Janssens, Mark M. A. Maessen, Keivan Shariatmadar, Mark R. J. Versteyhe, Thomas J. Vyncke
  • Patent number: 11644096
    Abstract: A diagnosis device determines diagnoses one of primary and secondary board temperature sensors as abnormal, in response to a condition that a state in which a primary temperature sensor value and a secondary temperature sensor value deviate from each other by a predetermined value or more continues for a predetermined duration or more; performs torque limitation to limit a torque inputted from an engine to an automatic transmission, during driving in a predetermined travel section based on a predetermined condition, after the one of the primary and secondary board temperature sensors is diagnosed as abnormal; and performs transmission shift restriction to restrict shifting of the automatic transmission along with the torque limitation, in response to a condition that the one of the primary and secondary board temperature sensors continues to be diagnosed as still abnormal after the driving in the predetermined travel section is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Hamano, Yasunori Murase
  • Patent number: 11639753
    Abstract: A method for hysteresis compensation in an actuator and a selector fork that is adjustable by this actuator and guides a sliding sleeve, by means of a state machine, wherein the selector fork is moved by means of the actuator from a first shift position (xDecoup), namely a neutral position, into at least one second shift position (xCoup), namely a gear position, and vice versa, wherein the position of the actuator (phiAtr, phiCoup, phiDecoup), in the event of a shift request into the neutral position (xDecoup) or into the gear position (xCoup), is corrected on the basis of stored mechanical backlash (phiBL) between the actuator and the selector fork and of a sign (+1, 0, ?1) generated by the state machine and associated with the particular shift request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN GMBH & CO KG
    Inventor: Markus Kohlböck
  • Patent number: 11635136
    Abstract: A method for operating a power shiftable transmission of a motor vehicle, the transmission including a control unit, an input shaft, an output shaft, a gear set, and multiple shift elements, the method including transmitting, with the control unit, a request for a reduction of a drive torque acting on the input shaft for carrying out an upshift, and determining, with the control unit, whether the reduction is completely possible, partially possible, or impossible based on a signal. When the reduction is completely possible, the method includes controlling, with the control unit, a torque transmission rate of a shift element of the multiple shift elements to be engaged during the upshift according to a first way. When the reduction is partially possible or impossible, the method includes controlling, with the control unit, the torque transmission rate according to a second way, the second way differing from the first way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Felix Bühle, Frank Deprez
  • Patent number: 11628842
    Abstract: In a vehicle drive device, a second power source is connected to a first rotating element of a differential mechanism, and the other output shaft of a first output shaft and a second output shaft is connected to a third rotating element so as to be disconnectable and connectable by a disconnection-connection mechanism. A control device places the disconnection-connection mechanism in a disconnected state. When a second traveling mode in which the third rotating element is fixed to a fixing member through engagement of an engaging element is switched to a first traveling mode in which the disconnection-connection mechanism is placed in a connected state, the control device disengages the engaging element, executes synchronous control in which rotational speeds of the other output shaft and the third rotating element are synchronized by a second power source, and switches the disconnection-connection mechanism from the disconnected state to the connected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Koichi Okuda, Koji Takaira, Akinori Homan, Yosuke Akiyama, Akira Ijichi, Kunihiko Usui
  • Patent number: 11629481
    Abstract: A work machine includes an engine, a travel drive system, a work implement, an apparatus drive system with a hydraulic pump, an accelerator operating member, a work implement operating member, and a controller. The controller controls the apparatus drive system in accordance with an operating amount of the work implement operating member. The controller determines a target tractive force of the travel drive system based on an operating amount of the accelerator operating member. The controller determines an allowable acceleration of the work machine. The controller determines an upper limit of tractive force of the travel drive system based on the allowable acceleration. The controller corrects the target tractive force so as to be equal to or less than the upper limit when the target tractive force is greater than the upper limit. The controller controls the travel drive system based on the corrected target tractive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Yuita Takenaka, Kenichi Yamada
  • Patent number: 11628822
    Abstract: A control system for a work vehicle includes a power source including an engine and at least one electric motor configured to generate power; a transmission including a plurality of clutches coupled together and configured for selective engagement to transfer the power from the engine and the at least one electric motor along a power flow path to drive an output shaft of a powertrain according to a plurality of transmission modes; and a controller coupled to the power source and the transmission. The controller has a processor and memory architecture configured to: monitor an electric motor speed of the at least one electric motor; and generate and execute, when the electric motor speed is less than a first predetermined stall speed threshold, a clutch modulation command for the transmission such that at least one clutch of the plurality of clutches along the power flow path is partially engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Kyle K. McKinzie, Clayton G. Janasek
  • Patent number: 11623514
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control device for controlling an engine driven transport apparatus. The control device comprises a fitness apparatus having a base part and at least one movable part movable with respect to the base part for enabling a user to perform a physical exercise. The control device further comprises a sensor device for sensing a degree of physical exercise. The control device is arranged for controlling engine power of an engine of the transport apparatus at least partly based on the sensed degree of physical exercise. The fitness apparatus comprises a flywheel rotatably connected to the base part. The fitness apparatus is arranged for setting the flywheel into motion by means of at least one of the one or multiple movable parts. The sensor device is arranged to sense the degree of performed physical exercise at least partly by sensing a degree of motion of the flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Rassmal Investments LLC
    Inventor: Nasser Abdulmoeen Al Shawaf
  • Patent number: 11618457
    Abstract: A method of controlling the vehicle may include predicting, by a controller, a braking situation of the vehicle; performing, by the controller, brake distribution control of front and rear wheels of the vehicle in a response to a predicted sudden braking of the vehicle at a predetermined level; and performing, by the controller, independent braking control of the rear wheels of the vehicle in a response to a predicted general braking of the vehicle at the predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Hyunwoo Shin
  • Patent number: 11614164
    Abstract: An apparatus of controlling a pulley of a continuously variable transmission and a method therefore is provided. The apparatus includes a non-transitory storage configured for storing a deep learning model, learning of which is completed and a controller that predicts a vehicle speed and an accelerator position sensor (APS) value for each future time point based on the deep learning model and controls the pulley of the continuously variable transmission based on a pulley ratio for each future time point, the pulley ratio corresponding to the predicted vehicle speed and the predicted APS value, thus preventing a reverse control phenomenon of the pulley ratio and increasing a tension of the belt in the continuously variable transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Dong Hoon Jeong, Byeong Wook Jeon, Yong Uk Shin, Min Jae Chai
  • Patent number: 11614162
    Abstract: A method of controlling an electric oil pump (EOP) of a vehicle includes: confirming a gear shift type when a gear shift of a vehicle is started; compensating for the number of revolutions of the EOP according to the confirmed gear shift type; confirming whether a measured line pressure converges on a command line pressure while the compensating for the number of revolutions of the EOP according to the gear shift type is performed; and, when it is determined that the measured line pressure does not converge on the command line pressure, additionally compensating for the number of revolutions of the EOP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bong Uk Bae, Se Hwan Jo, Seong Min Son, Ki Bum Kim, Jin Young Hwang, Kyung Moo Lee
  • Patent number: 11603097
    Abstract: A platooning control apparatus may include a processor configured to detect the occurrence of acceleration and shifting of a vehicle in front of a host vehicle based on information received from the vehicle in front during platooning, and to set a feedforward control input value of a host vehicle to zero for controlling an inter-vehicle distance with the vehicle in front in a section in which the acceleration and the shifting of the vehicle in front occurs; and a storage configured to store data and algorithms driven by the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Chanhwa Lee
  • Patent number: 11597472
    Abstract: A control device of a gear transmission-equipped vehicle includes a power controller that starts power reduction control when it is determined that a start condition is satisfied, the power reduction control being control of reducing power transmitted from a driving source to a gear transmission. The start condition includes: a condition that a detection value of a gear position sensor that detects a current gear position of the gear transmission falls within a transition region between engagement regions corresponding to respective gear positions; and a condition that a speed difference obtained by subtracting a rotational speed of an output shaft of the gear transmission from a rotational speed of an input shaft of the gear transmission is a threshold or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Kengo Ueda, Hiroyuki Watanabe, Kazuki Arima
  • Patent number: 11598414
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method of controlling gear shifting in response to a driving mode change, the method including determining a maximum number of allowable low-level gear-shifting steps according to a result of determining a state of a transmission, computing an immediate post-gear-shifting expected speed of a turbine for each step included that is within the maximum number of allowable low-level gear-shifting steps, using a current speed of an output shaft of the transmission and a gear ratio of each step and comparing the computed expected speed of the turbine with a preset allowable speed thereof for each step, setting the lowest-level gear-shifting step, among gear-shifting steps at which the expected speed of the turbine and the allowable speed thereof satisfy a predetermined condition, is set to be a target gear-shifting step, and executing gear-shifting control for shifting a current gear-shifting step down to the target gear-shifting step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Hyundai Kefico Corporation
    Inventor: Hyeong-Tak Lee
  • Patent number: 11592104
    Abstract: A system includes a driveline, a user interface, and a control system. The driveline includes an engine, a transmission, and a clutch positioned to selectively couple the engine to the transmission. The user interface is configured to facilitate operator shifting of the transmission. The control system is configured to perform a transmission auto-shift procedure where the control system monitors engine speed of the engine for a period of time following completion of a downshift event with the transmission from a first, higher gear to a second, lower gear, compares the engine speed to at least one speed threshold, and automatically upshifts the transmission from the second, lower gear back to the first, higher gear (i) following expiration of the period of time and/or (ii) in response to the engine speed exceeding the at least one speed threshold during the period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Pawel Kuros, Kenneth Scott Hedderman, Alek Czernobil, Garth H. Bulgrien
  • Patent number: 11585437
    Abstract: Vehicles and related systems and methods are provided for round-robin air purging of disengaged clutches. One method involves obtaining a plurality of weighting factors associated with respective ones of a plurality of clutches of a vehicle transmission, obtaining an exhaustion time associated with each respective clutch, determining a respective priority metric associated with the each respective clutch based at least in part on the exhaustion time associated with the respective clutch and the respective weighting factor associated with the respective clutch, determining a highest priority clutch of the plurality of clutches based at least in part on the respective priority metrics associated with the respective clutches of the plurality of clutches, and operating one or more valves in accordance with a pulse command to pulse the highest priority clutch with a commanded pressure for a commanded period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: John Robert Martyka, Bryan John Williams
  • Patent number: 11584318
    Abstract: A method for managing electrical Key Off Load (KOL) and other potentially damaging operational conditions in a vehicle while in a neutral mode setting, comprising: determining a vehicle drivetrain is in the neutral mode setting; determining an operational characteristic that changes with time while the vehicle is in the neutral mode setting; performing, via a vehicle control module and based on the neutral mode setting and the operational characteristic, vehicle actions comprising engaging an automated start powertrain activation while the vehicle is in the neutral mode setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Holub, John Van Wiemeersch, Todd Ansbacher, Ronald Fitzgerald, Adam Stratton
  • Patent number: 11585395
    Abstract: This transmission device includes a mode changeover switch (59) on which a mode changeover operation between a manual mode (M2) and an automated mode (M1) is externally performed, other operation unit (80) on which a predetermined shift operation is externally performed separately from the mode changeover switch (59), and a control unit (60) configured to control a mode changeover between the manual mode (M2) and the automated mode (M1). The control unit (60) executes the mode changeover between the manual mode (M2) and the automated mode (M1) on the basis of the mode changeover operation on the mode changeover switch (59). When the shift operation on the other operation unit (80) has been performed, the control unit (60) executes the mode changeover between the manual mode (M2) and the automated mode (M1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junichiro Kano, Tatsuya Ryuzaki, Junya Ono, Yoshiaki Nedachi, Go Morita
  • Patent number: 11580862
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes an engine controller operable to determine a requested engine torque in response to a cruise control set command and a cruise control offset value, determine an engine torque command in response to the requested engine torque and a torque limit, and control operation of an engine in response to the engine torque command. The control system also includes a platooning controller operable to determine and provide to the engine controller the cruise control set command, the cruise control offset value and the torque limit effective to cause the engine controller to control the engine to provide a desired following distance between the vehicle and a second vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek Anand Sujan, Christine L. Hilmer, Ethan Charles Seifer, Howard Robert Frost