Transmission Mechanism Patents (Class 180/337)
  • Publication number: 20120205181
    Abstract: A boot assembly includes a boot and a retention band. The retention band includes a ring, a lever attached to the ring and a clasp associated with the ring and configured for selective engagement with the lever. The boot includes an annular wall defining a hollow interior configured to receive a portion of a drive assembly of a vehicle. The boot further includes a rib, the rib being integral with the annular wall and extending radially outwardly from the annular wall. The rib and the annular wall cooperate to define an annular channel that is configured to receive the retention band. The rib extends radially outwardly beyond the ring, the lever and the clasp of the retention band when the retention band is seated within the annular channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventor: Lee N. Bowers
  • Patent number: 8224538
    Abstract: An automatic transmission includes gears, torque-transmitting mechanisms, interconnecting members, an input member and an output member. A method of controlling the automatic transmission includes data acquisition from the output shaft torque sensor, commanding a hydraulic fluid pressure pulse time and a pressure pulse value to engage a first torque-transmitting mechanism, calculating a rate-of-change of a first data output from the output shaft torque sensor, calculating a rate-of-change of a second data output from the output shaft torque sensor, comparing the results of the rate-of-change calculations and adjusting the hydraulic fluid pressure pulse time and a pressure pulse value if the rate of change of the second data output is not equal to the rate-of-change of the first data output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Zhen Zhang, Shushan Bai, John R. Maten
  • Patent number: 8219291
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes signaling a transmission to shift into a first gear ratio and sensing a current gear ratio of the transmission after signaling the transmission to shift into the first gear ratio. The method further includes implementing a diagnostic transmission shift control strategy to override a normal transmission shift control strategy when the current sensed gear ratio is not equal to the requested first gear ratio to verify proper functionality of a mode control valve that is responsible for shifting the transmission into the first gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Emmanuel V. Yabes, Brian J. Pellerito, Michael Chernyak, Craig J. Hawkins, Cheol W. Kim
  • Patent number: 8200383
    Abstract: A powertrain system includes an engine coupled to an input member of a transmission device operative to transmit torque between the input member and a torque machine and an output member. The torque machine is connected to an energy storage device. A method for controlling the powertrain system include monitoring a temperature of the torque machine, selecting a candidate powertrain system operating point, determining an electrical power input and a motor power output of the torque machine for the candidate powertrain system operating point, determining a power loss for the torque machine associated with the motor power output of the torque machine and the electrical power input, and determining operating costs for operating the powertrain system at the candidate powertrain system operating point associated with the power loss from the torque machine and based upon the temperature of the torque machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Anthony H. Heap
  • Publication number: 20120138373
    Abstract: A final drive assembly is used to support a track chain on a track type machine. The final drive assembly includes a sprocket hub mounted for rotation on a fixed hub. A seal is positioned between the fixed hub and the sprocket hub. The fixed hub and the sprocket hub define a seal protection passageway that extends between an outer surface and the seal. The seal protection passageway includes a labyrinth located between an annular attachment flange and the seal along a rotation axis of the sprocket hub. The outer surface includes a valley between a sprocket mount of the sprocket hub and a machine mount of the fixed hub. The seal protection passageway opens at a greater radius than a minimum radius of the valley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: Robert Jackson
  • Patent number: 8189336
    Abstract: A composite cover for a portion of a motor vehicle transmission has an integral, internal heat sink to which an electronic controller is attached. The cover, which may be fabricated of any temperature appropriate plastic or composite, closes off and protects that portion of a motor vehicle transmission having electrical and electronic components such as valves, solenoids, motors and sensors. Spaced from the inside surface of the cover where it is subjected on both sides to flow of transmission fluid is a plate or heat sink. An electronic controller is disposed on the outside of the cover and attached by heat transferring mechanical fasteners such as studs or bolts to the plate inside the cover. Preferably, the housing of the controller also includes a heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Pete R. Garcia, Tejinder Singh, James D. Hendrickson
  • Patent number: 8180536
    Abstract: During control of a shift of a first friction engagement element from an engaged state into a disengaged state and a shift of a second friction engagement element from a disengaged state into an engaged state for a gear shift to a first target gear from a second target gear, a desired torque capacity of the first friction engagement element is set based on an actual transmission gear ratio by interpolation from values of the desired torque capacity corresponding to at least first and second reference transmission gear ratios, wherein the first reference transmission gear ratio is a transmission gear ratio at start of an inertia phase of the shift control. When the first reference transmission gear ratio is between the actual transmission gear ratio and the second reference transmission gear ratio, the desired torque capacity is set to the value corresponding to the first reference transmission gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Masami Suzuki, Goh Endo
  • Patent number: 8170762
    Abstract: A method for controlling a hydraulic flow within a powertrain comprising an electromechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an engine adapted to selectively transmit power to an output, wherein the transmission utilizes a hydraulic control system serving a number of hydraulic oil consuming functions includes monitoring minimum hydraulic pressure requirements for each of the functions, determining a requested hydraulic pressure based upon the monitoring minimum hydraulic pressure requirements and physical limits of the hydraulic control system including a maximum pressure, determining a desired flow utilizing a hydraulic control system flow model based upon the requested hydraulic pressure, and utilizing the desired flow to control an auxiliary hydraulic pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael D. Foster, Eric S. Tryon, Jy-Jen F. Sah, Ali K Naqvi
  • Patent number: 8170758
    Abstract: An automatic transmission may be coupled to an internal combustion engine. A shift selector may be coupled to the transmission and may have a plurality of user selectable inputs for controlling operation of the transmission that are electrically connected to a control circuit. The control circuit may include a memory having a value stored therein that relates to operation of the transmission. The memory may further include instructions stored therein that are executable by the control circuit to change the value stored in the memory to a different value upon detection of user selection of a predefined sequence of two or more of the plurality of user selectable inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Rains
  • Patent number: 8116953
    Abstract: An active thermal management system and method for selectively warming and cooling transmission fluid in a transmission usable with a vehicular engine is provided. The active thermal management system includes a thermal sensor which measures transmission fluid temperature and signals a valve to selectively communicate transmission fluid flow into one or more discrete fluid circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Richard J Lopez
  • Patent number: 8104560
    Abstract: The driving device utilizing inertia mainly contains a battery, a motor, a flywheel, a casing, a transmission box, a casing, a generator, a rectifier, and a charger. The flywheel is mounted on a shaft and is housed in a vacuum chamber through shaft seal. The flywheel freely spins by itself after actuated by the motor. The flywheel's torque is then delivered to the transmission box which in turn delivers the torque to drive a vehicle such as automobile, vessel, plane, submarine, etc. On the other hand, the spinning flywheel drives the generator to produce electricity which is stored in the battery series-connected to the generator via the rectifier and the charger. As such, the driving device is able to power the vehicle while the surplus energy is stored in the battery for activating the motor and turning the flywheel to spin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Teng-Hui Huang
  • Patent number: 8014925
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an automatic transmission includes an operational condition detecting unit for detecting a vehicle operational condition, a slope detecting unit for detecting a road surface slope, and a shift characteristic selecting unit for selecting one of a plurality of shift maps preliminarily set according to the road surface slope. The control apparatus further includes an acceleration/deceleration calculating unit for calculating an acceleration or deceleration from the degree of increase or decrease in vehicle speed per unit time, a deceleration shift characteristic for deciding a gear position according to the deceleration and the vehicle speed, and a brake detecting unit for detecting a brake operation. When the road surface slope is determined to be a downhill slope and the brake operation is detected, the selected shift map is changed to the deceleration shift characteristic and the gear position is decided according to the deceleration shift characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Saitou, Ryuji Murata
  • Patent number: 8010060
    Abstract: RF signal noise in a powertrain utilizing a power inverter module and electric motor is attenuated by providing a low impedance connection between a transmission output shaft and housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: William T Ivan, Edward L. Kaiser, Grantland I. Kingman, David J. Trzcinski
  • Patent number: 8000864
    Abstract: An automatic transmission may be coupled to an internal combustion engine. A shift selector may be coupled to the transmission and may have a plurality of user selectable inputs for controlling operation of the transmission that are electrically connected to a control circuit. The control circuit may include a memory having a value stored therein that relates to operation of the transmission. The memory may further include instructions stored therein that are executable by the control circuit to change the value stored in the memory to a different value upon detection of user selection of a predefined sequence of two or more of the plurality of user selectable inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Rains
  • Patent number: 7984784
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed that includes a transmission and a gear selector. A controller determines the position of the gear selector and other conditions of the vehicle to control the operation of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Bruce Allan Musmaker, Andrew William Neebel
  • Patent number: 7973437
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission for a motor vehicle with a transmission housing, with an electrical actuator for the actuation of the transmission and with an electrical control device for the control of the actuator. The transmission has a heat sink device 24 thermoconductively connected to the device and a heat insulating layer between a housing of the actuator and the heat sink device for the thermal insulation of the actuator housing and of the heat sink device, with the actuator housing being thermoconductively connected to the transmission housing or being part of the transmission housing. The invention furthermore relates to a corresponding actuator unit for a transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: MAGNA Powertrain AG & Co KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Feier, Walter Furlan, Martin Kiessner-Haiden, Peter Koncic
  • Publication number: 20110147497
    Abstract: A self-propelled agricultural application machine (10) comprising a chassis (100) which carries a storage tank (15) for the material to be applied is provided. The chassis (100) comprises a central longitudinal beam (110) from which at least a pair of wheels (12, 14) are suspended. The narrow chassis (100) allows steerable wheels to be positioned at tolerable track widths whilst permitting a large steering angle and thus small turning radii.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: AGCO NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventor: Joris Hiddema
  • Publication number: 20110144848
    Abstract: A drive unit is provided. The drive unit forms a power transmitting path that includes a driving shaft between a wheel/tire assembly and a driving power source provided separately for each wheel/tire assembly, and transmits power via the driving shaft. The drive unit has a weak portion, which is less durable than any other portion in the power transmitting path with respect to external force applied to the wheel/tire assembly, formed on the driving shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kensuke Yoshizue, Kazuya Arakawa
  • Patent number: 7945362
    Abstract: A method and system of detecting power hop of a vehicle involves generating signals, including a current signal and a previous signal, indicative of the current longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle, calculating the period and amplitude of the signals, determining if the combined period and amplitude of the current signal exceeds a first predetermined value, and determining whether the combined period and amplitude of the current signal exceeds a second predetermined value greater than the first predetermined value. The method may also involve determining if the amplitude of the current signal exceeds a predetermined percentage of the amplitude of the previous signal. Power hop is detected when the combined period and amplitude of the current signal exceeds the first predetermined value as well as the second predetermined value, and possibly also when the amplitude of the current signal exceeds the predetermined percentage of the amplitude of the previous signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eric Dobkin, Long Ying, Derek Cleasby, Ron Posa
  • Publication number: 20110108351
    Abstract: A gear case 43 is provided, which houses an input shaft 52, intermediate shaft 55, output shaft 58 and brake discs 59 such that at least a portion of the intermediate shaft 55 and brake discs 59 overlap when viewed in the axial direction of the input shaft 52.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventor: Christopher Gervais
  • Patent number: 7926612
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a pair of side frames extending along a vehicle body in a front-rear direction of the vehicle, a transmission adapted to be axially connected with the engine and adapted to be transversely mounted on the vehicle body, includes an input shaft, an output shaft, a first counter shaft, a second counter shaft, a first gear mechanism, a second gear mechanism, a third gear mechanism, and a transmission case, wherein the first and second gear mechanisms are arranged relatively close to the engine, the third gear mechanism is arranged more remote from the engine than the second gear mechanism, the first counter shaft is arranged above the input shaft and the second counter shaft, and the transmission case forms a cut-out portion at an upper portion of a back wall portion of the transmission case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin AI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20110048828
    Abstract: The present invention relates to all terrain vehicles having at least a pair of laterally spaced apart seating surfaces. More particularly, the present invention relates to trail compliant side-by-side all terrain vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Larry Sunsdahl, Aaron David Deckard, Marcus Johannes Tullemans, Richard E. Eck, Jason Carl Plugge, Alan A. Meyer, Laurie Jean Rengel, Geoffrey G. White, Thomas Samuel Parks McCoubrey, Brian Michael Safranski
  • Patent number: 7894969
    Abstract: A control apparatus includes a torque-boost control portion that boosts torque output from the engine, and corrects the operation amount of an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the amount of air taken into the engine to increase the amount of air during a torque phase when the automatic transmission upshifts; and an inertia-phase determination portion that determines whether an inertia phase has started. The torque-boost control portion includes a torque-boost end control portion that executes a torque-boost end control that gradually decreases a correction amount, by which the operation amount is corrected, to zero when the inertia-phase determination portion determines that the inertia phase has started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Asami, Toshio Sugimura, Takaaki Tokura, Nobufusa Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20110024222
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a utility vehicle (2), in particular an agricultural tractor, which has at least three driveable vehicle axles, having a front axle (18), a middle axle (20) and a rear axle (22). The utility vehicle (2) has a drive (4), an adjustable transmission arrangement, which has at least one adjustable transmission unit (32, 34), wherein a drive input of the transmission arrangement is connected in respect of the drive to the drive unit (4) and a drive output from the transmission arrangement is connected in respect of the drive to the three vehicle axles (18, 20, 22), in such a way that the three vehicle axles (18, 20, 22) can be driven by the minimum of one adjustable transmission unit (32, 34) and a longitudinal and at least partially hollow frame element (12), which runs longitudinally and essentially centrally in the utility vehicle (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: AGCO GMBH
    Inventor: Robert Honzek
  • Patent number: 7866433
    Abstract: A carrier assembly has a unique architecture which allows the carrier assembly to be defined by a very small packaging envelope. The carrier includes a main carrier housing with an internal cavity for receiving a differential and a carrier cover that closes the internal cavity once the differential has been installed. Examples of architectural features include a differential lock actuator that is mounted to the carrier cover, dowel pins that accommodate differential leg thrust loads and align the carrier cover relative to the main carrier housing, and bolt-in differential leg structures to facilitate pinion installation. Further, the carrier assembly can be utilized with an independent suspension to provide a increased jounce travel range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Martin, III, Dale J. Eschenburg, Brian David Hayes
  • Patent number: 7857091
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a pair of side frames extending along a vehicle body in front-rear direction of the vehicle, a transmission adapted to be axially connected with the engine and adapted to be transversely mounted on a vehicle body, includes an input shaft, a first counter shaft, a second counter shaft, a first gear mechanism, a second gear mechanism, a third gear mechanism, and a transmission case, wherein the first and third gear mechanisms are arranged close to the engine, the second gear mechanism is arranged more distant from the engine, the second counter shaft is arranged above the input and the first counter shaft, and the transmission case forms a cut-out portion at an upper portion of the back wall portion of the transmission case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Ai Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7853385
    Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided for controlling transmission downshifting of a vehicle. The systems and methods monitor vehicular conditions continuously throughout vehicle travel such that downshifting may occur during braking along a decline and are not influenced by and do not interfere with road grade calculation systems. In one embodiment, a system comprises sensors that monitor vehicular conditions. The sensors transmit signals indicative of vehicular conditions to an electronic controller that processes the signals. The electronic controller generates instructions for downshifting where the processed signals indicate vehicle travel along a decline and when downshifting would not cause exceeding of a maximum revolutions per minute limit. The instructions are transmitted to a transmission system that downshifts the transmission gear position according to the instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Tai Joey Ly
  • Patent number: 7845453
    Abstract: A power take-off support portion, including a shaft hole and an outer side surface formed around the shaft hole, is formed on a transaxle housing. The outer side surface of the power take-off support portion is shaped to fit a power take-off casing supporting a power take-off shaft in a first direction. A power take-off casing includes a power take-off main casing member and a base casing member joined to each other. The base casing member is formed with an inner side surface and an outer side surface. The inner side surface and the outer side surface of the base casing member are shaped so that the power take-off shaft supported by the power take-off main casing member is oriented in a second direction different from the first direction when the inner side surface of the base casing member is fitted to the outer side surface of the power take-off support portion, and the outer side surface of the base casing member is fitted to the inner side surface of the power take-off main casing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuji Nishimoto
  • Patent number: 7823678
    Abstract: A versatile vehicle speed sensor compactly disposed on the outside in a radial direction of a gear. A motorcycle includes a power unit having a torque take-out shaft for outputting a torque generated by an internal combustion engine as a drive torque for driving a rear wheel, a torque transmission mechanism T which includes a gear pair consisting of bevel gears and a drive shaft and which transmits the drive torque to the rear wheel, and a vehicle speed sensor such that teeth of a driven gear constituting the gear pair constitute a portion to be detected. The vehicle speed sensor includes a main body portion having a detecting portion opposed to the addendum of the teeth in the direction of a normal to the addendum cone surface of the driven gear, and the main body portion extends along the normal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigetaro Okano, Kenji Matsuo, Hiroatsu Inui
  • Publication number: 20100133775
    Abstract: A motor vehicle and wheel suspension assembly for a rear wheel of a motor vehicle. The assembly includes a wheel spindle housing supporting a wheel spindle carrying the rear wheel and defining a wheel center. A frame structure is adapted to be connected to a vehicle body or an engine-transmission assembly of the motor vehicle. A spring link extends between the frame structure and the wheel spindle housing and carries a vehicle spring. First and second control links extend between the frame structure and the wheel spindle housing to control the wheel spindle housing to maintain the rear wheel substantially in parallel with a longitudinal direction. A first and second camber link extends between the frame structure and the wheel spindle housing, and intersect each other. An instantaneous center of motion is located at a position far outside the wheel and then rearward the wheel, or far inside the wheel and then forward the wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: SWEDISH ADVANCED AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS AB
    Inventors: Magnus Roland, Gunnar Burénius
  • Patent number: 7720587
    Abstract: A method for variable operation of a vehicle transmission using rough road sensing includes defining a first set of parameters to calibrate the vehicle transmission for a smooth road condition and a second set of parameters to calibrate the vehicle transmission for a rough road condition. The method includes sensing a road condition, generating a road condition signal corresponding to the road condition, and measuring a magnitude of the road condition signal. The method includes switching from the first set of parameters to the second set of parameters to operate the vehicle transmission when the magnitude of the road condition signal exceeds a first predetermined threshold. The method includes switching from the second set of parameters to the first set of parameters to operate the vehicle transmission when the magnitude of the road condition signal is less than a second predetermined threshold that is different than the first predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike M. McDonald, William C. Albertson, Keith D. Van Maanen
  • Publication number: 20100078256
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body frame, an internal combustion engine supported on the vehicle body frame, a propeller shaft assembly operatively connected to a crankshaft of the engine, a driveshaft, a final drive unit disposed between the front propeller shaft assembly and the driveshaft, a pair of occupant seats arranged side by side in a vehicle width direction, a pedal cluster, and a reduction gear located rearward of the pedal cluster and frontward of the occupant seats. The propeller shaft assembly includes a first propeller shaft disposed at a rear of the reduction gear, and a second propeller shaft disposed at a front of the reduction gear. The second propeller shaft is offset toward a second seat side in a vehicle width direction with respect to the first propeller shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Kuwabara, Hiroaki Tomita
  • Patent number: 7680573
    Abstract: A suspension control system and a suspension control method for a vehicle control the suspension based on the condition of the road surface traveled by the vehicle in addition to information pertaining to a corner obtained from a navigation device when the vehicle approaches the corner. A microprocessor controls damping forces of suspension devices on the basis of a degree of irregularity of the road surface detected immediately preceding entry of the automobile into a turn around the corner, and corner information from the navigation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fumiharu Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7637332
    Abstract: A transmission mechanism and a pressure oil supply system therefor are provided for use in work vehicles provided with a work device externally of the body of the vehicle at longitudinal one side thereof, the transmission mechanism being simple in construction and serving to shorten the overall length of the vehicle while holding a transmission shaft interconnecting a PTO shaft and an input shaft for the work device close to a horizontal. A work vehicle provided with a work device in front of the vehicle body comprises a transmission 30 disposed between a differential gear unit 10 and an HST 20 and providing a travel cooperative mechanism, a PTO shaft projecting from the housing of the HST 20, and a PTO cooperative mechanism disposed in the housing for dividedly deriving power for the PTO shaft from the travel cooperative mechanism for the transmission of the power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg., Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Ishimaru, Shusuke Nemoto, Shigenori Sakikawa, Kenichi Takada
  • Patent number: 7617904
    Abstract: A transmission assembly for a vehicle, the transmission assembly having an energy storing mechanism linking its gear selector to the gear shifting mechanism and adapted to limit the force applied to the gear shifting mechanism through the gear selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Fritz Einboeck, Roland Ennsmann
  • Publication number: 20090276967
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pool cleaning device including an internal drive assembly mounted outside the interior cavity of the device housing. The device including a pool cleaning vehicle, the vehicle including a housing defining a body shell and the body shell including an interior cavity and the pool cleaning vehicle including a drive assembly; and an internal drive assembly, the internal drive assembly including a motor assembly for engaging the vehicle drive assembly for propelling the vehicle, the motor assembly mounted outside the interior of the body shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventor: Wing-kin Hui
  • Patent number: 7617031
    Abstract: A series arranged air compressors system includes a first air compressor and a second air compressor pneumatically connected in series in an open, closed or partially closed state of operation. The output of the second air compressor is used as a source of compressed air for an air suspension system of a motor vehicle and/or to pressurize air inflatable articles. Flow of compressed air is selectively controlled by an electronic control circuit via at least one air flow control block, and the system may further include one or more air reservoirs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Yunjun Li
  • Patent number: 7584040
    Abstract: The following steps are performed in the control method: determining a mode of operation from amongst a permanent mode and a transient mode, as a function of a set of variables comprising said estimated values; correcting the value of the speed of rotation of the outlet shaft in such a manner that: if the mode has been determined as being the permanent mode, then the moving average (L?) of the gear ratio (L) over a period (T) of a plurality of unit time intervals lies between a first threshold value (S1) that is negative and a second threshold value (S2) that is positive; and if the mode has been determined as being the transient mode, then said moving average (L?) of the gear ratio (L) lies outside the range of values defined by the first and second threshold value (S1, S2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventor: Stéphane Rimaux
  • Patent number: 7533752
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes a power unit. A fly wheel magnet on a left end side of a crank shaft, a transmission having plural gears, a transmission clutch and a shift shaft for connecting and disconnecting the transmission clutch and changing gears of the transmission are housed in a crank case of the power unit. A part of the shift shaft projects from the crank case. A projection part of the shift shaft and an output shaft of an actuator are connected outside the crank case by means of a connection body. A rod of a connection body extends vertically behind the fly wheel magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kan Mochizuki, Takaaki Imamura
  • Publication number: 20090107754
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle including a frame, a drive assembly supported by the frame, a rear wheel coupled to the frame, and a pulley assembly supported for rotation on the frame and positioned between the drive assembly and the rear wheel. The pulley assembly transfers power generated by the drive assembly to the rear wheel. The vehicle also includes a frame member positioned outboard of the pulley assembly and removably coupled to the frame to at least partially support the pulley assembly for rotation on the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Doperalski, John F. Wolanski
  • Publication number: 20090078083
    Abstract: A power take-off support portion, including a shaft hole and an outer side surface formed around the shaft hole, is formed on a transaxle housing. The outer side surface of the power take-off support portion is shaped to fit a power take-off casing supporting a power take-off shaft in a first direction. A power take-off casing includes a power take-off main casing member and a base casing member joined to each other. The base casing member is formed with an inner side surface and an outer side surface. The inner side surface and the outer side surface of the base casing member are shaped so that the power take-off shaft supported by the power take-off main casing member is oriented in a second direction different from the first direction when the inner side surface of the base casing member is fitted to the outer side surface of the power take-off support portion, and the outer side surface of the base casing member is fitted to the inner side surface of the power take-off main casing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: Shuji NISHIMOTO
  • Patent number: 7467035
    Abstract: A control system for electronically controlled vehicle dynamics control systems and ride control systems includes a system ECU and a diagnostics ECU, each having a memory with vehicle parameters stored thereon. When one of the system ECU and the diagnostics ECU is replaced, the other one communicates via a communications link the vehicle parameters stored in the memory thereof to the replaced one of the system ECU and the diagnostics ECU. The vehicle parameters stored on at least one of the system ECU and the diagnostics ECU are user modifiable, and when the vehicle parameters stored on one of the system ECU and the diagnostics ECU are modified by a user, the one of the system ECU and the diagnostics ECU on which the vehicle parameters were modified communicates via the communications link the modified vehicle parameters to the other one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Haldex Brake Products Ltd.
    Inventor: Robin Sayce-Jones
  • Publication number: 20080296081
    Abstract: A device operable to distribute driving forces to left and right wheels of a vehicle, includes: a differential mechanism, a driving-force adjuster and a differential limiter. The differential mechanism is operable to distribute a driving force from a drive source of the vehicle to the left and right wheels as distributed driving forces, while allowing a rotation difference between the left and right wheels. The driving-force adjuster is operable to adjust each of the distributed driving forces. The differential limiter is operable to limit rotation difference between the left and right wheels by applying a limiting torque to the differential mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Takuya YAMAMURA, Yuichi Ushiroda, Kaoru Sawase
  • Publication number: 20080268998
    Abstract: A planetary transmission includes a sun gear, which constitutes an input drive to the planetary transmission, a ring gear arranged around the sun gear, and a planet carrier which is designed to rotate and which carries at least one planet wheel, which planet wheel meshes with the sun gear and the ring gear. The planet carrier constitutes an output drive from the planetary transmission. The planetary transmission further includes a wet disk brake, a first set of brake disks in the brake being rotationally locked to the planet carrier and thereby in operation rotating at the rotational speed of the planet carrier. The planetary transmission further comprises an arrangement for circulation of a cooling fluid through the brake which is rotationally locked to the sun gear and thereby in operation rotates at the rotational speed of the sun gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT HOLDING SWEDEN AB
    Inventors: Tim Kingston, Mats Akerblom
  • Publication number: 20080230294
    Abstract: A power train for a vehicle includes a gearbox with an input shaft and an output shaft and is configured such that the input shaft drives the output shaft at a single speed ratio in a first direction and a single speed ratio in a second direction. The output shaft is coupleable with the front and rear vehicle axles to separately drive each axle. Further, a continuously variable transmission is connected with an engine shaft and with the gearbox input shaft such that the engine shaft drives the input shaft within a range of speed ratios from less than 1 to greater than 3. Front and rear differentials are coupled with each axle and with the output shaft and drive the axles at different speed ratios such that a base surface drives the front axle independently of the front differential when at least one rear wheel rolls upon the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: Club Car, Inc
    Inventors: Steven David Smith, Joseph George Land III, John Thomas Bobbitt III, Byron Jon Danielson
  • Publication number: 20080217863
    Abstract: A sealing assembly is provided for sealing an interface between two shafts, including a primary and secondary seal and a rotatable shaft sleeve having inner and outer sleeves forming a sealing cavity therebetween, and enclosing one of the seals. The secondary seal contacts the outer sleeve, and the primary seal contacts the inner sleeve, with the secondary seal circumscribing part of the primary seal. The seals each have a pair of sealing lips forming a sealing cavity therebetween, with one pair of sealing lips being sufficiently shaped to contact the inner sleeve, and the other pair of sealing lips being sufficiently shaped to contact the outer sleeve. A fluid fills the sealing cavities to provide a barrier to debris. The seals are bonded to a seal arm positioned adjacent the housing in contact therewith. The secondary seal is positioned between the sleeve and housing, and circumscribing the interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventor: Glen R. Beatty
  • Publication number: 20080149450
    Abstract: The invention relates to a synchronising ring for a synchronising apparatus of a switchable gear changing transmission, including a conical ring body (2) with an inner friction surface (3) and an outer installation surface, which bound the ring body 2 radially in a peripheral direction in each case and extend conically at a pre-determined friction angle about an axial synchronising ring axis (4) of the synchronising ring (1), wherein the ring body (2) is bounded in the axial direction at a largest cone diameter by a gear wheel surface (5) with a gear wheel (6) extending substantially perpendicular to the synchronising ring axis (4) and is bounded at a smallest cone diameter by a surface (7) and wherein a recess (9) is provided at the surface (7) of the synchronising ring (1) for fixing the inner ring (8) with a security against rotation (10) provided at the inner ring (8), in particular in the form of a lug (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Sulzer EUROFLAMM Germany GmBh
    Inventors: Ulf Christoffer, Marcus Spreckels
  • Patent number: 7369931
    Abstract: A method for temporarily preventing automatic gear shifting in a vehicle, comprising the steps of: preventing gear shifting as long as a traction control system indicates that at least one driven wheel is spinning, calculating a vehicle acceleration, calculating a value of a derivative of the acceleration or a value indicative of a difference between the vehicle acceleration and a previously calculated vehicle acceleration, and preventing gear shifting for a predetermined time, if the value is equal or higher than a predetermined value. A system, a computer program, a computer program product and an electronic control unit for performing the method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Scania CV AB (publ)
    Inventors: Anders Kjell, Johnny Rickman
  • Publication number: 20080078605
    Abstract: A vehicular transmission for an internal combustion engine includes lead grooves disposed on an outer periphery of a shift drum have communication portions connecting a pair of gear train establishment portions extending circumferentially along the shift drum. The communication portions include half neutral portions formed at a center thereof, extending circumferentially along the shift drum. The resulting configuration suppresses an engagement noise to a minimum during changing of a gear position through a sliding motion of a shifter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sotani, Kinya Mizuno, Seiji Hamaoka, Eiji Kittaka
  • Patent number: 7350435
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the moving direction of a motor, especially an electric motor of a transmission actuating system for gear selection and/or shifting, whereby at least one signal of the motor is detected. The inventive method is characterized in that the moving direction of the motor is validated by means of the detected signal, on the basis of the feed direction. The invention also relates to a motor, especially a gear motor or a selector motor of a transmission actuating system, especially for carrying out the method, whereby at least one device is provided for validating the moving direction of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Betelligungs KG
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Renk, Klaus Henneberger, Martin Zimmermann