Power-operated Clutch Patents (Class 192/3.55)
  • Patent number: 11214255
    Abstract: A vehicle control device comprising: a balance gradient calculation unit configured to calculate a balance gradient that is a gradient at which a propulsive force of the vehicle and a resistance force applied to the vehicle are balanced when the vehicle travels in a gear-in coasting state in which an engine is connected to a gear and the vehicle travels without supplying fuel to the engine, in a case where a traveling state of the vehicle is a neutral coasting state; and a traveling control unit configured to: switch, based on the calculated balance gradient and a specified road gradient, the traveling state of the vehicle from the neutral coasting state to the gear-in coasting state in a case where the traveling state of the vehicle is the neutral coasting state; and end, the gear-in coasting state when determining that an end condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Satoshi Hayashi, Naoki Takahashi, Shinichi Ishiguro, Kouki Natsumi
  • Patent number: 10036435
    Abstract: A vehicle having a clutch which connects an engine with a driveline which includes a multi-ratio gearbox, the clutch having an actuator which can be operated by a vehicle driver to engage and disengage the clutch, the actuator also having a control system arranged to move the clutch between fully engaged and fully released positions through a range of positions allowing variable levels of clutch slip in order to automatically reduce torsional vibrations in the driveline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: RAICAM CLUTCH LIMITED
    Inventors: Mihails Milehins, Benjamin Chetwood Struve
  • Patent number: 9982728
    Abstract: A system and method for auxiliary clutch failure detection determines a difference between a first output power of a powered system when a clutch system is controlled to engage and drive a load at a first output of the load and a second output power of the powered system when the clutch system is controlled to drive the load at a larger, second output. A control signal indicative of clutch failure is generated responsive to the difference being less than a designated threshold. The control signal may be used to implement one or more remedial actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Henry Todd Young, Jason Daniel Kuttenkuler, Jeffrey John Wolff, Aaron Craig Mellinger
  • Patent number: 9856978
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a control method and a control system of a dual clutch transmission for a vehicle. The method includes: a pre-engagement-determining step of determining whether any one of gears has been pre-engaged, by means of a controller; a clutch-moving step of generating an oscillation signal to the release input shaft and increasing a clutch position value of the release input shaft; and a signal-determining step of determining whether the oscillation signal generated to the release input shaft is sensed at the engagement input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Ho Young Lee
  • Patent number: 9777833
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission includes determining at least one of an elapsed time from adjusting a first one of at least one positive-locking shift element towards a closed configuration or a differential speed rotation of the first one of the at least one positive-locking shift element and shifting the automatic transmission to a substitute gear if the elapsed time from adjusting the first one of the at least one positive-locking shift element towards the closed configuration reaches or exceeds a time limit and/or the differential speed rotation of the first one of the at least one positive-locking shift element reaches or exceeds a rotational speed limit. A related transmission control device for an automatic transmission is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Ruben Cueppers, Markus Maurer
  • Patent number: 9618111
    Abstract: An apparatus for a learn control of an automatic transmission includes a storage unit configured to store an initial fill time value and a gain value corresponding to a revolution per minute (RPM) peak to peak of a turbine. An oil pressure applier is configured to apply an oil pressure to a non-operating friction element. An RPM measurer is configured to measure the RPM of the turbine, and a learn controller is configured to control the oil pressure applier to apply the oil pressure to the non-operating friction element during a preset reference time and control the initial fill time based on the RPM peak to peak of the turbine showing a difference between a measured value RPM of the turbine measured by the RPM measurer and a preset targeted value while a vehicle is in a coasting operation in an in gear state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Dong Kyun Kim
  • Patent number: 9217506
    Abstract: An actuating device is provided for actuating at least one shifting element shiftable through a shifting device, whereas the shifting device features a pressure space with a supply for a pressurized medium, along with a shut-off valve. It is proposed that the shut-off valve is connected in an electrically controllable and torque-proof manner to at least one shifting element, and that the electrical energy for the actuation of the shut-off valve is able to be supplied without contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Matthias Reisch, Ralf Dreibholz
  • Patent number: 8915342
    Abstract: A two stage clutch and shift actuation paddle assembly provides clutch disengagement through a first range of movement of a manually operated control lever or paddle and electronic shifting of a transmission upon movement through a second range. A return spring force generator causes a lower return force to be exerted on the generator paddle in a range of motion wherein the clutch is disengaged and a pronounced increased spring force to be exerted in advanced range of motion wherein the transmission shift actuation occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: David Cook
  • Patent number: 8725372
    Abstract: A method for adjusting the point of engagement of a friction clutch of a step-variable transmission for a motor vehicle, in particular a friction clutch of a dual clutch transmission. The friction clutch is controllably actuated by means of a clutch actuator and at least one synchronizer shifting clutch is controllably actuated by means of a shift actuator for the engagement and disengagement of a gear ratio of the spur-gear transmission. A set-point of the clutch actuator for the point of engagement of the friction clutch is adjusted as a function of a speed gradient value, which ensues from a transitional state with the friction clutch actuated and the shifting clutch actuated, once the shifting clutch is opened. The transitional state is established by setting the clutch actuator and the shift actuator to a respective transitional value substantially at the same time or, at least in sections, in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignees: GETRAG Getriebe-und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Rinck, Markus Schuerlein, Tobias Soller
  • Publication number: 20140069759
    Abstract: A transmission and control method are disclosed which ensure proper stroke pressure and minimize torque transients during a shift event. The transmission includes a clutch having a torque capacity based on a fluid pressure, a torque sensor adapted to measure a torque value that varies in relationship to the torque capacity, and a controller. The method includes varying the fluid pressure around a predetermined value, measuring a resulting torque difference with the torque sensor, and adjusting a clutch control parameter if the resulting torque difference is less than a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, Yuji Fujii, Joseph F. Kucharski, Nicholas Joseph Witte, Stephen Michael Cicala, Bradley Dean Riedle, Diana Yanakiev, Nimrod Kapas, Davorin David Hrovat
  • Patent number: 8437931
    Abstract: A method for performing gear shifting by engaging a coupling element with a gear wheel includes moving the coupling element relative to the gear wheel from a disengaged position to an engaged position, in which a particular gear is selected. A speed of the coupling element relative to a speed of the gear wheel is controlled during movement of the coupling element so that a speed difference is maintained until the coupling element reaches the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventors: Christer Asplund, Joakim Gäfvert
  • Patent number: 8281913
    Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission device is described. The transmission has an actuating unit, used for canceling a tooth-on-tooth position of coupling elements, wherein the actuating unit actuates a transmission brake when the tooth-on-tooth position is detected. The transmission also has a second actuating unit for actuating a disconnect clutch, the second actuating unit actuating the disconnect clutch when the tooth-on-tooth position is detected. The actuating unit for actuating the transmission brake and the second actuating unit for actuating the disconnect clutch are actuated in coordination with one another, in order to cancel the tooth-on-tooth position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Manfred Guggolz, Werner Hillenbrand, Wilhelmus Kok, David Ulmer
  • Patent number: 7945366
    Abstract: In a control for a motor vehicle transmission having a clutch and means for establishing and/or releasing an engagement of a toothing or of jaws of the motor vehicle transmission including a control unit for actuating the clutch for transmitting a torque to a first component of the toothing, the control unit being adapted, for the purpose of releasing a tooth-on-tooth position of the toothing, to briefly provide a control signal for adjusting the clutch to a desired clutch position (KS) in order to generate a torque pulse, the control unit determining a reaction of the motor vehicle transmission in response to the control signal from the control unit and adapting the desired clutch position (KS) as a function of the reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Daimler, AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Bartels, Manfred Guggolz, Werner Hillenbrand, Erwin Schneeberger
  • Patent number: 7912613
    Abstract: A riding type vehicle includes an automatic transmission capable of executing a shift change by a clutch actuator and a shift actuator. A clutch is controlled by the clutch actuator and is a multiplate clutch. The multiplate clutch is provided with bias member configured to enlarge a partial clutch engagement region of the clutch. The multiplate clutch is configured such that during shift change, both of the clutch actuator and the shift actuator are controlled to operate in overlapping manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Kosugi
  • Publication number: 20100185369
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to an automatic transmission, and more particularly, to an automatic transmission which alleviates a gear shifting shock generated during a forward/reverse gear shifting operation by controlling a clutch actuator to operate a clutch and interrupting a transmission of power generated from an engine during the forward/reverse gear shifting operation of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Jung-Woong Choi, Sang-Heon Lee, Sang-Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 7706949
    Abstract: A method and system for executing a shift from a first fixed gear to a second fixed gear in a powertrain system comprising a two-mode, compound-split, electro-mechanical transmission operative to receive a speed input from an engine is described. It includes deactivating an off-going clutch, and generating a time-based profile for rotational speed of an oncoming clutch. The input speed is controlled based upon the rotational speed of the oncoming clutch and an output of the transmission. The oncoming clutch is actuated, preferably when the input speed is synchronized with a rotational speed of an output shaft of the transmission multiplied by a gear ratio of the second fixed gear, preferably after a predetermined elapsed period of time in the range of 500 milliseconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jy-Jen F. Sah, Anthony H. Heap
  • Patent number: 7377374
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a point of application of the clutch of an automatic gearbox without a synchronised reverse action. The aim of said invention is to improve the determination of the point of application avoiding the use of sensorial information on an engine. For this purpose, the point of application is determined as each point of the clutch releasing where a torque transmitted by the gearbox is sufficiently important for releasing the teeth (3) of a sliding sleeve (1) in a tooth-to-tooth position against the teeth (4) of the clutch body (2) of the reverse gear toothed wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Oliver Buchhold
  • Patent number: 7014587
    Abstract: An automatic powershift gearbox with at least one gearbox assembly for selecting the respective gear ratios and with at least one multiple-disk clutch capable of being actuated in a controlled manner for holding or releasing individual elements of the planet gear, which allows gear shift operations without interrupting the torque flow. The multiple-disk clutch comprises a first and a second disk set which are in mutual engagement and can be brought into friction engagement by axial compression against one another. The first disk set is connected with a first shaft, and the second disk set is connected with a second shaft. The multiple-disk clutch is coupled by a transmission with an electric machine comprising a rotor and a stator, for bringing the two disk sets into and out of friction engagement by means of the electric machine. The rotor of the electric machine is supported rotatably and axially movable on one of the shafts by means of a gearbox for converting a rotary motion into a thrust motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Compact Dynamics GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Grundl, Bernhard Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 6884199
    Abstract: This system comprises an engine 1, a transmission device 4, a clutch 3 for engaging/disengaging the engine 1 with/from the transmission device 4, a rotational electric device 2, a power transmission mechanism 5 for inputting the rotation of the rotational electric device 2 to the transmission device, and an accumulator element 7 for accumulating electrical power supplied by the rotational electric device 2. A control unit 20 determines a gear change instruction for the transmission device 4, and if gear change instruction is determined, it disengages the clutch 3, and controls the rotation of the rotational electric device 2 in such a manner that the rotational speed of the input shaft of the transmission device becomes a target rotational speed required for a gear changing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ikurou Notsu, Akihito Okazaki, Masakazu Sasaki, Shougo Nishikawa, Mistuhiro Nishina, Hideaki Gouda
  • Patent number: 6871734
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a motor vehicle with overspeed protector. The clutch in the power train of the motor vehicle can be operated in dependency upon the engine speed in such a way that it is disengaged or operates with slip when the engine speed exceeds a preselected limit while the clutch is engaged. The threshold value of the engine speed is ascertained on the basis of the prevailing (instantaneous) engine speed and the prevailing (instantaneous) or desired increase of transmission ratio. Gear shifting errors and overspeeding of the vehicle are thus prevented in a manner which is more reliable than by following prior proposals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Klaus Kupper, Klaus Henneberger
  • Patent number: 6769523
    Abstract: A strategy for overcoming a tooth butt condition includes changing a target closed clutch position over time. When a tooth butt condition exists, a controller selectively closes a clutch to provide limited engagement between the engine and the transmission. A first target closed clutch position is used on the first attempt. If the tooth butt condition is not resolved, the controller then changes the target closed clutch position to provide a different level of engagement between the engine and the transmission. This process is repeated until the tooth butt condition is resolved, a preselected period of time expires, a maximum number of attempts has been completed or the maximum desirable closed clutch position has been used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Meritor, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald P. Muetzel, Robert A. Sayman, James H. Devore
  • Publication number: 20040118652
    Abstract: A strategy for overcoming a tooth butt condition includes changing a target closed clutch position over time. When a tooth butt condition exists, a controller selectively closes a clutch to provide limited engagement between the engine and the transmission. A first target closed clutch position is used on the first attempt. If the tooth butt condition is not resolved, the controller then changes the target closed clutch position to provide a different level of engagement between the engine and the transmission. This process is repeated until the tooth butt condition is resolved, a preselected period of time expires, a maximum number of attempts has been completed or the maximum desirable closed clutch position has been used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Ronald P. Muetzel, Robert A. Sayman, James H. Devore
  • Patent number: 6602161
    Abstract: The power train of a motor vehicle employs an electronic control unit which selects the extent of engagement of the friction clutch between the engine and the transmission by way of an electronic or fluid-operated actuator. The throttle valve for the engine is adjustable by the control unit and/or by the accelerator pedal to ensure predictable starting of the motor vehicle from standstill on a road surface having a pronounced slope and/or when the motor vehicle carries a heavy load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Fred Roar Hemmingsen, Karl Frode Ring, Ole Jonny Waerp, Torgeir Sundet, Morten Berger Gunnerud
  • Patent number: 6510371
    Abstract: Disclosed is a shift control method comprising the steps of determining if an input shift signal is a power-on upshift signal; determining if driving conditions satisfy power-on upshift learn conditions if the input shift signal is a power-on upshift signal; performing power-on upshift control if power-on upshift learn conditions are satisfied; learning an initial fill time and completing shifting; determining if shifting is completed; determining if run-up occurred during the shift operation if shifting is completed; determining if interlocking occurred if run-up did not occur; determining, if interlocking occurred, if the interlocking is above a predetermined level; and learning a fill time if the interlocking is above the predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hee-Yong Lee
  • Patent number: 6454067
    Abstract: A method and device for a coupling (2) in a motor vehicle, transmission (1) are proposed in which the coupling is controlled and regulated during three operational states via a first regulating circuit (3). The regulated quantity corresponds to the actual value of a differential rotational speed of the coupling (2). The first state corresponds to a starting operation, the second state to the operation with constant ratio and the third state exists when a gear shift under load or a change of ratio from a first to a second ratio step of an automatic transmission (1) is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Martin Vohmann, Ralf Dreibholz, Joachim Foth
  • Patent number: 6412617
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (1) is provided with: an endless transmission (14) for transmitting a driving torque; a clamping force (13-1, 13-2) coupled with the endless transmission (14) for applying a clamping force thereon; a controller (15) coupled with the clamping force (13) for influencing the driving torque by controlling the clamping force applied on the endless transmission (14); and a clutch (16) coupled with the controller (15), whereby the controller (15) is arranged to control the clutch such that the clutch (16) is allowed to slip continuously. The net effect of a practical implementation of the transmission in a vehicle is a fuel saving which, if a slip of around 5 rpm is permitted, amounts about 3-4%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Van Doorne's Transmissie B.V.
    Inventors: Engbert Spijker, Peter Bäuerle
  • Patent number: 6341680
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a shift control method for an electric-power-assist transmission having excellent operability. In the shift control method, a main clutch is put in an engaged or disengaged state in a manner interlocked with the rotation of a shift spindle, and the main clutch is put back in an engaged state after being released from an engaged state by the rotation of the shift spindle with a rotational speed thereof changed from a high speed to a low speed with predetermined timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsuo Ota, Osamu Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20010037696
    Abstract: A control device for a semiautomatic gearshift mechanism of a vehicle has a first actuator for moving a gearshift shaft for gutter selection in a first shaft movement direction. A second actuator moves the gearshift shaft for gear selection in a second shaft movement direction. The first actuator has a primary piston and at least two auxiliary pistons for moving the primary piston alternatingly in two travel directions. The primary piston has a piston body having first and second piston body end faces facing away from one another. The primary piston has first and second piston rods, wherein the first piston rod is connected to the first piston body end face and the second piston rod is connected to the second piston body end face, wherein the first and second piston rods project away form the first and second piston body end faces and extend in the travel directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Roland Meyer, Thomas Claus
  • Publication number: 20010023804
    Abstract: A shift controller (56) used with a selective clutch assembly. The selective clutch assembly includes an automatic clutch device for automatically disengaging and engaging a clutch (3) with a clutch actuator (4), and a manual clutch device for disengaging and engaging the clutch (3) upon stamping of a clutch pedal (62). In order to shift a gear position of a transmission (2) by a so-called double clutching operation, the clutch (3) is disengaged, a transmission (2) is brought into a neutral condition, the clutch (3) is engaged, an engine revolution speed is amended, the clutch is disengaged again and a certain transmission gear is engaged. When the clutch pedal (62) is kept stamped for a predetermined period after start of the shifting, however, the shifting is prohibited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Nishimura
  • Patent number: 6212966
    Abstract: In a control system for a power shuttle transmission, the transmission comprises a first clutch pack engagement of which drives a transmission output in a first direction, and a second clutch pack engagement of which drives the transmission output in a second direction, and means to engage and disengage the first and/or second clutch pack, the control system comprising control means to initiate and complete engagement and/or disengagement cycles of the first and/or second clutch pack, and wherein the control system comprises adjustment means for actuation by an operator of the transmission to adjust the said engagement/disengagement cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: AGCO Limited
    Inventors: John Robert Barton, Sion Morgan Owen
  • Patent number: 6170623
    Abstract: A clutch between the combustion engine and the manual multiple-gear-ratio transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle is disengaged or otherwise adjusted in response to a signal from a control unit which processes signals transmitted by sensors serving to monitor the positions and/or the extent of movements of one or more mobile components of the manual transmission. A signal to disengage or to otherwise adjust the clutch is generated when the monitored position(s) of and/or the magnitude(s) of force(s) acting upon one or more mobile components indicate that the operator of the motor vehicle intends to shift the transmission into or from a selected gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Eismann, Michael Salecker, Gunter J{umlaut over (u)}rgens