Patents by Inventor Shannon Wrobel

Shannon Wrobel 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: 20240123862
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that includes an electric power source for providing propulsive effort to the vehicle are is described. In one example, a remote or external device may generate a request to prepare a vehicle for extended or long term storage. A state of charge of a traction battery and a state of charge of a low voltage battery may be adjusted to prepare the vehicle for extended storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Patrick Soderborg, Gitanjli McRoy, Shannon Wrobel, Andrew Mast
  • Patent number: 11565581
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for simulating rev-matching in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). In particular, increased engine response is provided while downshifting during acceleration. The transmission of an HEV may include an electronic control unit that controls the speed of the engine to simulate gears, and increases the speed of the engine responsive to a driver using the gear selector to shift from one of the simulated gears to a lower one of the simulated gears, thereby providing the desired rev-matching experience. The increased engine response can be reflected in a target engine speed that is calculated based on specific gear ratios associated with each of the simulated gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Erik Hasso Benedikt, Shannon Wrobel
  • Patent number: 11408506
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for simulating rev-matching in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), e.g., HEVs having a two motor hybrid system transmission. In particular, increased engine response is provided while downshifting during acceleration. The two-motor hybrid system transmission may include an electronic control unit that controls the speed of the engine to simulate gears, and increases the speed of the engine responsive to a driver using the gear selector to shift from one of the simulated gears to a lower one of the simulated gears, thereby providing the desired rev-matching experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Erik Hasso Benedikt, Shannon Wrobel, Justin Chow
  • Publication number: 20210206254
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for simulating rev-matching in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). In particular, increased engine response is provided while downshifting during acceleration. The transmission of an HEV may include an electronic control unit that controls the speed of the engine to simulate gears, and increases the speed of the engine responsive to a driver using the gear selector to shift from one of the simulated gears to a lower one of the simulated gears, thereby providing the desired rev-matching experience. The increased engine response can be reflected in a target engine speed that is calculated based on specific gear ratios associated with each of the simulated gears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Erik Hasso Benedikt, Shannon Wrobel
  • Publication number: 20210054930
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for simulating rev-matching in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), e.g., HEVs having a two motor hybrid system transmission. In particular, increased engine response is provided while downshifting during acceleration. The two-motor hybrid system transmission may include an electronic control unit that controls the speed of the engine to simulate gears, and increases the speed of the engine responsive to a driver using the gear selector to shift from one of the simulated gears to a lower one of the simulated gears, thereby providing the desired rev-matching experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: ERIK HASSO BENEDIKT, SHANNON WROBEL, JUSTIN CHOW
  • Patent number: 10654488
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for providing an acceleration boost. The acceleration boosting system provides or outputs a boosted acceleration. The acceleration boosting system includes a communication device, a navigation unit or a first sensor that is configured to obtain acceleration information. The acceleration boosting system includes a second sensor that is configured to detect or measure an applied force of an accelerator pedal. The applied force corresponds to a first amount of energy that is used to power or propel the vehicle. The acceleration boosting system includes an electronic control unit that is configured to determine that the acceleration information indicates that a driver should accelerate. The electronic control unit is configured to determine that the accelerator pedal is depressed within a threshold time limit of the indication and cause a second amount of energy to be converted to move or propel multiple wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Justin Chow, Shannon Wrobel, Abril Galang
  • Publication number: 20190276045
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for providing an acceleration boost. The acceleration boosting system provides or outputs a boosted acceleration. The acceleration boosting system includes a communication device, a navigation unit or a first sensor that is configured to obtain acceleration information. The acceleration boosting system includes a second sensor that is configured to detect or measure an applied force of an accelerator pedal. The applied force corresponds to a first amount of energy that is used to power or propel the vehicle. The acceleration boosting system includes an electronic control unit that is configured to determine that the acceleration information indicates that a driver should accelerate. The electronic control unit is configured to determine that the accelerator pedal is depressed within a threshold time limit of the indication and cause a second amount of energy to be converted to move or propel multiple wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Justin Chow, Shannon Wrobel, Abril Galang
  • Patent number: 10118604
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for managing energy efficiency of a vehicle. The system includes a GPS unit configured to detect a current location of the vehicle. The system includes a network access device configured to receive traffic data. The system includes a navigation unit configured to determine whether traffic is upcoming along a route based on the traffic data. The system includes a speed sensor configured to detect a current speed of the vehicle. The system includes an electronic control unit configured to activate a pre-charge mode when the upcoming slowdown in vehicle speed is determined, the pre-charge mode causing the engine to charge the battery via the motor/generator. The electronic control unit is configured to deactivate the pre-charge mode to prevent charging of the battery by the engine when the detected current speed of the vehicle is below a speed threshold for a set period of time or distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Shannon A. Wrobel, Joshua D. Payne
  • Patent number: 9896106
    Abstract: A system for adjusting timing of coasting assistance provided by a vehicle that is approaching an intersection where the vehicle will turn or is programmed or scheduled to turn. The system includes a speed sensor configured to detect vehicle speed data. The system includes a pedal unit configured to detect brake pedal position data. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to detect when the brake pedal is engaged and released. The ECU is configured to detect a vehicle speed when the brake pedal is released. The ECU is configured to determine, at a determination time, whether the intersection is a green light intersection or a red light intersection. The ECU is configured to detect, at an application time, when the vehicle is approaching the intersection. The system also includes a display configured to display, at the application time, a coasting assistance instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Shannon A. Wrobel, Joshua D. Payne