Differential Gearing Type (ipc) Patents (Class 180/65.235)
  • Patent number: 9718460
    Abstract: An electronic control unit is mounted on a vehicle including an internal combustion engine and electric motors, each of which is connected to a driving shaft to be capable of transmitting power. The electronic control unit is configured to compute compensation torque reducing a pulsation component of engine torque of the internal combustion engine and command a value in which required torque of the electric motor is combined with the computed compensation torque to the electric motor as a torque command value of the electric motor. The electronic control unit is configured to correct the torque command value so that the value opposite in sign to an average torque command value is not commanded to the electric motor when the average torque command value is smaller than an amplitude of the torque command value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Kawai, Takuro Kumada
  • Patent number: 9701300
    Abstract: In an accelerator-off state, a torque command Tm1* of a first motor is set such that an engine, that is in a state in which fuel injection is stopped, is subjected to motoring by the first motor. Subsequently, torque commands Tm2* and Tm3* of a second motor and a third motor are set such that a torque of the second motor becomes equal to or less than a threshold value—Tref or equal to or more than a threshold value Tref and a hybrid vehicle runs with a required torque Td*. Then, the first motor, the second motor, and the third motor are controlled by using the torque commands Tm1*, Tm2*, and Tm3*.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshimitsu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9701204
    Abstract: Provided is an in-wheel motor drive device which detects an abnormality with high precision over the entire operation range of a motor by measuring the temperatures of a lubricating oil and a motor coil. The in-wheel motor drive device includes an electric motor (1), a wheel bearing (5), a speed reducer (2), a lubricating oil supply mechanism (Jk), and a controller (U1). An oil temperature sensor (Sb) is disposed in a lubricating oil passage (29) in the speed reducer (2), and a coil temperature sensor (Sa) is disposed on a motor stator. The controller (U1) includes a motor output limit (95) that limits an electric current in the electric motor (1) when at least one of temperatures measured by the oil temperature sensor (Sb) and by the coil temperature sensor (Sa) has exceeded a corresponding predefined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenichi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9682697
    Abstract: A control system for a hybrid vehicle having an engine and motors is provided. The control system is configured to select an operating mode of the vehicle from a first operating mode in which the vehicle is powered by the engine, a second operating mode in which the vehicle is powered by two motors, and a third operating mode in which the vehicle is powered by the motor of the smaller number. The control system does not select the second operating mode when a required driving force is changed at rate greater than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Toshiki Kanada, Tatsuya Imamura, Isao Satou, Kazuyuki Shiiba, Tooru Matsubara
  • Patent number: 9682615
    Abstract: A power transmission device includes a gear mechanism, a predetermined controlling rotation element, an energy-generating motor, and a connected motor connected to the controlling rotation element. The energy storage unit is configured to store the energy generated by the energy-generating motor. The gear mechanism includes a first planetary gear mechanism, which includes a first rotation element, a second rotation element, and a third rotation element, which are mutually different. The engine is connected to the first rotation element. The energy-generating motor is connected to the third rotation element. The controlling rotation element may be at least one of the rotation elements between the second rotation element and the connected motor. The controller controls the locking of the controlling rotation element to thereby lock the second rotation element, and causes the energy-generating motor to rotate using the drive power from the engine to thereby accumulate energy in the energy storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuki Kishimoto, Hiroshi Monden, Hiroyuki Tajima, Yasunori Ohkura
  • Patent number: 9682635
    Abstract: In a vehicle has a generator and a secondary battery, when a power storage ratio of the secondary battery becomes less than or equal to a first threshold value, until the power storage ratio becomes a second threshold value, which is greater than the first threshold value, a charging control apparatus sets an upper limit of power generation voltage of the generator other than during deceleration of the vehicle, to be higher than an upper limit of the power generation voltage other than during deceleration of the vehicle when the power storage ratio is greater than the second threshold value. The charging control apparatus is provided with: a changing device configured to change the second threshold value so that the second threshold value approaches the first threshold value when a discharge-charge tendency of the secondary battery based on past data associated with the power storage ratio is a charge tendency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Michihiro Miyashita
  • Patent number: 9676266
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain mechanism includes: a first epicyclic train having first and second sun gears and a planetary gear to be coupled to the first and second sun gears; a second epicyclic train having third and fourth sun gears and a planetary gear to be coupled to the third and fourth sun gears; a first electric machine having one end coupled to the second sun gear; a second electric machine having one end coupled to the fourth sun gear; a first clutch having one end coupled to another end of the first electric machine; a second clutch having one end coupled to another end of the first clutch and another end coupled to the third sun gear; and an engine coupled to the first sun gear. Various driving modes are provided by changing the states of the first and second clutches and the operating modes of the first and second electric machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jui-Tang Tseng, Yun-jui Chung, Ching-Huei Wu, Sheng-Feng Tsai
  • Patent number: 9673653
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a high voltage traction battery for providing propulsion energy to the vehicle. A battery control module controls the operation of the battery, and also commands cell balancing out of or between cells of the battery to maintain a relative equilibrium of charge across a plurality of the cells. The battery control module is in communication with an interactive display in the vehicle or a communication device outside of the vehicle. A user can define a time period in which the vehicle is to enter a hibernation mode. During the hibernation mode, the battery control module inhibits cell balancing in the battery. Upon expiration of the user-defined time period, the battery control module enables cell balancing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Edward Loftus
  • Patent number: 9657460
    Abstract: A transmission of a wheel loader is configured so that a rotation speed ratio of an output shaft with respect to an input shaft is changed by changing the rotation speeds of a first motor and a second motor. A transmission case has an input shaft case for containing the input shaft. A lower part of the input shaft case includes a curved surface part. The curved surface part is curved to protrude downwards. The first motor and the second motor are arranged below the input shaft. At least a portion of each of the first motor and the second motor overlaps the curved surface part in a projection view in the up-down direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventor: Makoto Naito
  • Patent number: 9656654
    Abstract: A power transmission system of a hybrid electric vehicle may include a first input device, a torque transmitting device, a second input device, an output device, and a final reduction device. The first input device may receive either or both of torques of an engine and a first motor/generator. The torque transmitting device may be disposed at a rear or downstream of the first input device and selectively receive torque from the first input device. The second input device may be disposed at a rear or downstream of the torque transmitting device, convert torque of a second motor/generator, and output the converted torque. The output device may receive torque from the torque transmitting device and/or the second input device and output the torque. The final reduction device may output the torque transmitted from the output device as driving torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Kyungha Kim, Yeonho Kim, Ki Nam Kim
  • Patent number: 9656658
    Abstract: A power transmission device for a hybrid vehicle includes: a power distribution mechanism including a plurality of rotation components; a friction engagement device which is interposed between the engine and the rotation component connected to the engine; and a control device which performs a stop control for the engine and a release control for the friction engagement device so as to cause the vehicle to travel only by the power of the second rotary machine and performs an engagement control for the friction engagement device while the vehicle travels only by the power of the second rotary machine so as to perform a push-start of the engine, and the control device controls the first rotary machine so that the friction engagement device is maintained in a half engagement state at a differential rotation speed higher than a predetermined rotation speed during the push-start of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kensei Hata, Yuji Iwase, Seitaro Nobuyasu
  • Patent number: 9638302
    Abstract: An axle drive system for a motor vehicle, having a dynamoelectric drive motor (1), a shiftable superimposing transmission having a first and a second gear stage (3, 4), a shift actuator system (5) for shifting the superimposing transmission, as well as a power divider (8) driving two output shafts (10, 12). The drive motor (1), power divider shafts (9, 11), output shafts (10, 12) and dynamoelectric drive motor (1) are arranged coaxially to each other and perpendicular to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle. A particularly compact design is achieved for the axle drive system of the aforementioned type in that the shift actuator system (5) having an electric motor (14) provided for actuation purposes is in its entirety disposed in a space bounded by the first gear stage (3) on one side and the second gear stage (4) on the other side in the axial direction of the drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Tomas Smetana, Philip Wurzberger
  • Patent number: 9638292
    Abstract: A CVT (continuously variable transmission) differential is provided which includes a first drive input ring gear having internal teeth. A planetary or bevel gear differential is connected to the first drive input ring gear. The planetary differential includes a planet gear carrier, first planet gears, second planet gears, a first sun gear, and a second sun gear. Alternatively, the bevel gear differential includes a carrier that supports drive and driven bevel gears. A second drive input is connected to the planet gear carrier or bevel gear carrier. Preferably, a primary drive is connected to the first drive input ring gear, which can be an internal combustion engine or an electric motor. Preferably, a secondary drive is connected to the second drive input, which is preferably an electric motor, for example for a hybrid motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Daniel Linton
  • Patent number: 9623862
    Abstract: In a control device, a control unit controls at least one switching element of a converter to increase a voltage supplied from a battery, thus outputting the increased voltage to a rotating electrical machine. The rotating electrical machine is capable of driving, based on the increased voltage output from the converter, an internal combustion engine, and capable of charging the battery based on torque supplied from the internal combustion engine. A limit unit limits, based on a change of an available maximum output of the internal combustion engine, the increased voltage output from the converter to be equal to or lower than a predetermined upper limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akiyoshi Morii
  • Patent number: 9616883
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a mechanical oil pump that is driven by an engine and an electric oil pump that is driven by an electric motor, and is configured to activate the electric oil pump when traveling in an electric traveling mode, in which the engine is stopped and traveling is executed by a driving force from a driving motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., JATCO LTD
    Inventors: Morihiro Nagamine, Akira Takano, Shintaro Oshio, Takuro Hirano, Yoshihisa Kodama, Akihiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9592820
    Abstract: A method of controlling motor torque in coasting of a vehicle includes: acquiring information about a speed of an input shaft of a transmission detected by a detector while the vehicle is running, information about an acceleration of the input shaft of the transmission obtained from the speed of the input shaft of the transmission, and information about a state of an engine clutch; determining whether the vehicle is coasting based on the acquired information; calculating a motor torque instruction based on engine friction torque corresponding to the speed of the input shaft of the transmission, a rotary inertia of an engine, and the acceleration of the input shaft of the transmission, when the vehicle is determined to be coasting with the engine clutch disengaged; and controlling torque of a driving motor for driving the vehicle in accordance with the calculated motor torque instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Joonyoung Park
  • Patent number: 9584004
    Abstract: A regenerative power supply system and method comprises a dynamo-electric generator, an electric drive motor coupled to the generator, a transmission device coupling the generator to the electric drive motor, and an energy storage device configured to provide a backup power supply to the regenerative power supply system. An electronic control device is configured to control a flow of electricity to the electric drive motor. An energy storage management device is configured to control a flow of electricity between the electronic control device and the energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Constructive Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Barry Thompson
  • Patent number: 9573587
    Abstract: A drive control system includes a power split mechanism, a brake mechanism, a first motor, an output member, a second motor and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to; obtain at least one of a first time that is a duration of a motor driven state or a second time that is a duration of a state where the motor driven state is ended, estimate a temperature of the power split mechanism based on at least one of the first time or the second time, and allow or inhibit the motor driven state in accordance with a temperature of the power split mechanism, the first time, or the second time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kensei Hata, Yuji Iwase, Yosuke Suzuki, Akiko Nishimine, Sohei Murata
  • Patent number: 9574504
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine that generates power for rotating drive wheels, a differential mechanism that is provided between the engine and the drive wheels, and has at least three rotary elements including a first rotary element coupled to the engine, and a second rotary element coupled to the drive wheels, and a controller configured to control the engine. The controller is configured to determine whether to perform correction to increase the power generated by the engine, or perform correction to reduce the power, depending on a rotational speed of the second rotary element, when it changes a rotational speed of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shunya Kato, Akihiro Kimura, Yuma Mori, Hideki Furuta
  • Patent number: 9561804
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided which may include an energy conversion device, an energy source to supply power to the energy conversion device, and at least one controller in communication with an interface. The controller may be programmed to output a distance to empty (DTE) to the interface based on conditions of vehicle components and the energy source compensated by a distance correction factor. The controller may further include a DTE prediction architecture including a feed-forward energy consumption estimator, an energy consumption learning filter, a distance compensator, and a DTE calculator. A method for estimating distance to empty for a vehicle is also provided which may output a DTE modified by a predicted DTE range loss selected to include a distance correction factor corresponding to and correcting for the noise factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Meyer, Sangeetha Sangameswaran
  • Patent number: 9556942
    Abstract: A drive arrangement for a least one auxiliary equipment of a hybrid vehicle includes a gearbox having at least one input shaft connected to a drive internal combustion engine and one output shaft connected to driven wheels of the vehicle. The drive arrangement includes a power split device having no more than three separate input/output couplings, with a first coupling connected to the input shaft, a second coupling connected to the output shaft, and a third coupling connected to the at least one auxiliary equipment. The drive arrangement includes an auxiliary electric machine connected to one of the couplings of the power split device, and adapted to deliver torque to the at least one auxiliary equipment. The drive arrangement further includes an arrangement to disconnect the first coupling from the input shaft of the gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Blond, Thomas Justin
  • Patent number: 9539890
    Abstract: A vehicle drive device including: an input member drivably coupled to an internal combustion engine; an output member drivably coupled to wheels; a single wheel drive rotary electric machine that transfers a drive force to the output member; a speed change mechanism provided in a power transfer path that connects between the wheel drive rotary electric machine and the output member; and an inverter device that controls the wheel drive rotary electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Manabu Miyazawa, Tatsuyuki Uechi, Tatsuya Kondo
  • Patent number: 9539891
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle driving apparatus includes: an engine; a first rotator; a second rotator; a first differential mechanism configured to transmit a rotation of the engine to a driving wheel side; and a switching device configured to shift the first differential mechanism. The first rotator is coaxially disposed with the engine, the second rotator is disposed with the engine, the second rotator is disposed on a different axis from an axis of the engine to constitute a multiple-axis system, the first differential mechanism is coaxially disposed with and between the engine and the first rotator, and the switching device is disposed at an opposite side from the engine with respect to the first rotator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichi Okuda, Masafumi Yamamoto, Keita Imai, Atsushi Tabata, Keisuke Omuro, Toshiki Kanada
  • Patent number: 9533679
    Abstract: A drive control device for a hybrid vehicle is provided with a differential device including four rotary elements; and an engine, first and second electric motors and an output rotary member which are respectively connected to the four rotary elements. One of the four rotary elements is constituted by a rotary component of a first differential mechanism and a rotary component of a second differential mechanism selectively connected through a clutch, and one of the rotary components is selectively fixed to a stationary member through a brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Maruyama
  • Patent number: 9499038
    Abstract: An integrated hybrid power assembly and a vehicle including the same. The integrated hybrid power assembly includes a transmission comprising a front housing and a rear housing, a drive motor comprising a motor housing integrated with the rear housing of the transmission and a motor cover mounted to the motor housing, a speed reducer comprising a reducer housing, which is fixedly connected to the rear housing of the transmission and integrated with the motor cover of the drive motor, and a speed reducer cover mounted to the reducer housing; and a starting motor mounted to the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignees: SHENZHEN BYD AUTO R&D COMPANY LIMITED, BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Guo Tang, Yu Hua, Jing Liu, Jinchen Lin
  • Patent number: 9493063
    Abstract: A control-module implemented method for controlling a powertrain system comprising an internal combustion engine, at least one electric machine, a high-voltage battery and an electro-mechanical transmission operative to transmit torque to a driveline includes monitoring a state of charge (SOC) of a high-voltage battery configured to provide stored electrical power to a first electric machine, a second electric machine and at least one auxiliary load. A trickle-charging event is enabled only when the SOC of the high-voltage battery is less than a first SOC threshold. The trickle-charging event activates the first clutch coupled to a first planetary gear set. The trickle-charging event further coordinates a torque capacity of the activated first clutch and a charging set of torque commands between the engine, the first electric machine and the second electric machine to establish a net zero output torque condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Syed Naqi, Shaun C. Bowman, Anthony H. Heap, Sean W McGrogan
  • Patent number: 9487125
    Abstract: A system for notifying a third party as to whether a vehicle is producing or generating emissions. The system includes an internal combustion engine capable of producing exhaust gases, an exhaust pipe coupled to the internal combustion engine and for allowing passage of the exhaust gases and a sensor positioned within the exhaust pipe and configured to determine a characteristic of the exhaust gases. The system also includes a switch configured to activate and deactive a zero emissions mode, an electronic control unit (ECU) for determining whether emissions are present based on at least one of the characteristic of the exhaust gases or the zero emissions mode and an external light, controlled by the ECU, that is activated when no emissions are present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin M. Geller
  • Patent number: 9476721
    Abstract: A travel support device includes a planner adapted to plan vehicle travel modes to be respectively assigned to each of a plurality of sections into which a travel route from a current location to a destination is divided. To each of the sections, the planner is adapted to assign, based on a road load associated with each section, a travel mode among a first mode, in which the remaining energy charge of the battery of the vehicle is not maintained, and a second mode, in which the remaining energy charge of the battery is maintained. The planner is adapted to identify, from among the sections, an excessive altitude change section, in which a change of altitude is predicted to be greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and assign the second mode with priority to the excessive altitude change section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuki Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9453572
    Abstract: An electro mechanical-drive system includes a main shaft, a plurality of ball bearings disposed around the main shaft, and a plurality of roller bearing disposed around the main shaft. At least one of the ball bearings is aligned with at least one of the roller bearings along an axis perpendicular to the main shaft. The ball and roller bearings may support other components of the electro-mechanical drive system and may be arranged in a nested or staggered configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Goro Tamai, Shawn H. Swales, Norman Schoenek
  • Patent number: 9452751
    Abstract: A drive control device for a hybrid vehicle is provided with a differential device including four rotary elements; and an engine, first and second electric motors and an output rotary member which are respectively connected to the four rotary elements. One of the four rotary elements is constituted by a rotary component of a first differential mechanism and a rotary component of a second differential mechanism selectively connected through a clutch, and one of the rotary components is selectively fixed to a stationary member through a brake. The drive control device comprises: an engagement control portion configured to place the clutch or the brake in a slipping state in a decelerating state of the hybrid vehicle in a hybrid drive mode in which the engine is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoya Matsubara, Kazuyuki Shiiba, Hiroaki Kiyokami
  • Patent number: 9435415
    Abstract: An electric drive for a motor vehicle comprises a first gear stage, driveable by the electric motor, a second gear stage, driveable by the first gear stage, and a differential drive, driveable by the second gear stage. The first gear stage has a driving wheel and an output wheel, wherein the driving wheel is arranged coaxially to the output shaft of the electric motor and is rotatingly driveable by the electric motor around a first rotational axis A. The output wheel is drivingly connected to the driving wheel and is rotatingly driveable around a second rotational axis B, wherein the second rotational axis B is arranged parallel off-set to the first rotational axis A. The second gear stage and the differential drive are arranged coaxially to the second rotational axis B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventor: Theodor Gassmann
  • Patent number: 9422906
    Abstract: An apparatus for starting an engine of a mild hybrid vehicle is disclosed having low and high voltage starting devices and controlled by an electronic controller. The electronic controller is operable to use the high voltage starting device as a motor to crank the engine whenever possible so as to partially discharge a high voltage battery and facilitate the increased use of automatic stopping and starting of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donatus Andreas Josephine Kees, Anthemios Philemon Petridis
  • Patent number: 9415676
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle drive system including: a differential device provided with rotary elements respectively connected to an engine, first and second electric motors and an output rotary member; a brake for selectively fixing the rotary element connected to the first electric motor, to a stationary member; and a parking-lock mechanism preventing a rotary motion of a parking-lock gear connected to the output rotary member, when a manually-operated shifting device is operated to a parking-lock position. The control apparatus includes an engine starting control-portion configured to start the engine in a starting-mode wherein an operating speed of the engine is raised with a torque generated by the second electric motor in an engaged state of the brake, where the engine is required to be started while the vehicle has been held at rest and the rotary motion of the parking-lock gear is prevented by the parking-lock mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tetsuo Hori
  • Patent number: 9399377
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension device includes a suspension device main body configured to support a wheel of a vehicle to a vehicle body of the vehicle; an upper intervening member configured to be intervened between a vertically upper portion of the suspension device main body and the vehicle body so that a front-back stiffness of the vehicle is relatively decreased at a time of smooth-braking of the vehicle at which an absolute value of a braking force of the vehicle is relatively small, compared to at a time of non-braking of the vehicle; and a lower intervening member configured to be intervened between a vertically lower portion of the suspension device main body and the vehicle body so that the front-back stiffness of the vehicle is relatively increased at the time of smooth-braking of the vehicle, compared to at the time of non-braking of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Yoshimi, Shingo Koumura
  • Patent number: 9399978
    Abstract: A motor generator and a power converter are driven by an engine, to supply electric power to a power storage device. ECU causes the engine to start if SOC of the power storage device falls below a first threshold value, and causes the engine to stop if SOC exceeds a second threshold value which is larger than the first threshold value. During a vehicle stop, if SOC exceeds a third threshold value which is larger than the first threshold value and smaller than the second threshold value, ECU causes the engine to stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Keisuke Morisaki
  • Patent number: 9393949
    Abstract: A method and a system for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a disconnect clutch is operated in response to an engine stop request to adjust an engine stopping position during an engine shutdown. The approach may reduce engine starting time after the engine stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, David Oshinsky, Seung-Hoon Lee, Jeffrey A. Doering, Dennis Craig Reed
  • Patent number: 9391496
    Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle is disclosed which includes a casing defining a first cavity and a second cavity inside the casing. A platform is at least partially disposed inside the casing to separate the first and second cavities. The platform defines a plurality of first apertures arranged together to define a first group. An interface assembly includes a first support and a plurality of first connectors attached to the first support to define a first bundle. The first support is selectively attached to the platform to position the first bundle relative to the platform such that each of the first connectors are disposed in respective ones of the first apertures of the first group. The first connectors are coupled to a power inverter module and a first motor/generator through the first apertures of the platform to electrically connect the power inverter module and the first motor/generator to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Konstantinos Triantos, John A. Diemer, Pete R. Garcia, Kent A. Miller, Anthony P. Tata
  • Patent number: 9376103
    Abstract: A traveling mode switching controller of a hybrid electric vehicle has a velocity detection unit, a state-of-charge detection unit, and a switching control unit for selectively switching among first to third traveling modes. In the first traveling mode, an engine is deactivated and a drive motor is activated to actuate drive wheels. In the second traveling mode, the engine activates a generator to activate the drive motor. In the third traveling mode, the engine activates the drive wheels. When the state of charge is less than a first state of charge, the switching control unit performs switching between the second traveling mode and the third traveling mode at a first velocity. When the state of charge is the first state of charge or more, the switching control unit performs switching between the first traveling mode and the third traveling mode at a predetermined velocity higher than the first velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsunori Ueda, Yusuke Sasaki, Shigetoshi Hirano
  • Patent number: 9370993
    Abstract: This invention proposes a hybrid power driving device including an electric motor, an Internal Combustion engine, an automated mechanical transmission, a clutch, a main reducer and a differential, where the automated mechanical transmission includes first to sixth gear wheels forming meshing pairs, 2 synchronizers, an input transmission shaft connected with the engine, an input transmission shaft connected with the motor, and an output transmission shaft. This device provides for the motor with two gears, and provides for the engine with four gears, which can meet the practical demands of the engine and the motor. Compared with the existing parallel hybrid power coupling mechanism, the inventive device has a simple structure, a low cost, good shifting comfortability, and a high operation efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Jilin University
    Inventors: Hong Chen, Bingzhao Gao, Lulu Guo, Qiong Liang, Yu Xiang
  • Patent number: 9352739
    Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid vehicle, particularly one that includes both a primary and an auxiliary power source. According to one exemplary embodiment, the method seeks to decouple or disassociate a driver's engagement of an accelerator pedal with activation of an auxiliary power source, such as an internal combustion engine. This way, if the driver aggressively engages the accelerator pedal while the hybrid vehicle is being propelled by a battery and an electrical motor, the method will delay activation of the internal combustion engine so that the two events do not appear to be linked or connected to one another. Delaying activation of the internal combustion engine while the electric motor is under a heavy stress load may also improve the drive quality of the hybrid vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: James C. Gibbs, Kevin A. Dietrich, Larry D. Laws, Keith W. Weishuhn, John P. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 9346362
    Abstract: An energy estimation device includes: an energy change quantity estimation unit that estimates an energy change quantity of a vehicle for each of links; an axle torque calculation unit that calculates, based upon the estimated energy change quantity, an axle torque of the vehicle for a regeneration link in which energy is regenerated upon traveling of the vehicle; an allocation ratio calculation unit that calculates, based upon the calculated axle torque, an allocation ratio of a regeneration brake relative to a friction brake of the vehicle for the regeneration link; and a regeneration energy estimation unit that estimates regeneration energy of the vehicle for the regeneration link based upon the energy change quantity and the allocation ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignees: Clarion Co., Ltd., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Tagawa, Keisuke Mutou, Masaki Endo, Mika Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 9340098
    Abstract: A transmission system of a hybrid electric vehicle may include an input shaft arranged to receive torque of an engine, a first motor/generator operable as a motor or a generator, a second motor/generator operable as a motor or a generator and directly connected to an output gear, and a planetary gear set having a first rotation element directly connected to the first motor/generator and selectively connected to the input shaft, a second rotation element directly connected to the input shaft, and a third rotation element selectively connected to the output gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Kum Lim Choi
  • Patent number: 9341242
    Abstract: A transmission device with at least one electrical variator for the continuous variation of a transmission ratio and with power branching. A planetary gear unit is coupled to a transmission input shaft and to a shaft of the electrical variator, and also to a change-speed gearbox, in the area of which, in combination with the electrical variator, a number of transmission ratio ranges can be produced. Within the transmission ratio ranges, the transmission ratio of the transmission device can in each case be varied continuously by the electrical variator. Along the power path, between the shaft of the electrical variator connected to the planetary gear unit and the planetary gear unit itself, a mechanism is provided where at least part of the torque transmitted along the power path, between the electrical variator and the planetary gear unit, can be reinforced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Manuel Gotz, Gerhard Bailly
  • Patent number: 9267481
    Abstract: When there is a requirement on switching from the electrically driven drive mode to the hybrid drive mode by changing an accelerator position opening, the torque capacity is generated for the first clutch to start the engine. However, as torque capacity is at ?1, the engine rotational speed is quickly increased to the high-speed region free of the influence of the compressive reactive force of the engine; once the engine rotational speed becomes the high-speed region, the engine rotational speed is decreased as torque capacity and is at ?2. Consequently, it is possible to quickly pass through the low engine rotational speed region as the engine rotational speed torque is increased under the influence of the compressive reactive force, and avoiding the poor acceleration, as can be seen from the smooth variation of the time sequence increase of the transmission output rotational speed as indicated by ?3, is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Takamura, Yoshinori Yamamura, Hiroyuki Ashizawa, Jun Amemiya
  • Patent number: 9233612
    Abstract: An electrical energy capture system, as may be carried on a hybrid energy, electro-motive, self-powered traction vehicle, is provided. The system may be used for storing electrical power generated on the vehicle and for discharging the stored electrical power for use on the vehicle. The system includes circuitry connected to a plurality of electrical energy storage devices connected in parallel circuit to one another. The circuitry may be configured to establish a respective circuit path for charging and discharging electrical energy from each energy storage device with respect to a DC bus. The circuitry is further configured to block a flow of electrical current from any one of the storage devices to any of the other storage devices, thereby avoiding flow of currents that could otherwise circulate among the electrical energy storage devices due to electrical imbalances that may occur in one or more of the electrical energy storage devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar
  • Patent number: 9227636
    Abstract: A power transmission device includes a synchronous meshing mechanism, a braking mechanism, a shift mechanism, a parking gear, a parking mechanism, and a control unit. In the case where the shift mechanism is switched to a parking range, the control unit performs braking continuation processing for continuing the braking of the braking mechanism (step 4) regardless of a driver's braking operation, inhibits the rotation of the driven gear shaft by the parking mechanism, places a predetermined synchronous meshing mechanism in a connected state as a preparation for starting up the vehicle again, and then ends the braking continuation processing (step 5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Yamamoto, Kumiko Ohya, Takashi Horiguchi
  • Patent number: 9150090
    Abstract: In a power transmission system, a ring gear of a first speed reducer and a ring gear of a second speed reducer are coupled to each other and have the same rotational axis. An engagement portion between the ring gear and a planetary gear is formed such that, when a first motor generates a rotational torque in the forward direction, a force acts on the ring gear in a direction approaching the second speed reducer in the rotational axis direction. An engagement portion between the ring gear and a planetary gear is formed such that, when a second motor generates a rotational torque in the forward direction, a force acts on the ring gear of the second speed reducer in a direction of approaching the first speed reducer in the rotational axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshio Hiyoshi, Keiichi Ooiso, Tetsuya Otani
  • Patent number: 9139075
    Abstract: A drive unit for a motor vehicle with hybrid drive. The drive unit includes an input shaft which may be connected to the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle, a gearbox shaft which may be connected via a toothed hub of a clutch plate as an input shaft of the downstream gearbox, and an electric machine, the rotor of which is connected rotationally fixedly to the clutches. The components are accommodated in a housing having a radially extending housing wall as a bearing wall which forms a physical separation of a chamber of the electric machine and a chamber of the clutches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: ENGINEERING CENTER STEYR GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Rudolf Glassner, Helmut Kastler, Roland Heimberger, Dennis Chistian Knospe, Johannes Petritsch, Gerhard Wernick
  • Patent number: 9108501
    Abstract: A powertrain includes a countershaft, a gearset including a sun gear, a carrier connected to an engine, a ring gear releasably held against rotation and connectable to the countershaft, and pinions supported on the carrier and meshing with the sun gear and ring gear, an electric machine connected to the sun gear and connectable to the countershaft, and a second electric machine driveably connected to the countershaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Walt J. Ortmann, Brandon R. Masterson
  • Patent number: 9086001
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having an exhaust gas heat exchanger includes measuring air mass flow, engine coolant temperature (ECT), exhaust gas temperature (EGT), heat exchanger coolant temperature (HECT), and engine speed; and operating a valve to selectively provide exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas heat exchanger based on air mass flow, ECT, EGT, HECT, and engine speed. A vehicle has an engine and an exhaust heat recovery system with an exhaust gas heat exchanger and a valve configured to control exhaust gas flow. A controller for the vehicle is configured to (i) measure air mass flow, ECT, EGT, HECT, and engine speed, and (ii) operate the valve to selectively provide exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas heat exchanger based on air mass flow, ECT, EGT, HECT, and engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Angel Fernando Porras, Douglas Raymond Martin