Patents by Inventor Erik Lauri

Erik Lauri has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20090205408
    Abstract: A method is provided for sensing leakage in a clutch cylinder system in a vehicle including an automated manual transmission, wherein the clutch cylinder system includes a clutch cylinder provided with a reciprocable piston, whose position is sensed by a position sensor and affected by pressurization of the cylinder by opening or closing at least one air inlet valve and by opening or closing at least one air outlet valve and wherein the clutch is in an engaged position when there is no air pressure in the cylinder. The method includes the steps of: a. closing the at least one inlet valve and at least one outlet valve for compressed air; b. sensing a position of the piston during a predetermined time span, and, c. if the position has changed more than a predetermined allowable position change, sending an error signal to an onboard diagnostics system or a signal light in the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: Volovo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Svante Karlsson, Lars Karlsson, Erik Lauri
  • Patent number: 7487025
    Abstract: An automatic gearshifting process and/or disengagement process of a coupling-dependent power take off for a vehicle with the power take off engaged and when the vehicle is in motion. The power tapping at the power take off is minimized before a gearshift and/or disengagement of the claw clutch of the power take off takes place. One advantage is that gearshifting can be realized with engaged coupling-dependent power take off. Comfort is increased and coupling teeth wear is minimized, whilst, at the same time, a gear and the claw clutch of the power take off are able to be securely disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnor AB
    Inventors: Marcus Steen, Svante Karlsson, Erik Lauri
  • Publication number: 20090017989
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling disengagement of an automated clutch in a vehicle. A decrease of a first engine rotational speed limit, at which the clutch is disengaged, is initiated upon sensing travel of the vehicle in a down slope, and zero displacement of the throttle control. The first engine rotational speed limit is decreased to a speed where an, in the vehicle arranged, engine idle speed regulator injects an amount of fuel corresponding to a positive engine torque which equals current retarding negative engine torque so that total output torque from the engine is approximately zero. The vehicle accelerating effect due to engine braking torque drop out when the clutch is disengaged will be eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Svante Karlsson, Helene Panagopoulos, Erik Lauri
  • Publication number: 20080300107
    Abstract: A method for controlling clutch disengagement in a vehicle having an automated manual transmission including an electronically controlled clutch includes 1. sensing at least two brake pedal positions separated in time, 2. performing a differentiation of the sensed brake pedal positions, 3. comparing the result of the differentiation to a first predetermined threshold value, and 4. controlling the clutch to disengage if the result of the differentiation represents a faster brake pedal application than a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Svante Karlsson, Erik Lauri
  • Publication number: 20080234102
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for adjusting shift characteristics of a transmission of a heavy vehicle. A heavy vehicle is operated and that is powered by an internal combustion engine equipped with an automated manual transmission and a power take off. The power take off, when operating, imposes a torque-consuming load on the engine. Operation of the power take off is detected when the engine of the vehicle is in a power mode. At least one gear-shift event is adapted to occur at a higher engine speed when power take off operation is detected than when power take off operation is not detected. The gear-shift event is affected at an engine speed that is approximately five to twenty-five percent higher than when power take off operation is not detected. The gear-shift event may be an up-shift to a lower ratio gear engagement or a down-shift to a higher ratio gear engagement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Svante Karlsson, Erik Lauri
  • Publication number: 20080220938
    Abstract: A method for clutch disengagement at idling running of a vehicle including an automated manual transmission is characterized in that a rate of the clutch disengagement is controlled responsive to a brake pedal force applied to a brake pedal by a vehicle operator. A clutch disengagement controller controls a rate of clutch disengagement at engine idling running mode. The clutch disengagement controller is connected to a brake pedal sensor sensing a force applied to a brake pedal and to at least one air inlet valve controlling a position of a clutch cylinder. The controller controls opening of said at least one air inlet valve responsive to the force sensed by the brake pedal sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Helene Panagopoulos, Erik Lauri, Svante Karlsson
  • Patent number: 7396317
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for providing a vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a drivetrain coupled to the internal combustion engine. A control unit is utilized for automatic gear selection, based on a function of the current rotational speed of an input shaft to the gearbox, and in which the control unit is designed to assume a first operating mode having a first working speed range with a first lower limit for downshifting to a gear with a higher transmission ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Marcus Steen, Anders Eriksson, Erik Lauri
  • Patent number: 7318788
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for providing an automatic gearshift procedure for a vehicle with engaged clutch-dependent power take-off (32) when the vehicle is in motion. The power take-off (32) is driven by an engine (1) via an automated disk clutch (3) and an automatic stage-geared gearbox (9) in which an intermediate shaft (11) for driving the power take-off (32) is arranged. The control unit (45) controls the gearbox (9), the disk clutch (3) and the engine (1) so that shifting when the vehicle is in motion can take place even with an engaged clutch-dependent power take-off (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Svante Karlsson, Erik Lauri, Marcus Steen
  • Patent number: 7300384
    Abstract: Method and device for controlling the position of an automatic disk clutch (3) as a function of the position of a throttle lever (48, 49) arranged in a vehicle is disclosed. In some preferred embodiments, the method is employed when starting the vehicle from stationary or virtually from stationary, in which a function (e.g., a primary function) of the disk clutch (3) is to transmit motive force from an internal combustion engine (1) arranged in a vehicle to an input shaft (7) of a stagegeared gearbox (9). The position (48, 49) of the disk clutch is also preferably controlled as a function of at least one of the parameters: vehicle weight; tractive resistance of the vehicle; and the selected transmission ratio between the gearbox input shaft and the driving wheels of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Anders Eriksson, Svante Karlsson, Erik Lauri, Marcus Steen
  • Patent number: 7273442
    Abstract: Drivetrain for a motor vehicle including an engine (1), a gearbox (9) having an intermediate shaft (11) with intermediate shaft brake (17) and a friction clutch (3) coupled between the engine and the gearbox. A torque sensor (19) is provided, which detects the input torque to the gearbox. The intermediate shaft brake and the clutch are controlled by a control unit (12), which is programmed in predetermined instances, when the gearbox is in the neutral position, the clutch is engaged and the intermediate shaft brake is released, to measure and store the torque loss from the gearbox and then to set the brake to a predetermined level and to register and store the torque increase during the setting until constant torque is attained. This is registered and stored in the control unit together with the time for the torque increase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Marcus Steen, Svante Karlsson, Erik Lauri, Helene Panagopoulos
  • Patent number: 7270624
    Abstract: A drive unit for a motor vehicle, comprising a drive engine, a transmission having an intermediate shaft with intermediate shaft brake, and a friction clutch which is engaged between the engine and the transmission and which, via an electronic control unit, is operated by an operating cylinder. A torque transmitter is provided, which detects input torque to the transmission. The control unit is arranged so as, on predetermined occasions, when the transmission is in the neutral position, the friction clutch is disconnected and the intermediate shaft brake is applied, gradually to engage the friction clutch and to register and store, as a function of the position the operating piston of the operating cylinder, the torque measured by the torque transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Marcus Steen, Svante Karlsson, Helene Panagopoulos, Erik Lauri
  • Patent number: 7226389
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for facilitating hill-starting of a stationary motor vehicle. The method includes applying at least one braking device using a brake pedal and estimating the traveling resistance of the vehicle using a control unit (30). The control unit (30) determines a starting gear, a starting torque and a starting speed with regard to the estimated traveling resistance. The driver releases the brake pedal and the brakes are kept applied for a certain time. The driver operates an accelerator pedal to a position at least corresponding to the minimum transmitted torque and a clutch device (2) for a gearbox (3) is activated by the control unit (30) when the starting speed has been achieved. The control unit (30) releases the braking devices as a function of the increase in the transmitted driving torque of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Marcus Steen, Erik Lauri, Lars Karlsson
  • Patent number: 7214166
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for distributing brake torque between at least one first and one second brake device on a motor vehicle including at least two wheel pairs. The first brake device is a friction brake which acts on at least one wheel pair and the second brake device acts on at least the driven wheel pair via the transmission and is disposed before the clutch device of the transmission. Brake torque is distributed between the first and the second brake device in a manner that compensates for the loss of brake torque which occurs when the second brake device is disengaged by the clutch device of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Marcus Steen, Erik Lauri, Svante Karlsson, Helene Panagopoulos
  • Publication number: 20070042865
    Abstract: Drivetrain for a motor vehicle including an engine (1), a gearbox (9) having an intermediate shaft (11) with intermediate shaft brake (17) and a friction clutch (3) coupled between the engine and the gearbox. A torque sensor (19) is provided, which detects the input torque to the gearbox. The intermediate shaft brake and the clutch are controlled by a control unit (12), which is programmed in predetermined instances, when the gearbox is in the neutral position, the clutch is engaged and the intermediate shaft brake is released, to measure and store the torque loss from the gearbox and then to set the brake to a predetermined level and to register and store the torque increase during the setting until constant torque is attained. This is registered and stored in the control unit together with the time for the torque increase. The control unit is programmed to then deactivate the brake and to register and store the torque reduction during deactivation down to the torque loss and the time taken for this.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Marcus STEEN, Svante KARLSSON, Erik LAURI, Helene PANAGOPOULOS
  • Publication number: 20070004557
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for distributing brake torque between at least one first and one second brake device on a motor vehicle including at least two wheel pairs. The first brake device is a friction brake which acts on at least one wheel pair and the second brake device acts on at least the driven wheel pair via the transmission and is disposed before the clutch device of the transmission. Brake torque is distributed between the first and the second brake device in a manner that compensates for the loss of brake torque which occurs when the second brake device is disengaged by the clutch device of the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Marcus STEEN, Erik LAURI, Svante KARLSSON, Helene PANAGOPOULOS
  • Publication number: 20060241840
    Abstract: An automatic gearshifting process and/or disengagement process of a coupling-dependent power take off for a vehicle with the power take off engaged and when the vehicle is in motion. The power tapping at the power take off is minimized before a gearshift and/or disengagement of the claw clutch of the power take off takes place. One advantage is that gearshifting can be realized with engaged coupling-dependent power take off. Comfort is increased and coupling teeth wear is minimized, whilst, at the same time, a gear and the claw clutch of the power take off are able to be securely disengaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Marcus Steen, Svante Karlsson, Erik Lauri
  • Publication number: 20060223671
    Abstract: A drive unit for a motor vehicle, comprising a drive engine, a transmission having an intermediate shaft with intermediate shaft brake, and a friction clutch which is engaged between the engine and the transmission and which, via an electronic control unit, is operated by an operating cylinder. A torque transmitter is provided, which detects input torque to the transmission. The control unit is arranged so as, on predetermined occasions, when the transmission is in the neutral position, the friction clutch is disconnected and the intermediate shaft brake is applied, gradually to engage the friction clutch and to register and store, as a function of the position the operating piston of the operating cylinder, the torque measured by the torque transmitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Marcus Steen, Svante Karlsson, Helene Panagopoulos, Erik Lauri
  • Patent number: 7077024
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for gear upshifting in a motor vehicle. The arrangement includes an internal combustion engine (1) with an engine-braking device (52), an automated disk-clutch (3), a multi-stage gearbox (9), in the casing (8) of which an input shaft (7), an intermediate shaft (11) and a main shaft (10) are mounted, and an intermediate shaft brake (50) for braking the intermediate shaft (11). When the upshifting takes place, the disk clutch (3) is disengaged and the intermediate shaft (11) is disengaged from the main shaft (10). The intermediate shaft brake (50) is activated so that the rotational speed of the intermediate shaft (11) is adapted to the next gear selected at the same time as the rotational speed of the engine (1) is adapted to the rotational speed of the input shaft (7) in the new gear by virtue of the engine-braking device (52) being activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Erik Lauri, Svante Karlsson, Marcus Steen
  • Publication number: 20060148615
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for providing a vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a drivetrain coupled to the internal combustion engine. A control unit is utilized for automatic gear selection, based on a function of the current rotational speed of an input shaft to the gearbox, and in which the control unit is designed to assume a first operating mode having a first working speed range with a first lower limit for downshifting to a gear with a higher transmission ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Applicant: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Marcus Steen, Anders Eriksson, Erik Lauri
  • Publication number: 20060116238
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for providing an automatic gearshift procedure for a vehicle with engaged clutch-dependent power take-off (32) when the vehicle is in motion. The power take-off (32) is driven by an engine (1) via an automated disk clutch (3) and an automatic stage-geared gearbox (9) in which an intermediate shaft (11) for driving the power take-off (32) is arranged. The control unit (45) controls the gearbox (9), the disk clutch (3) and the engine (1) so that shifting when the vehicle is in motion can take place even with an engaged clutch-dependent power take-off (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Svante Karlsson, Erik Lauri, Marcus Steen