Parallel (ipc) Patents (Class 180/65.25)
  • Patent number: 9718344
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle powertrain includes an internal combustion engine, an electric traction motor and a transmission. A first flexible coupling drivingly connects the internal combustion engine to the transmission, and a second flexible coupling drivingly connects the electric traction motor to the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventor: David Wardle
  • Patent number: 9713961
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling one or more contactors of a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) includes adjusting, via a controller, the respective actuating power provided to a respective one or more of the contactors, where adjusting of the actuating power is defined by the energized or non-energized condition of the vehicle and at least one parameter affecting holding and opening forces exerted on the respective contactor. In an example, the controller is configured to use feed forward factors defined by the at least one parameter and to adjust the dynamic actuating current by modulating the dynamic actuating current at a pulse width modulation (PWM) frequency defined by a feed forward window. The system may be configured as a plug-in electric vehicle including the rechargeable energy storage system and the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yue Fan, Andrew J. Namou, Andres V. Mituta
  • Patent number: 9714026
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle is provided with a first charge controlling device configured to maintain output of an internal combustion engine at a predetermined value or more, and to charge a power storing device with an output excess with respect to an output request for the internal combustion engine. The control apparatus includes a second charge controlling device configured to charge the power storing device with an output increment caused by upshift of a gear shifting device. The control apparatus further includes a transmission time changing device configured to extend an execution time of the upshift or to delay start timing of the upshift, in order to prevent charge power for the power storing device from exceeding an input limit value for the power storing device, if the control time of the output reduction request overlaps the control time of the upshift request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihito Kanno, Gohki Kinoshita, Hiroki Morita
  • Patent number: 9701312
    Abstract: An idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for a machine is disclosed. The machine can include an engine operably connected to a drivetrain including ground engaging propulsion members. The drivetrain can be configured to transmit mechanical energy between the engine and the ground engaging propulsion members. The idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for the machine can include a starter operatively associated with the engine and configured to effectuate ignition of the engine. The idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for the machine can further include an idle reduction engine shutdown and restart controller electronically and controllably connected to the engine and configured to shut down the engine in an engine shutdown mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Jensen, David E. Ault, Drew A. Fehr, Emily A. Morris, Jeremy T. Peterson, Kory K. Leesman, Richard D. Johnston, Layne E. Hook, Jeffrey A. Jones, II, Justin L. Steinlage
  • Patent number: 9689773
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing abrasion of an electric oil pump rotor includes sensing a driving duty of an oil pump control unit, and determining whether the sensed driving duty of the oil pump control unit is below a set reference value, wherein as a result of the determining, when the driving duty of the oil pump control unit is below the set reference value, it is determined that the electric oil pump rotor is in a worn out state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gyeong Cheol Kim, Hak Sung Lee, Seong Hwan Kim, Sang Lok Song
  • Patent number: 9682699
    Abstract: Systems and methods for shifting a transmission of a hybrid driveline that includes an electric machine that operates in a regeneration mode are presented. The systems and methods may adjust a feedforward motor torque command via an adaptive parameter in response to an error that is based on percentage of shift complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Daniel Colvin, Felix Nedorezov, Todd McCullough
  • Patent number: 9676265
    Abstract: A hybrid power train may include a first friction element installed between an engine and a motor, a second friction element installed between the motor and the output shaft, and a planetary gear set including a plurality of rotating elements, in which the second friction element comprises a brake connected to any one rotating element of the planetary gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Kum Lim Choi
  • Patent number: 9649927
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain unit comprises an engine and a gearbox device with a primary shaft connectable to a shaft of the engine via a clutch device. The gearbox device comprises a secondary shaft with an output pinion meshing with a first crown wheel of a differential, the casing of which is rigidly connected to a casing of the gearbox device. The unit comprises an electric machine configured to operate as an electric motor and as an electric generator, and having a shaft connected by a transmission to a second crown wheel of the differential. In the transmission, arranged between the electric machine shaft and the second crown wheel is an engagement device that can be operated via an electronically controlled actuator. The transmission that connects the electric machine shaft to said second crown wheel includes an auxiliary shift device configured for providing at least two different selectable transmission ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Andrea Piazza, Marco Garabello, Gianluigi Pregnolato, Fabio Pesola
  • Patent number: 9644979
    Abstract: A travel support device includes a mode planner. The mode planner selects one of a first mode, in which the state of charge of a battery is not maintained, and a second mode, in which the state of charge of the battery is maintained, based on a road load in each section on a travel route, thereby planning a travel mode. The mode planner selects from the travel route a first priority section, which is a section to be planned by giving priority to the first mode as a travel mode based on information on the travel route. The mode planner replans the travel mode when the vehicle is currently traveling at the first mode and also the remaining charge of the battery is less than the remaining charge of the battery necessary for traveling in the thus selected first priority section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuki Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9636987
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is provided in which in the neutral range or the parking range, power can be generated in a first power generation mode by engaging an odd-numbered position clutch so as to transmit a driving force of an engine to a motor/generator via a first input shaft, and power can be generated in a second power generation mode by engaging an even-numbered position clutch so as to transmit the driving force of the engine to the motor/generator via reversing means and the first input shaft. Therefore, according to the status of the odd-numbered position clutch and the even-numbered position clutch, by engaging either one thereof, it becomes possible to generate power in the first power generation mode or the second power generation mode, thus enabling power to be supplied without interruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Okubo, Kumiko Ohya, Satoshi Igaue, Hiroyuki Takeo
  • Patent number: 9636989
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle control device includes an engine, a motor/generator, an automatic transmission in which the gear ratio can be fixed by the driver's intention; and a drive wheel. The control device has an assist traveling mode and an engine generation traveling mode as hybrid modes in which the engine and the motor/generator are drive sources. The control device includes a rotational speed limit setting unit which sets a value that exceeds the upper rotational speed limit, at which the motor/generator can carry out a torque output, as the rotational speed limit of the engine motor rotational speed, and a rotational speed limit control unit for reducing the rotational speed limit to the rotational speed limit at which the motor/generator can carry out a torque output, when the engine motor rotational speed has reached the rotational speed limit and there is a torque output request of the motor/generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Amemiya, Munetoshi Ueno, Tatsuya Uchida, Noboru Kudo
  • Patent number: 9630482
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for driving the drive wheels (1) of a vehicle, comprising two sets of electric motors (2) and casings (3) (left and right). Each of the casings (3) comprises an input pinion (8) which rotates interdependently with the rotor of one of the electric motors (2) as well as with a set of gears (12) driving the ring gear (7) of a planetary gear set (4). The two planetary gear sets (4) are connected to one another by a connecting means (9) that rotates interdependently with each of the two sun gears (5) (inner planetaries). The planet carrier (6) of each of the planetary gear sets (4) rotates interdependently with a connecting means (11) of one of the drive wheels (1). The two planetary gear sets (4) perform a double differential function. The invention also relates to a method for controlling the electric motors (2) that allows the drive system to be used as a torque converter. The drive system can be fixed to the chassis frame of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: PANTERO TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Jean Raymond
  • Patent number: 9634590
    Abstract: A drive device that includes an alternating-current rotary electric machine in which currents of a plurality of phases flow; an inverter that includes switching element units for respective phases corresponding to the respective phases, and that is connected between a direct-current power supply and the alternating-current rotary electric machine and performs conversion between a direct current and an alternating current; and shunt resistors that detect currents flowing in the respective switching element units for the corresponding phases between the direct-current power supply and the switching element units for the respective phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiko Nakao, Ken Iwatsuki
  • Patent number: 9634589
    Abstract: Both downsizing of an apparatus as a whole and reduction in a product cost are attained. The preferred embodiments relate to a drive device including an alternating-current rotary electric machine, an inverter, and a case. The inverter is fixed to the case. The case and the inverter are disposed in a driving force source room. The inverter includes shunt resistors to detect currents flowing in respective switching element units for corresponding phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiko Nakao, Ken Iwatsuki
  • Patent number: 9624848
    Abstract: A control device that controls a vehicle drive device in which a first engagement device, a rotary electric machine, and a second engagement device are arranged in this order from an internal combustion engine on a power transmission path that connects the internal combustion engine to wheels. The control device is configured to determine an operation stop of the internal combustion engine in a state in which torque is transmitted from the internal combustion engine to the wheels, the control device executes rotational speed control that controls output torque of the rotary electric machine such that a rotational speed of the rotary electric machine approaches a target rotational speed and executes torque-down control that causes output torque of the internal combustion engine to decrease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Takahashi, Kohei Tsuda, Masashi Kito, Yuichi Seki
  • Patent number: 9623871
    Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus can be configured to restart an engine when the acceleration pedal is actuated in an assist-start engine speed range and can improve responsiveness of engine restart. Such a power transmitting apparatus of a vehicle can provided with a clutch for selectively transmitting or cutting off a driving power of an engine to wheels. The power transmitting apparatus can comprise an assist-controller configured to increase an engine rotational speed above an self-start rotational speed by actuating the clutch when the vehicle is decelerated and fuel supply to the engine is stopped, in response to operation of an acceleration pedal of the vehicle, when the engine rotational speed is in an assist-start range which is an engine rotational speed range lower than the self-start rotational speed and higher than a starter-start rotational speed in which the engine cannot be started by a starter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Ohashi, Jun Ishimura, Atsuho Ota, Kaoru Iida
  • Patent number: 9623857
    Abstract: A front module housing an electric motor/generator and an engine disconnect clutch for a modular hybrid transmission includes a valve body that houses a hydraulic valve which operates the engine disconnect clutch. The valve body is located at an angle relative to the bottom of the front module, providing fastener clearance for mounting the front module to an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Steven Anatole Frait
  • Patent number: 9616881
    Abstract: A vehicle and a method of controlling a powertrain are provided. The vehicle may include a controller programmed to operate a powertrain in a hybrid mode. The controller may be further programmed to, responsive to a request to operate the powertrain in electric mode, transition powertrain operation from the hybrid mode to the electric mode without shifting gears until a change in accelerator pedal position exceeds a threshold following the transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Daniel Scott Colvin, Marvin Paul Kraska
  • Patent number: 9616878
    Abstract: A control apparatus is applied to a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle includes an MG which is connected with an input shaft of a manual transmission via a first clutch that is operated by a press operation to a clutch pedal and an internal combustion engine which is connected with the MG via a second clutch. The hybrid vehicle is allowed to execute an EV traveling mode where: the internal combustion engine is stopped; the internal combustion engine and drive wheels are separated by the second clutch; and the drive wheels are driven by the MG. In the control apparatus, when the EV traveling mode is executed, a required torque is obtained based on an accelerator opening degree, and a required transmission torque is obtained based on an operation amount to the clutch pedal. And, when a smaller one of the required torque and the required transmission torque is greater than a determination value, the internal combustion engine is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takaaki Tanaka, Mitsuhiro Tabata
  • Patent number: 9617715
    Abstract: A construction machine including an internal combustion engine controlled based on a torque command, an electric motor mechanically connected to the internal combustion engine, and an electric energy storage device that supplies electric power to the electric motor, the construction machine performing work by driving a hydraulic pressure generator using the internal combustion engine and the electric motor, the construction machine including: a speed control device that controls a speed of the electric motor based on a speed command; and a torque limiter that limits the torque command relative to a torque target, wherein the torque command is limited by the torque limiter in such a manner that a rate of change with time of the torque command is limited to be equal to or less than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Ishida, Hidetoshi Satake, Yusuke Kajita, Shiro Yamaoka
  • Patent number: 9610936
    Abstract: A travel route of a vehicle from a present location to a destination is divided into sections. For each of the sections, a travel load of when the vehicle travels in the section in the EV mode is set. A mode planner plans one of the EV mode and the HV mode as the travel mode for each of the sections. A section adjuster adjusts the sections so that sections relatively close to a destination become shorter than sections relatively distant from the destination. The mode planner plans either one of the EV mode and the HV mode as the travel mode of the section for the adjusted sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuki Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9599054
    Abstract: When an accelerator pedal is released while a vehicle is running, a lockup clutch is unlocked. Simultaneously, ignition timing is retarded and a fuel-cut operation to stop fuel supply to an internal combustion engine is performed. However, when it is predicted that a fuel recovery is to be performed after unlocking the lockup clutch, execution of the fuel-cut operation is prohibited. A shock due to the fuel recovery after the fuel-cut operation performed when the accelerator pedal is released is thereby prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Kawamoto, Masahiro Iriyama
  • Patent number: 9592821
    Abstract: A drive system and a method of driving a vehicle (1). The drive system includes (1) a combustion engine (2), a gear box (3), an electric machine (9), and a planetary gear. A control unit (18) has access to information concerning the moment (Tel) of the electric machine (9) for driving the vehicle (1) and to calculate the moment (T1c) of the combustion engine (2) for driving the vehicle (1) at at least a first operation occasion (D1) when there is a known relation between the moment (Tel) of the electric machine and the moment (T1c) of the combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SCANIA CV AB
    Inventors: Niklas Pettersson, Mikael Bergquist, Karl Redbrandt, Mathias Björkman, Johan Lindstrom
  • Patent number: 9592823
    Abstract: Control device of a vehicle including an engine, electric motor, and clutch in a power transmission path between the engine and motor, which increases the engine's rotation speed in a release or slip state of the clutch after self-sustaining operation of the engine is enabled after starting, providing either a first engine start control where control for engagement of the clutch starts before rotation speed of the engine reaches that of the motor when the engine's rotation speed is increasing, or second control where control for engagement of the clutch starts after the engine's rotation speed is synchronized with that of the motor, or during the process of synchronization, by reducing the engine's rotation speed after it exceeds that of the motor during an increase in the engine's rotation speed, the device using the first or second engine start control in accordance with a vehicle state when starting the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoki Nakanishi, Masato Yoshikawa, Shintaro Matsutani
  • Patent number: 9586597
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes prompting a user to change an operating mode of an electrified vehicle from a first mode to a second mode that is different than the first mode. The first mode is a default mode. The second mode is a non-default mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan Michael Bolger, Angel Fernando Porras, Christopher Adam Ochocinski, William David Treharne
  • Patent number: 9586578
    Abstract: A method for learning a touch point of an engine clutch for a hybrid electric vehicle includes controlling a speed of an engine to have an idle speed. A fluid pipe of a clutch actuator is refilled with a working fluid by driving a driving motor in an idle control state of the engine, a speed of the driving motor is synchronized with the speed of the engine, and then the engine clutch is engaged. The engine clutch is released after the refill is performed, and the speed of the driving motor is decreased. A working fluid is applied so that the engine clutch is operated in an engagement direction by operating the clutch actuator, and a state change of the driving motor is detected. The touch point of the engine clutch is determined based on the state change of the driving motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Seong Wook Moon, Song Il Park
  • Patent number: 9579991
    Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, controlling a torque output of an electric machine of an electrified vehicle based on estimated loads present during a transmission engagement of the electrified vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Steven Yamazaki, Hai Yu, Bernard D. Nefcy, Felix Nedorezov, Wei Liang
  • Patent number: 9580070
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle capable of selecting between a state where a clutch coupling an engine and a motor is engaged and the vehicle travels by drive power of the engine, and a state where the clutch is released and the vehicle travels with the engine stopped, wherein, if there is a request to restart the engine while the engine is rotating after control to release the clutch and stop the engine has been started, then upon the condition that the engine number of revolutions is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, and in a state where the output torque of the motor is limited to a previously established torque or less, control to increase the transmission torque capacity of the clutch is implemented, whereupon the output torque of the motor is increased to a torque that cranks the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kensei Hata, Yuji Iwase, Yosuke Suzuki, Koichi Kato, Seitaro Nobuyasu, Taro Moteki
  • Patent number: 9579964
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain unit comprises an engine and a gearbox device with a primary shaft that can be connected to a shaft of the engine via a clutch. The gearbox device comprises a secondary shaft with an output pinion meshing with a first crown wheel of a differential, the casing of which is rigidly connected to a casing of the gearbox device. An electric machine of the unit is configured to function as electric motor and an electric generator, having a shaft connected by a transmission to a second crown wheel of the differential. In the transmission, which is arranged between the electric machine shaft and the second crown wheel is an engagement device that can be driven via an actuator. The electric machine shaft is connected to the engine shaft on a side opposite of the gearbox device. The transmission includes a gear-reduction jump constituted by a belt transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Andrea Piazza, Marco Garabello, Gianluigi Pregnolato, Fabio Pesola
  • Patent number: 9579961
    Abstract: A modular hybrid vehicle uses multiple different modular battery units in a vehicle. New batteries can be added, or removed. The batteries can each be associated with a separate electric motor. Each battery individually drives a motor, allowing the characteristics of limited slip or all wheel drive. Also, the batteries can be replaced, or added to, to provide more battery power to the vehicle. There may be sensors at the battery that sense various characteristics and report those characteristics wirelessly to a central controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Inventor: Scott C Harris
  • Patent number: 9566977
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, operation of a driveline disconnect clutch is adjusted to compensate for clutch wear and manufacturing tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, James William Loch McCallum, Seung-Hoon Lee, Gregory Michael Pietron, Yuji Fujii
  • Patent number: 9567964
    Abstract: A control device that controls a vehicle drive device. A starting control section executes internal combustion engine starting control in which the internal combustion engine in a stationary state is started while causing the disconnecting engagement device to transition from a disengaged state to a direct engagement state. A timing decision section that decides, on the basis of a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine, a supply start timing to start supply of a hydraulic pressure to a specific engagement device, which is one of the plurality of shifting engagement devices and is caused to transition from a disengaged state to a direct engagement state in order to establish a target shift speed for the speed change mechanism after a change, in the case where the target shift speed is changed during execution of the internal combustion engine starting control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kohei Tsuda, Tomohiro Onouchi
  • Patent number: 9561704
    Abstract: First circulation portions switch a flow of a heat transfer medium such that one of the heat transfer media for two systems selectively circulates through a radiator flow path or a first bypass flow path. Second circulation portions switch the flow of the heat transfer medium such that the heat transfer media for the two systems selectively circulate with respect to a second flow path group. The first circulation portions and the second circulation portions are adapted to switch the flow of the heat transfer medium so as to form a first circulation circuit for allowing the heat transfer medium to circulate among a first flow path group, the second flow path group, and a first pump, as well as a second circulation circuit for allowing the heat transfer medium to circulate among the first flow path group, the second flow path group, and a second pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norihiko Enomoto, Nobuharu Kakehashi, Michio Nishikawa, Yasumitsu Omi, Takashi Yamanaka, Masayuki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 9550435
    Abstract: An angular acceleration monitor may monitor whether or not an angular acceleration of a wheel detected by an angular acceleration detector is equal to or smaller than an acceptable angular acceleration (W) that is calculated with the following formula: W=k1×R×Tt/m/r2 where k1 is a constant, Tt is a total drive torque that is a sum of drive torques of all motor units that drive wheels of the vehicle, m is vehicle mass, r is tire radius, and R is reduction ratio of a reducer unit interposed between the motor unit and the wheel. A slip-responsive controller causes, if it is determined that the acceptable angular acceleration is exceeded, a motor controller to reduce a drive torque of the motor unit(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayoshi Ozaki, Koichi Okada, Kenichi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9545841
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain unit comprises an engine, and a gearbox device with a primary shaft connectable to a shaft of the engine via a clutch. The gearbox device comprises a secondary shaft with an output pinion meshing with a first crown wheel of a differential, the casing of which is rigidly connected to a casing of the gearbox device. An electric machine is configured to function as an electric motor and an electric generator, having a shaft connected by a transmission to a second crown wheel of the differential. In the transmission, arranged between the electric machine shaft and the second crown wheel is an engagement device that can be actuator driven. The electric machine shaft is connected to the engine shaft, on a side opposite to the gearbox device by a belt transmission that controls vehicle auxiliary devices, which are mounted coaxially with respect to the electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Andrea Piazza, Marco Garabello, Gianluigi Pregnolato, Fabio Pesola
  • Patent number: 9539892
    Abstract: The transmission includes an input shaft rotatable about a first axis of rotation, and a countershaft arranged substantially parallel with the input shaft and rotatable about a second axis of rotation. An output member is operatively connected to rotate in unison with the countershaft. Multiple pairs of intermeshing gears are included, each having a respective synchronizable gear that rotates about one of the input shaft and the countershaft, and a respective fixed gear mounted to the other one of the input shaft and the countershaft to rotate in unison therewith. An electric motor has a rotor concentric with and rotatable about the first axis of rotation. A first synchronizer is selectively engageable to synchronize rotation of the rotor with the input shaft. A second synchronizer is selectively engageable to synchronize rotation of the rotor with one of the synchronizable gears that rotates about the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Craig S. Ross, Scott H. Wittkopp
  • Patent number: 9534665
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product that may include an axle assembly with an electrical machine that may be interconnected with the axle assembly. A power transfer unit may be connected between the electrical machine and the axle assembly. The power transfer unit may include a planetary gear set and may include an engagement mechanism that in combination may provide a low range, a neutral mode and a high range between the electrical machine and the axle assembly. A first gear set may be engaged between the electrical machine and the power transfer unit and a second gear set may be engaged between the power transfer unit and the axle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thaddeus Kopp
  • Patent number: 9534823
    Abstract: A motor driving device and an air conditioner including the same are disclosed. The motor driving device includes a rectifier to rectify input AC power, a boost converter to boost power rectified by the rectifier, a capacitor to store a pulsating voltage from the boost converter, an inverter comprising a plurality of switching elements, the inverter transforming AC power, using a voltage across the capacitor, and outputting the transformed power to a motor, a regenerative power consuming unit arranged between the capacitor and the inverter, to consume regenerative power from the motor, and a switching driving unit to output a switching control signal to a switching element in the regenerative power consuming unit while outputting an operation control signal to an inverter controller when the voltage across the capacitor is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Gwigeun Park, Jaeboo Eom, Kihong Kim
  • Patent number: 9527505
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a transmission of a hybrid vehicle's driveline are presented. In one example, the systems and methods estimate a driveline disconnect clutch stroke pressure and gain via extending a line from a non-zero driveline disconnect clutch torque capacity to a zero driveline disconnect clutch torque capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander O'Connor Gibson, Todd McCullough, Felix Nedorezov, Akshay Bichkar, Stuart N. Ford, Walter Joseph Ortmann
  • Patent number: 9522642
    Abstract: An oil supply device that supplies oil to a vehicle drive device that includes an input member drivably coupled to an internal combustion engine, a rotary electric machine for driving wheels, an output member drivably coupled to the wheels, a speed change device that includes a shifting engagement device and that at least transfers rotation of the input member to the output member with the speed of the rotation changed, and a decoupling engagement device that decouples the input member from the speed change device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomomi Ishikawa, Kazuhito Enomoto, Kazuyuki Noda, Satoshi Nishio, Keiji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9522669
    Abstract: A method is provided for optimizing power consumption of a vehicle which may include sending data from a vehicle Electronic Control Unit and vehicle Global Positioning System receiver to a network cloud and/or server upon starting the vehicle, calculating a most probable final destination and most probable optimized route of the vehicle in the network cloud and/or server based on the sent vehicle data, and calculating a most probable driving mode map in the network cloud and/or server. The method may further include calculating an optimized power utilization of propulsion sources for the vehicle in the network cloud and/or server, returning the optimized power utilization of propulsion sources to the vehicle from the network cloud and/or server, and using the optimized power utilization of propulsion sources to control drive train modes and/or peripheral equipment of the vehicle during driving in order to optimize the power consumption of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Johan Lars Engman, Rickard Arvidsson
  • Patent number: 9499159
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus uses a travel mode selection unit to select between an EV travel mode, an engine travel mode, and an engine generation mode depending on comparisons between an engine generated power cost, an EV effect, and a surplus electric energy. In such manner, according to a travel condition of a vehicle, an appropriate travel mode is selected for an improvement of fuel consumption efficiency. The vehicle control apparatus also computes a fuel consumption decrease or a fuel consumption increase for each of a plurality of travel modes based on an engine efficiency and an MG-INV efficiency. In such manner, fuel consumption increase/decrease for every travel mode may be computed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mutsuaki Gotoh, Takashi Satoh, Masanori Sugiura, Mitsuharu Higashitani, Mamoru Mabuchi, Motoyoshi Hatta
  • Patent number: 9493073
    Abstract: A device for displaying information in a hybrid vehicle has a display instrument which has a plurality of regions for displaying the current operating state of at least one internal combustion engine and at least one electric motor of the hybrid vehicle. The display instrument has a display region in which it is possible to display whether it is possible to drive the hybrid vehicle solely using the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Reimund Limbacher, Guenter Schiele, Yaokui Xiong, Benjamin Gutmayer
  • Patent number: 9487216
    Abstract: A method for determining the efficiency of an electric energy system of a hybrid vehicle includes determining a measure representative of a relation between the electrical brake energy and the mechanical brake energy, by determining a requested brake energy for a first vehicle retardation, and by determining an actual electrical brake energy and the actual mechanical brake energy during the vehicle retardation, determining a new measure representative of a relation between the electrical brake energy and the mechanical brake energy at a subsequent second similar vehicle retardation, comparing the determined measures representative of a relation between the electrical brake energy and the mechanical brake energy of the first and second vehicle retardations, where the actual efficiency of the energy system is obtained from the change in the measure representative of a relation between the electrical brake energy and the mechanical brake energy of the first and second vehicle retardations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Jonas Storm, Jörgen Kjellberg
  • Patent number: 9488146
    Abstract: In a control apparatus for a general-purpose internal combustion engine including a generator as a power supply, the generator includes a main generator coil supplying power to the stepping motor, and an auxiliary generator coil supplying power to an ignition device of the engine. The apparatus includes ignition timing controller for, when starting the engine by a manual starter, detecting that an engine speed reaches or exceeds a predetermined engine speed not exceeding a connecting rotation speed of a centrifugal clutch to retard an ignition timing of the engine, thereby suppressing increase in the engine speed to less than the connecting rotation speed, and for restoring the ignition timing to its normal timing after a predetermined time elapses from start of retarding the ignition timing. Accordingly, it suppresses overshooting of an engine speed above the connecting rotation speed even if a delay occurs in closing a throttle valve by a delay in activating the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Arai, Toyokazu Kawasaki, Akihito Kasai, Kentaro Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 9476461
    Abstract: An adapter module for a dual clutch transmission in a drivetrain is provided. The dual clutch transmission has a first input shaft and a second input shaft concentric with the first input shaft, a mainshaft, an output shaft, and a countershaft offset from the first and second input shafts. The countershaft is drivably connected to the first input shaft, the second input shaft, and the mainshaft. An alternative power source including an electric machine is provided for the drivetrain. An adapter module is disposed between the dual clutch transmission and the alternative power source. The adapter module has an adapter gearset connecting the electric machine to the dual clutch transmission and at least one clutch configured to (i) selectively drivingly connect the electric machine to the output shaft, and (ii) selectively drivingly connect the electric machine to the countershaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Alan Genise
  • Patent number: 9475489
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a running mode change that prevent shock generated when releasing an engine clutch in changing from a running mode to another running mode. The method includes detecting, by a controller, a running mode change occurring in the hybrid vehicle and determining whether to change a state of the engine clutch from a lock-up state to an open state while the running mode change is being processed. The controller is further configured to slip-control the engine clutch to prevent torque occurring at a point in time when the engine clutch is changed to the open state from being transmitted to a driving shaft connected to the transmission, when the state of the engine clutch is determined to be changed from the lock-up state to the open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Sang Joon Kim
  • Patent number: 9477236
    Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present discourse includes, among other things, controlling a vehicle by pressurizing a transmission pump in response to an anticipated shift change trigger. The anticipated shift change trigger may include touching a shift device of the vehicle, or detecting that a vehicle occupant is in proximity to the shift device of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Colvin, Francis Thomas Connolly, Marvin Paul Kraska, Bernard D. Nefcy, Hussam Makkiya
  • Patent number: 9475488
    Abstract: A control system for a hybrid drive unit for avoiding an overcharging and an over discharging of a battery when starting or stopping an engine. The control system selects a speed ratio where an amount of an electric power to be stored into the battery is large or to be discharged from the electric storage device is small if a state of charge of the battery is lower than a first threshold value (at step S4). The control system selects a speed ratio where an amount of an electric power to be discharged from the battery is large or to be stored into the battery is small if a state of charge of the electric storage device is higher than a second threshold value (at step S7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yohsuke Tagawa, Shunya Kato, Atsushi Tabata, Tatsuya Imamura
  • Patent number: 9469289
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a controller configured to, in response to an anticipated vehicle route for a current drive cycle including at least two preferred electric drive (“EV”) zones, control an engine to charge a battery in response to a battery SOC falling below various thresholds at various portions of the vehicle route. The controller controls the engine to charge the battery in response to the battery SOC falling below a first threshold and the vehicle not having entered the first EV zone, in response to the battery SOC falling below a second threshold and the vehicle having entered the first EV zone but not the second EV zone, and in response to the battery SOC falling below a third threshold and the vehicle having entered the second EV zone. The first threshold is greater than the second threshold, and the second threshold is greater than the third threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Hai Yu