Patents Examined by Edwin Young
  • Patent number: 11946515
    Abstract: A method for determining, in real-time, an electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) clutch torque includes receiving vehicle data in real-time, wherein the vehicle data includes a torque request, determining a preliminary eLSD clutch torque using a neural network and the vehicle data, determining clutch torque bounds of the eLSD using a physics-based model, determining whether the preliminary eLSD clutch torque is outside the clutch torque bounds of the eLSD, adjusting the preliminary eLSD clutch torque using clutch torque bounds to determine a final clutch torque of the eLSD in response to determining that the preliminary eLSD clutch torque is outside the clutch torque bounds of the eLSD, and commanding, in real-time, the eLSD to apply the final clutch torque to a clutch of the eLSD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Arash Hashemi, Sresht Gurumoorthi Annadevara, Naser Mehrabi, SeyedAlireza Kasaiezadeh Mahabadi, Lapo Frascati
  • Patent number: 11945303
    Abstract: A method includes switching a vehicle to a 4WD state by connecting a disconnector, maintaining the disconnector in the connected state for a predetermined maintenance time, determining whether a condition to be switched to a 2WD state is satisfied when the predetermined maintenance time period elapses, and disconnecting the disconnector when the condition to be switched to the 2WD state is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chan Hee Won, Tae Wook Park, Young Joon Chang
  • Patent number: 11946542
    Abstract: A system and method for operating an electric vehicle. In another exemplary embodiment, a system for operating an electric vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a first motor and a transmission coupled to the first motor. The transmission is configured to shift gears when a speed of the electric vehicle crosses a shift threshold. The shift threshold is independent of a position of an acceleration pedal of the electrical vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Dongxu Li, Chunhao J. Lee, Thomas Weglarz, Su-Yang Shieh, Paul Guillermo Otanez
  • Patent number: 11940045
    Abstract: In a power transmission apparatus for a vehicle, in event of detection of an anomaly with a possibility of an ON failure of a lockup hydraulic control valve, a fail safe mode is established by placing a first switching valve and a third switching valve in respective predetermined connection states, and placing a failure switching valve in a predetermined connection state based on an output of the lockup hydraulic control valve, whereby a lockup clutch is held in its released state, and a forward-driving engagement device is engaged by a control pressure of a second hydraulic control valve, for thereby enabling a forward driving of the vehicle. Upon selection of a neutral range in the event of the detection of the anomaly, an output of the lockup hydraulic control valve and an output of the second hydraulic control valve are stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Jun Amano
  • Patent number: 11938842
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain having an electric machine configured to power driven wheels, an accelerator pedal, and friction brakes. A vehicle controller is programmed to, with the vehicle being in a one-pedal driving mode: in response to a braking torque capacity of the powertrain exceeding a target braking torque that is based on a position of the accelerator pedal, command a torque, that is equal to the target braking torque, from the powertrain such that the vehicle is slowed using the powertrain without application of the friction brakes, and, in response to the braking torque capacity of the powertrain being less than the target braking torque, command torques from the powertrain and the friction brakes such that the target braking torque is satisfied and the vehicle is slowed using the powertrain and the friction brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Scott Crombez, Bryan Michael Bolger, Alexander McCollough, Sergey Gennadievich Semenov, Brandon Jay Woodland
  • Patent number: 11932230
    Abstract: A motor vehicle for operation by a driver has a frame with wheels and a motor connected to the frame. A steering control is connected to the wheels to establish a steering angle. A controller is operably connected to the steering control, to the motor, and to the wheels, and is operable to selectably drive the wheels in a forward direction in a drive mode and in a rearward direction in a reverse mode. The controller is operable to select a direction for driving the wheels in response to a pattern of steering angle movements, without operator indication of a direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Inventor: Bennet Langlotz
  • Patent number: 11932118
    Abstract: The electric vehicle according to the present disclosure calculates motor torque using an MT vehicle model simulating an MT vehicle having a manual transmission and an internal combustion engine. In the first operation mode, an operation amount of a pseudo-clutch pedal and a shift position of a pseudo-gearshift are input to the MT vehicle model to reflect operation of the pseudo-clutch pedal and operation of the pseudo-gearshift in electric motor control. In the second operation mode where the operation of the pseudo-clutch pedal is not needed, an operation amount of a clutch pedal calculated by a driver model is input to the MT vehicle model instead of the operation amount of the pseudo-clutch pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akiko Nishimine, Yoichiro Isami, Yoshio Itou, Hiroyuki Amano, Tatsuya Imamura, Hiroaki Ebuchi, Hiroaki Kodera
  • Patent number: 11933395
    Abstract: Techniques for controlling an automatic transmission of a vehicle include receiving a set of operating parameters each relating to a rock cycling maneuver of the vehicle, the rock cycling maneuver comprising a plurality of consecutive garage shifts of the transmission, determining whether the set of operating parameters satisfy a set of entry or exit criteria to/from a rock cycling mode of the transmission and enter/exit the rock cycling mode based on the determination, while not in the rock cycling mode, controlling the transmission based on a first set of calibrations for the transmission, the first set of calibrations being optimized for normal garage shifts of the transmission, and while in the rock cycling mode, controlling the transmission based on a different second set of calibrations for the transmission, the second set of calibrations being optimized for the rock cycling maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Corey A Allard, Joshua J Rohrer, Dean Baker
  • Patent number: 11926220
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission for a vehicle includes a transmission input shaft extending in a transverse direction, at least one countershaft arranged parallel to the transmission input shaft, a clutch device arranged coaxially with respect to the transmission input shaft and which has at least one clutch, and a differential having a differential input gear. A rotational axis of the differential input gear is arranged parallel to the transmission input shaft. The transmission also includes an electric machine having a rotor with a rotor rotational axis arranged parallel to the transmission input shaft and a transmission control device. As viewed in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the transverse direction, the differential input gear, the transmission input shaft, and a transmission controller including the transmission control device are arranged in succession in the sequence specified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG
    Inventors: Martin Dengler, Benjamin Bauer, Jan Becker, Markus Brandenburg, Andreas Ertel, Peter Hahn, Tobias Haerter, Elmar Mueller, Jörg Weigold, Timo Maurer, Preetam Birje
  • Patent number: 11921520
    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: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Peloton Technology, Inc
    Inventors: Mark S. Luckevich, Shad M. Laws, Joshua P. Switkes, Trevor W. Laing, Joseph Jackson Bendor
  • Patent number: 11904683
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method for setting a cruising mode of a vehicle, wherein a human/machine interface is arranged on a steering wheel of the vehicle for shifting a transmission of the vehicle, this human/machine interface comprising at least one first and at least one second switch segment and at least one switch, wherein the switch segments are arranged on the at least one switch, and in the event that the at least one first and the at least one second switch segment of the at least one switch are activated at the same time the cruising mode is set for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Walter Prochazka
  • Patent number: 11906018
    Abstract: A continuous variable planetary (CVP) system includes a CVP hub, which includes a shift mechanism including a shift driver element, and a processing server system to calibrate the CVP system and detect errors within the CVP system. The processing server system performs continuously monitoring or obtaining a transmission speed ratio of the CVP hub. Upon detecting that the transmission speed ratio reaches a particular value, the processing server system records a corresponding position of the shift driver. The processing server system calibrates the CVP system based on the particular value, the corresponding position, and a known relationship between transmission speed ratios and positions of the shift mechanism. The processing server system determines or verifies a full underdrive (FUD) position by iteratively reducing a transmission speed ratio from the particular value until an onset of a backlash condition is detected and determines or verifies a full overdrive (FOD) position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC
    Inventors: Marko Matenda, Brad Pohl
  • Patent number: 11906023
    Abstract: A gear reducer with a first center sprocket having a first number of teeth and second center sprocket having a second number of teeth are mechanically coupled by a rotor including a plurality of sprockets, wherein minimal inertial mass is overcome while changing the direction of a driven sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Herbert Thomas Baumgartner
  • Patent number: 11898632
    Abstract: A shift level selection device comprising: a setting unit that sets a selection range in which the lowest speed shift level is a first shift level used in a set-off shift level among two or more shift levels; and a changing unit that, in accordance with the first shift level used in the set-off shift level, changes the selection range so that the lowest speed shift level is a second shift level, which is a lower speed than the first shift level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Atsushi Uchino, Yoshitaka Kanda, Susumu Tsunoda
  • Patent number: 11898328
    Abstract: A control method for a work vehicle, includes: calculating a speed ratio indicating a ratio between a rotation speed of an input shaft connected to an engine and a rotation speed of an output shaft connected to a traveling device; and outputting a capacity command for changing at least one of a capacity of a first hydraulic pump motor and a capacity of a second hydraulic pump motor based on correlation data indicating a relationship between the speed ratio and the capacities of the first and second hydraulic pump motors, wherein the correlation data is set so that both the capacity of the first hydraulic pump motor and the capacity of the second hydraulic pump motor are changed with a change in the speed ratio in a predetermined speed ratio range between a first speed ratio and a second speed ratio higher than the first speed ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Shogo Miyazaki, Akira Takeno
  • Patent number: 11892075
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining a position of a motor vehicle by means of a location device of the motor vehicle. First, a first position (x1) related to an installation point of the location device in the motor vehicle is determined. In order to determine a position suitable for controlling the motor vehicle, with reference to the said first position (x1) a second position (x2) related to a center of gravity of the vehicle is determined, in that the first position (x1) is offset by a distance (a) between the said installation point of the location device and the center of gravity of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Rachid Mansour, Thomas Ascher, Freddy Josef Frombach, Maik Würthner, Robert Gronner
  • Patent number: 11885398
    Abstract: A transmission (21) as a power transmission device for a vehicle comprises an input shaft (22), an output shaft (23), a planetary continuously variable transmission mechanism (31), a direct connecting mechanism (27), and an idler gear (29). The direct connecting mechanism (27) comprises a direct connecting clutch (30). The planetary continuously variable transmission mechanism (31) comprises a planetary gear mechanism (32), a pump side clutch (33), a hydraulic pump (36), a hydraulic motor (38), and a motor side clutch (40). The hydraulic pump (36) and the hydraulic motor (38) are connected via a pair of main lines (37A, 37B). An electromagnetic on-off valve (41) capable of switching between a communicating state and a blocking state between the pair of main lines (37A, 37B) is provided between the pair of main lines (37A, 37B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Nakagaki, Takuma Koinuma
  • Patent number: 11884149
    Abstract: A rear mount power take-off for a transmission includes a housing assembly configured to be mounted in an opening in the transmission. A power take-off shaft includes an externally splined end extending into an opening in the housing assembly and is configured to be driven by a component of the transmission. A guide sleeve is received in the housing assembly and includes an exterior shoulder opposing an interior retaining shoulder of the housing assembly, the guide sleeve further including an interior shoulder. A spring biases the guide sleeve against the interior retaining shoulder of the housing assembly. A coupler sleeve is secured to an interior of the guide sleeve and includes a first internal spline for selective engagement with the externally splined end of the power take-off input shaft and a second internal spline configured to engage a power take-off device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Eaton Cummins Automated Transmission Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Graeme Andrew Jackson
  • Patent number: 11879533
    Abstract: A differential device is provided with: a casing rotatable about an axis; a differential gear set including a pair of side gears housed in the casing and rotatable about the axis, a pinion shaft penetrating perpendicular to the axis and being secured to the casing; and pinion gears rotatably supported by the pinion shaft and so meshed with the side gears as to enable differential motion between the side gears; friction clutches interposed between the side gears and an inner periphery of the casing to limit the differential motion; a pair of repulsive bodies respectively applying force in directions along the axis to the friction clutches; and a block in contact with and supporting in the directions along the axis both the repulsive bodies, the block so fitting on the pinion shaft as to impose reaction forces from the friction clutches on the pinion shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Isao Hirota, Manabu Endou, Masato Horiguchi
  • Patent number: 11873892
    Abstract: A method and a system for controlling a gear of the two-speed gearbox and a vehicle is provided. The method for controlling a gear of a two-speed gearbox includes: determining a first target gear of the gearbox reflecting a current driving demand of a user according to a current vehicle-speed; and performing a gear intervention control of the gearbox based on at least one of the following aspects: position information of a drive gear-lever, a rotation-speed of a drive motor of a vehicle, and gear fault information of the gearbox, to shift the first target gear of the gearbox to a second target gear of the gearbox that matches with real-time operation conditions of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: GREAT WALL MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Likang Wei, Yadan Li, Chaojie Huang, Peng Luo, Hongpeng Wang