Patents Examined by Khoi Q. Ta
  • Patent number: 6085607
    Abstract: To perform simple and precise shift changes without using a change pedal and a change lever. In conjunction with the engagement and disengagement of a transmission clutch, a shift spindle rotates a shift drum to establish predetermined gear levels, and is rotatably driven via moderator gears by a motor. By operating a shift up switch or shift down switch not illustrated, the motor rotates the shift spindle in a prescribed direction, the transmission clutch and shift drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoru Narita, Yoshiaki Tsukada, Toshinari Mohara
  • Patent number: 6086515
    Abstract: To retain a vehicle on an inclined roadway and when starting uphill, the vehicle speed, the brake pedal application, the drive torque, the operating condition of the vehicle engine, the application of a parking brake, and the activation of the retaining system is determined. When the retaining system is activated and the vehicle speed lies below a limit value, the brake force or the braking pressure is maintained when the brake pedal is applied and no drive torque is sensed; the brake force is increased when the driving engine is switched off and neither the brake pedal nor the parking brake is activated, or when the engine is switched on and neither brake pedal application nor drive torque is sensed. The brake force is reduced when the parking brake is applied, with the engine switched off and the brake pedal not applied, or a drive torque is sensed with the engine switched on. The retaining system is deactivated when the vehicle speed threshold is exceeded and/or when the off-switch is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises Inc.
    Inventors: Gunther Buschmann, Karlheinz Haupt, Thomas Kuzel
  • Patent number: 6086492
    Abstract: An engine brake for a vehicle having a frame rollably supported by at least one wheel, an engine supported by the frame and having an output shaft, the output shaft arranged to drive at least one wheel supporting the vehicle through a transmission, is disclosed. The transmission has a drive pulley driven by the output shaft and a driven pulley driven by the drive pulley. The drive pulley comprises a fixed sheave and a moveable sheave moveable relative to the fixed sheave. The moveable sheave in a first position relative to the fixed sheave causes the drive pulley to drive the driven pulley in a high speed position and the moveable sheave in a second position relative to the fixed sheave causing the drive pulley to drive the driven pulley in a low speed position. The engine brake comprises an air chamber defined in part by the moveable sheave and a vacuum apparatus removing air from the chamber and moving the moveable sheave to its second position when a speed of the engine is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takatoshi Nakano, Seiji Nakagaki
  • Patent number: 6086506
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a continuously variable transmission with an electrohydraulic control, a selector device, and a controllable engaging clutch of a motor vehicle, especially one powered by an internal combustion engine, with a control device in a first operating mode automatically selecting and adjusting a gear ratio for the transmission from signals of the selector device and the operating parameters of the motor vehicle such as the throttle angle, driving speed and engine rpm, by means of curves selectable by the driver.It is proposed, in a second operating mode, to simulate a multi-step transmission influenceable directly by the driver. In order to permit use of this operating mode, only a few preset gear ratios are made available to the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Joseph Petersmann, Willi Seidel, Heinz Stehle, Werner Mollers, Uwe Froschke
  • Patent number: 6086514
    Abstract: A method of determining, during a clutch re-engagement process, the kiss-point of a vehicle clutch (14) having a driven plate (40) which drives a vehicle from an engine (10) via a multi-ratio transmission (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Luk Leamington Limited
    Inventors: Charles John Jones, Paul Grahame Martin
  • Patent number: 6086503
    Abstract: A cartridge holder being movable between a cartridge accommcodating position where it is concealed within a camera body and a projecting position where it is exposed outside the camera body has a lower supporting member at its bottom for driving a film spool in a film cartridge inserted through an opening into the cartridge holder by engaging a lower end of the film spool, and an upper supporting member for engaging an upper end of the film spool. The upper supporting member is moved between its retracted position where it is retracted from the opening of the cartridge holder and its engaged position where it engages the film spool, its movement interconnecting with the movement of the cartridge holder between its cartridge accommodating and projecting positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshito Konishi, Hidehiko Fujii, Junichi Tanii, Nobuharu Murashima
  • Patent number: 6083140
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having an engine camshaft driven air compressor. The air compressor supplies air under pressure through separate regulated and controlled circuits to air springs for urging the poppet valves of the engine to a closed position and engine driven accessories, such as a variable throttle mechanism and/or an air actuator for controlling for a change speed transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takaaki Kimura
  • Patent number: 6083134
    Abstract: A locking differential gear mechanism of the type which can operate in either a manual mode or an automatic mode. The mechanism includes a gear case (11), and differential gearing including a side gear (23). The side gear (23) includes a flange portion (43) having a set of gear teeth (45), and adjacent thereto is a locking member (47), also having a set of gear teeth (49), disposed to engage the gear teeth on the flange portion. A ball ramp actuator is disposed adjacent the locking member (47), which is preferably integral with an inner actuating plate (57). There is an outer actuating plate (59), preferably disposed outside the gear case (11), and a set of cam balls (73) operable with the actuating plates (57,59) to cause ramp-up, and engagement of the gear teeth (45,49). An electromagnetic coil assembly (75) is disposed adjacent the ball ramp actuator, and is operable to retard rotation of the outer actuating plate (59), and initiate ramp-up, in response to an electrical input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: David P. Godlew
  • Patent number: 6080081
    Abstract: The invention related to a method for engaging power take-offs (28) in automated or partially automated transmissions (6) of commercial vehicles. A signal from the driver corresponding to a wish to engage the power take-off (28) is converted in a control device (34) into a signal for opening an automated clutch (4) between a prime mover (2) and the transmission (6) of the commercial vehicle. Once a predetermined minimum number of revolutions of the input shaft (10) of the transmission (6) is reached, a shifting device (26) is controlled for connecting the power take-off (28) with one transmission shaft (16, 42) that drives the power take-off (28) in order to obtain a closing of said shifting device (26, 52). The clutch (4) is again closed to prevent the teeth (50, 53) of the shifting device (26, 52) from remaining in front of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gerd Sauermann, Klaus Hensinger
  • Patent number: 6080085
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control system, in particular an emergency control system, of an automatic clutch. The clutch can operate with slip controlled by the driving speed when engaged, or can be disengaged or remain disengaged when the engine speed is excessive, and can also be disengaged when there is an idling signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignees: Luk Getriebe-systeme GmbH, DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Franz Kosik, Michael Salecker, Martin Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 6076429
    Abstract: A differential mechanism of the holdout ring type is characterized by improved annular clutch plates with trapezoidally configured cam teeth for mating with the center cam teeth of the center cam. Each clutch plate has inner cam and outer clutch teeth extending from a planar surface thereof with a gap between the inner and outer teeth receiving a holdout ring. The inner cam teeth have a base wider than the top portion thereof so that there is surface to surface contact with the center cam teeth. This reduces torque in the clutch cam teeth and provides smoother operation and a longer service life to the differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Tractech Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Valente
  • Patent number: 6077187
    Abstract: An electronic transmission control system having a fail-safe system for an automotive vehicle with a continuously variable automatic transmission whose speed-change ratio is changeable continuously depending on vehicle speed and engine load, comprises a hydraulic modulator producing at least a regulated line pressure necessary to adjust the speed-change ratio hydraulically, a desired speed-change ratio arithmetic processing section for calculating a desired speed-change ratio based on the vehicle speed and the engine load, and a desired line pressure arithmetic processing section for calculating a desired line pressure based on the desired speed-change ratio and the engine load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Akito Suzuki, Tateki Jozaki, Hirofumi Okahara
  • Patent number: 6077190
    Abstract: Vehicle control apparatus including a running stability controller for performing a predetermined operation for improving stability of running of the vehicle by reducing engine output, braking the vehicle, holding automatic transmission in a predetermined position or shifting up the transmission, for example, and a device for preventing an interference between the operation of the running stability controller and an operation of a device, such as the automatic transmission, a torque converter lock-up clutch and a differential limiting clutch, which device is provided in a power transmitting system and which is controlled by an appropriate controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Hideki Miyata, Masato Kaigawa
  • Patent number: 6076428
    Abstract: An axle assembly for use in lawn tractors, pedestrian walk-behind mowers and snow blowers in the form of a housing having an internally disposed hydrostatic transmission and speed reducing gearing. An input shaft supported in the housing for driving a variable-displacement hydraulic pump of the hydrostatic transmission, the pump fluidly coupled to a fixed-displacement hydraulic motor of the hydrostatic transmission, and where the motor is drivingly connected through the speed reducing gearing to an output axle shaft or shafts. A mechanical differential disposed within said housing for applications requiring differential speeds of said axle output shafts. The housing being formed by three housing members and joined together along a substantially planar and horizontally peripheral seam formed there between such that two of said housing members are to one side of said seam and join with the third housing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Unipat AG
    Inventors: Christian Helmut Thoma, George Duncan McRae Arnold
  • Patent number: 6077191
    Abstract: A controller (100 in FIG. 1) for relieving a gear shift shock in a vehicle, comprising an input torque calculation portion (131) which calculates the input torque (T.sub.t) of the stepped automatic transmission mechanism of the vehicle from engine r.p.m. (N.sub.e) and turbine r.p.m. (N.sub.e), a shift start recognition portion (134) which recognizes the real mechanical shift start timing of the stepped automatic transmission mechanism in accordance with the change of the input torque (T.sub.t), a line-pressure correction magnitude calculation portion (142) which calculates a line-pressure correction magnitude (.DELTA.PL) during the gear shift operation of the stepped automatic transmission mechanism when the shift start has been recognized, a standard line pressure calculation portion (143) which calculates a standard line pressure (PL), and a command line pressure calculation portion (144) which adds the line-pressure correction magnitude (.DELTA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Hiroshi Kimura, Junich Ishii, Takashi Shiraishi, Naoyuki Ozaki
  • Patent number: 6077186
    Abstract: A drive control system for starting an internal combustion engine of a hybrid vehicle running while transmitting the output of an electric motor to a power transmission line for the run, by coupling the internal combustion engine to the power transmission line. The drive control system comprises: a start demand deciding unit for deciding a demand for the start of the internal combustion engine; and an assist setting unit for raising the output torque of the electric motor, when the demand for starting the internal combustion engine is decided by the start demand deciding unit, by a torque corresponding to either a motoring torque necessary for rotating the internal combustion engine or a summed torque of the motoring torque and an inertia torque according to the changing rate of the revolution speed of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Kojima, Hidehiro Oba, Kazumi Hoshiya
  • Patent number: 6073507
    Abstract: A shift control unit is provided in an electric-power-assist transmission which offers good operatability. A shift disabling unit employs a neutral-position detecting unit, a vehicle-speed judging unit, an engine-rotational-speed judging device, an OR circuit and an AND circuit. The neutral-position detecting unit is used for outputting an "H"-level signal to indicate that a gear is placed at a neutral position. The vehicle-speed judging unit generates an "H"-level signal for a speed of a vehicle equal to or higher than 10 km/h. On the other hand, the engine-rotational-speed judging device generates an "H"-level signal for a rotational speed of an engine equal to or higher than 3,000 rpm. The OR circuit generates an "H"-level signal when the vehicle-speed judging unit generates an "H"-level signal or the engine-rotational speed judging device generates an "H"-level signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsuo Ota, Satoru Narita, Tatsuo Masuda
  • Patent number: 6074322
    Abstract: A new type of apparatus for transmitting rotation utilizing an oscillating input utilizes a self-locking worm (1) and worm gear (3) combination with different types of means for rotating said worm about its axis of rotation relative to said worm gear described. An input to the worm gear (3) is transmitted without relative movement to the thread of the worm (1) to cause the thread and hence the rotor to rotate about an axis of the worm gear. The means preferably rotates the worm thread relative to the worm gear teeth under certain conditions when it is not desired to transmit rotation. A system for transmitting an oscillating input (4) to a single directional output (5) incorporates some of the worm and worm gear combinations with spider or bevel differentials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: Yakov Fleytman
  • Patent number: 6071208
    Abstract: An automatic transmission for motor vehicles comprising three interconnected planetary gear units, two rotating friction clutches and four friction brakes providing six optimized forward gear ratios and a reverse ratio, all assembled into a compact package no larger than the current four-speed automatic transmissions. This invention preferably utilizes two multi-plate rotating clutches and special friction force balanced brake bands that allows self-synchronized ratio shifts without creating any side loading of associated band drums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventor: Erkki Koivunen
  • Patent number: 6068571
    Abstract: An adjustment collar for a positioning a ring gear to a differential case. The ring gear is splined to the differential case so as to allow axial displacement. The adjustment collar is threaded onto the differential case adjacent to the ring gear. The adjustment collar is rotated to axially position the adjustment collar, and consequently the ring gear relative to the differential case and axle assembly. The adjustment collar and ring gear are bolted to one another to prevent relative rotation there between. Because the ring gear is splined to the differential case, relative rotation between the ring gear and differential case, and consequently the adjustment collar and the differential case, is prevented. Because the ring gear and adjustment collar are locked to one another, the two components are thus prevented from both axial and rotational movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Earl James Irwin