Patents Examined by Huan Le
  • Patent number: 10683932
    Abstract: Provided is a hydraulic oil control device having a shifting control unit configured to, in a case where, when upshifting is performed, a number of revolutions of an input shaft connected to a to-be-engaged clutch is higher than a number of revolutions of the engine, or a case where, when downshifting is performed, the number of revolutions of the input shaft is lower than the number of revolutions of the engine, supply the to-be-engaged clutch with a hydraulic oil having a pressure equal to or higher than a predetermined standby pressure, and then to supply the to-be-engaged clutch with the hydraulic oil having the standby pressure, and then configured to cause the to-be-engaged clutch to be engaged by supplying the to-be-engaged clutch with the hydraulic oil having a pressure higher than the standby pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventor: Tomoaki Shimozawa
  • Patent number: 10668801
    Abstract: A powertrain (12) for a vehicle (10) is disclosed. The powertrain (12) comprises: a combustion engine (24), (ii) a drivetrain (14) having a torque converter (32) with a first state of operation in which the input (34) of the torque converter (32) is locked to the output (36) of the torque converter (32) and a second state of operation in which the input (34) of the torque converter (32) is not locked to the output (36) of the torque converter (32) for allowing slippage. The drivetrain also has a final drive (44) for supplying torque to the drive wheel (16) from the torque converter (32), wherein the final drive (44) is coupled to the torque converter (32) at a fixed gear ratio. The powertrain (12) further comprises: (iii) a first electric motor (28) configured to supply torque to the drivetrain (14) on the output-side of the torque converter (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: ALPRAAZ AB
    Inventor: Christian von Koenigsegg
  • Patent number: 10663059
    Abstract: An automatic transmission controller includes a solenoid drive controller that performs a current feedback control to one or more of a plurality of solenoids that correspond to a plurality of gear positions for shifting to one of the plurality of gear positions in a transmission mechanism. From among all the solenoids, the solenoid drive controller distinguishes one or more target solenoids to operate to shift from a current gear position to a post-change gear position, and changes a current feedback cycle of the target solenoid(s) for performing the current feedback control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiro Shirai
  • Patent number: 10655709
    Abstract: A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include an input shaft configured to receive power, an output shaft configured to output power; a first planetary gear set including first, second, and third rotation elements; a second planetary gear set including fourth, fifth, and sixth rotation elements; a third planetary gear set including seventh, eighth, and ninth rotation elements; a fourth planetary gear set including tenth, eleventh, and twelfth rotation elements; a fifth planetary gear set including thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth rotation elements; and first to ninth shafts connecting the rotation elements of the first to fifth planetary gear sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Ho Kim, Jae Joon Lee, Jong Sool Park, Kyeong Hun Lee, Jong Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 10641372
    Abstract: A gearbox assembly that includes a system of stacked planetary gearsets; a clutch device including an input clutch shaft and an output clutch shaft; a large clutch wheel and a small clutch wheel mounted idle on the output clutch shaft; a clutch coupling device for coupling the small and large wheels with the output clutch shaft; an output shaft including a small output wheel meshing with the large clutch wheel and a large output wheel meshing with the small clutch wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: GROUPEMENT INTERNATIONAL DE MECANIQUE AGRICOLE
    Inventors: Pascal Ladriere, Didier Folliot, Oscar Cuevas Melo
  • Patent number: 10641360
    Abstract: A planetary gear train may include: an input shaft; an output shaft; a first planetary gear set including first, second, and third rotation elements; a second planetary gear set including fourth, fifth, and sixth rotation elements; a third planetary gear set including seventh, eighth, and ninth rotation elements; a fourth planetary gear set including tenth, eleventh, and twelfth rotation elements; four clutches, each selectively connecting at least one of the first to twelfth rotation elements to another rotation element or the input shaft; and two brakes, each selectively connectable at least one of the first to twelfth rotation elements to a transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ilhan Yoo, Seongwook Ji, Juhyeon Park, Hyun Sik Kwon, Seong Wook Hwang, Ki Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 10634196
    Abstract: A double clutch apparatus for a hybrid electric vehicle for transmitting torques of an engine and a motor to first and second input shafts includes two clutches formed in a volume between the rotor and the two coaxial input shafts, two slave cylinders operating the two clutches, an engine clutch shaft coaxially disposed between the two input shafts and an engine output shaft and connected to the rotor, an engine clutch disposed between the engine output shaft and the engine clutch shaft, and a third slave cylinder operating the engine clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Euihee Jeong, In Tae Park, Jong Min Kim, Jinwoo Lee
  • Patent number: 10626951
    Abstract: An isolator assembly includes a clutch configured to operate in a full locked condition and a slip condition. Additionally, the isolator assembly includes a damper and a centrifugal pendulum absorber (CPA). The damper is configured to reduce oscillation when the clutch is in one of the full locked condition and the slip condition. The damper includes a blade that is biasable. The CPA is coupled to the damper and configured to reduce oscillation when the clutch is in one of the full locked condition and the slip condition. A vehicle includes an engine and a transmission. The engine includes an output shaft and the transmission includes an input member. The vehicle includes the isolator assembly operable between the output shaft and the input member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, Derek F. Lahr, Dongxu Li
  • Patent number: 10619736
    Abstract: An apparatus for learning gear ratio control of a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) may include: an APS (Acceleration Position Sensor) configured to detect a change of an accelerator pedal in a CVT vehicle; a gear ratio detector configured to detect a pulley gear ratio of the CVT; a timer configured to measure the time during which gear ratio control learning is performed during power-off up-shift of the CVT; and a controller configured to receive the values detected through the APS, the gear ratio detector and the timer, and control the CVT to shift gears at a target gear ratio learned through the gear ratio control learning, during the power-off up-shift by coasting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Hyundai Autron Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun-Hyung Lee
  • Patent number: 10618517
    Abstract: A system and method for minimizing shift cycling for low speed engine operation with a vehicle cruise control. A vehicle control system operating in a cruise control mode determines a deficiency in vehicle speed between a measured vehicle speed and a cruise set speed. The deficiency is determined by comparing the vehicle speed to the cruise set speed, and includes using the compared value to find a cruise speed margin, which is continuously updated. While the cruise control system is active, the control system logic determines the time at which a transmission upshift occurs based on the cruise speed margin. The vehicle speed, at which the upshift is made, is determined as a function of the updated cruise speed margin. An upshift is not made, if a likely drop in vehicle speed would result in the event a downshift would occur once the upshift is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.
    Inventor: Stephen West
  • Patent number: 10612636
    Abstract: A torque converter incorporating a case having a rotation axis; an impeller within the case, the impeller being mounted for co-rotation with the case; a turbine mounted within the case for rotation with respect to the case; radially inner and outer walls within the case, the walls defining an annulus having axial and oppositely-axial ends, the walls being mounted for co-rotation with the case or the walls being mounted for co-rotation with the turbine; a piston slidably received within the annulus; a plurality of race and roller combinations mounted at the annulus's oppositely axial end, the race and roller combinations being adapted for centrifugally driving and for axially pressing their rollers against the piston; and a friction surface within the case, the friction surface being positioned for, upon the axial pressings of the rollers against the piston, frictionally engaging and resisting rotation of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Inventor: Martin W. Chance
  • Patent number: 10598280
    Abstract: An actuation unit has a primary motor and a transmission mechanism for transmitting motion generated by the primary motor to a control member. The transmission mechanism includes a first transmission member connected to a drive shaft of the primary motor, a second transmission member drivingly connected to the control member, and a coupling member shiftable between an engagement position and a disengagement position. The transmission mechanism further includes a first elastic member interposed between the first transmission member and the second transmission member to cause rotation of the second transmission member relative to the first transmission member when the coupling member is in the disengagement position, a second elastic member for elastically urging the coupling member towards the engagement position, and an auxiliary actuation device for shifting the coupling member from the engagement position to the disengagement position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Dana Graziano S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giorgio Scalici
  • Patent number: 10591002
    Abstract: Rotary damper (15), comprising a casing (17), an intermediate element (31) mounted movably on the casing (17), a braking fluid provided between the casing (17) and the intermediate element (31) so as to brake the movement of the intermediate element (31) relative to the casing (17), a rotor (50) mounted on the intermediate element (31) rotatably about an axis of rotation (x), and a unidirectional coupling arranged between the intermediate element (31) and the rotor (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: CULTRARO AUTOMAZIONE ENGINEERING S.R.L.
    Inventor: Paolo Cultraro
  • Patent number: 10589744
    Abstract: A shifting control method for a vehicle with a dual clutch transmission (DCT), the shifting control method may include controlling engine torque to be increased according to reserve demand torque by giving the reserve demand torque of an engine to be increased to a predetermined value or more when if a controller determines that the vehicle enters a manual power off and downshift shifting; controlling, by the controller, a release side clutch to be released; controlling, by the controller, an engine torque to perform a control so that engine speed follows coupling side input shaft speed; and completing the shifting by performing a control so that a coupling side clutch is coupled when it is determined that the actual shift is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Compnay, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventor: Sung Hyun Cho
  • Patent number: 10578210
    Abstract: A gear change control system includes: a shift operation member configured to receive a shift range operation; a clutch configured to transmit a torque of an input shaft to an output shaft; a clutch actuator configured to control engagement of the clutch by using a working fluid; a manual valve configured to switch a supply destination of the working fluid to the clutch actuator in accordance with a decided shift range; a shift actuator configured to move the manual valve on the basis of a shift range changing operation of the shift operation member; and an oil pressure control actuator configured to reduce an oil pressure of the working fluid to a target oil pressure after the shift range changing operation received by the shift operation member is started and before the shift actuator moves the manual valve toward a shift range changing destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Subaru Corporation
    Inventor: Koichi Hirao
  • Patent number: 10578172
    Abstract: A viscous clutch includes an input member, an output member, a working chamber, a reservoir to hold a supply of a shear fluid, an outlet, a return bore, an accumulator, and a first wall having an arcuate segment. The reservoir is connected to the working chamber by a fluid circuit, along which the outlet passes the shear fluid from the reservoir to the working chamber and the return bore returns the shear fluid pumped out of the working chamber to the accumulator. The accumulator is arranged in series with the reservoir in the fluid circuit. The first wall is positioned within the reservoir to separate a first portion from a second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: HORTON, INC.
    Inventors: David R. Hennessy, Michael Stevens
  • Patent number: 10569637
    Abstract: A drive system for a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine includes an electric motor and a clutch device which has a frictional locking element and a positive locking element that is connected parallel to the frictional locking element. The clutch device is configured to couple the internal combustion engine into the drive system and to be switched into at least the following states: a) open positive locking element and closed frictional locking element when starting and/or synchronization of the internal combustion engine, b) closed positive locking element and closed frictional locking element or closed positive locking element and open frictional locking element when the internal combustion engine is running and synchronized such that an internal combustion engine drive output action is generated, and c) open positive locking element and open frictional locking element when the internal combustion engine is stopped such that purely electric motor drive of the vehicle is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dirk Aringsmann, Daniel Mooz, Klaus Kalmbach
  • Patent number: 10563706
    Abstract: Provided is a hydraulic power transmission device enabling to minimize a pressure loss in an oil passage downstream from a piston chamber of a hydraulic clutch, and to properly prevent reduction in transmission torque capacity in the hydraulic clutch. Left and right pressure regulating valves (8L, 8R) regulating pressure of oil flowing out from piston chambers (59L, 59R) of left and right clutch devices (5L, 5R) are arranged adjacent to a downstream of the piston chamber (59). This can shorten an oil passage from the piston chamber (59) to the pressure regulating valve (8) and minimize pressure loss in the oil passage. Due to better flexibility of arrangement of the pressing load receiving member (82) receiving a pressing force (thrust) of the piston member (57), thrust efficiency of the hydraulic piston (57) improves to properly prevent reduction in transmission torque capacity in the hydraulic clutch (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Niwata, Eisuke Hosoda, Satoshi Imamori, Tetsuya Otani
  • Patent number: 10563710
    Abstract: A selectable one-way clutch includes a pocket plate having accommodating recessed portions; engaging pieces accommodated in the accommodating recessed portions; a notch plate relatively rotatable with respect to the pocket plate, and having engaging recessed portions; and a selector plate between the pocket plate and the notch plate, including window holes and switches a state where the engaging pieces pass through the window holes and rise, and a state where the engaging pieces are accommodated in the accommodating recessed portions. Further, the engaging pieces include groove portions formed in centers of the selectable one-way clutch, the selector plate includes protruding portions protruding from inner surface of the window holes, and the protruding portions are fit into the groove portions, and the engaging pieces and the selector plate are layered in a rotation axis direction of the selectable one-way clutch, when the selectable one-way clutch is not engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, MEANS INDUSTRIES INC.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Shioiri, Brice Pawley
  • Patent number: 10525969
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of an engine are presented. In one example, a position of a throttle is adjusted along with other actuators to improve engine starting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Dennis Craig Reed, Adam Nathan Banker, David Oshinsky