Engine Controlled By Transmission Patents (Class 477/107)
  • Patent number: 9604525
    Abstract: A vehicle-drive-device control device controls an operating point of the engine by adjusting a torque of a first electric motor, such that a sum of the engine torque and the first electric motor torque is balanced with a torque of an input-side rotating element of a fluid transmission device, which is generated depending on a speed ratio of the fluid transmission device. The control device obtains the input-side rotating element torque based on the engine rotation speed indicated by a target engine operating point, and to determine the first electric motor torque based on the obtained torque and the engine torque indicated by the target engine operating point. The control device adjusts the first electric motor torque while giving/receiving the electric power between the first and second electric motors, to make the speed ratio lower when a temperature of operating oil is low, than when the temperature is high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Tatsuya Imamura, Tooru Matsubara
  • Patent number: 9593468
    Abstract: A work implement requirement determination unit of a work vehicle determines a work implement required power based on the operation amount of a work implement operating member and the work implement pump pressure. A transmission requirement determination unit determines a transmission required power based on the vehicle speed and the operation amount of the accelerator operating member. When the sum of the work implement required power and the transmission required power is greater than a first distributable power that a predetermined preferential distribution power subtracted from a load upper limit power of the engine leaves, a distribution ratio determination unit allocates the smaller of a transmission compensation power and the transmission required power to a power transmission device and distributes the remainder of the first distributable power to the work implement pump and to a power transmission device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Yamada, Shunsuke Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 9586571
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of controlling input torque of a powered vehicle. The vehicle includes a transmission having an input shaft, an output shaft, and a countershaft. The method includes providing input torque to the input shaft, determining a rotational acceleration of the countershaft, and measuring vehicle speed. The method also includes determining a threshold based on the measured vehicle speed. The measured countershaft acceleration is compared to the threshold and the input torque is controlled based on the result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Kreese, Avery T Sheets
  • Patent number: 9580065
    Abstract: Disclosed in the present invention is a dual-structured power output apparatus of an electric drive and power system that provides a means for outputting both mechanical power and electrical power. It comprises dual motor/generators having two stator assemblies, two rotor assemblies and a power transmission unit all integrated into a single housing for easy mounting. The power transmission unit is disposed adjacent to the two motor/generators and coupled on both ends to rotating shafts mechanically linked to the rotor assemblies such that they are rotatable relative to each other. It function is to change the rotational speed and torque of at least one of the rotors in order to reduce weight and physical size of the apparatus, and thus significantly improving the power density and capability. The structure of the apparatus is well-suited to improve the performance and fuel efficiency of the prior art hybrid powertrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Altigreen Propulsion Labs Private Limited
    Inventors: John F. Bangura, Lasse Moklegaard, Amitabh Saran
  • Patent number: 9534686
    Abstract: In order to reduce the amount of time from when signals are sent to solenoid valves 19, 23, 24 for adjusting hydraulic pressures inside hydraulic pressure chambers of various hydraulic devices 7, 8, 14 assembled in a continuously variable transmission device until the hydraulic pressures are actually changed is shortened, the solenoid valves 19, 23, 24 adjust the hydraulic pressures inside hydraulic pressure chambers connected to hydraulic introduction paths where the solenoid valves 19, 23, 24 are provided by adjusting apertures of the solenoid valves 19, 23, 24 set according to duty cycles, and a controller 16 for the solenoid valves 19, 23, 24, when the apertures of solenoid valves 19, 23, 24 are changed beyond specified values to desired apertures, adjusts the apertures beyond the desired apertures to a state where the apertures have been changed a maximum amount, then after a specified amount of time, returns the apertures to the desired apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takumi Shinojima, Hiromasa Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9534687
    Abstract: A vehicle control device has a controller configured to control a hydraulic pressure required for shifting of a sub-transmission based on an input torque to the sub-transmission during the coordinated shift, and to execute limitation processing in which, when an instruction to execute specific control causing fluctuation in the input torque to the sub-transmission during the coordinated shift is issued, execution of the specific control is prohibited or the specific control is executed by limiting a control amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoya Onozato, Masahiro Iriyama
  • Patent number: 9523315
    Abstract: An engine control device for work vehicle includes: a target rotation speed setting unit that sets a target rotation speed of an engine corresponding to an operation amount of an accelerator pedal; a rotation speed control unit that controls a rotation speed of the engine according to the target rotation speed; a travel driving unit that transmits rotation of the engine to wheels via a torque converter; a speed ratio detection unit that detects a speed ratio between an input shaft and an output shaft of the torque converter; and a target rotation speed correction unit that corrects the target rotation speed set by the target rotation speed setting unit so as to increase the target rotation speed based on the speed ratio when the operation amount of the accelerator pedal is smaller than a predetermined value and the speed ratio detected by the speed ratio detection unit is smaller than a predetermined value within a range which is equal to or greater than 0 and less than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: KCM Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Hyodo, Isamu Aoki, Tetsuji Tanaka, Keigo Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 9505414
    Abstract: A device and method for estimating the charge of a motor vehicle. A device for estimating the charge of a combustion or hybrid powered motor vehicle comprising an automatic transmission, comprising a module for determining the charging of the vehicle capable of determining if the vehicle is charged and an activation module for activating a program for controlling the automatic transmission on the basis of the determination of the charging of the vehicle. The module for determining the charging comprises a first unit for estimating a first slope value on the basis of the acceleration of the vehicle derived from the driving force and the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle, a second unit for estimating a second slope value on the basis of the moment of inertia applied to a non-driving wheel of the vehicle and the engine and resistant torques and a third unit for determining the charging of the vehicle on the basis of the first and second slope values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Gregory Planche, Benoit Verbeke, Kamal Zaoui
  • Patent number: 9494232
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a transmission range selector connected to a transmission of a powertrain system is described. The transmission range selector indicates one of a plurality of ranges including Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive. The method includes, upon detecting a change in a target transmission range, monitoring whether a signal output from an on-board sensor indicates an achieved range position of the transmission. When the signal output from the on-board sensor does not indicate that the target transmission range has been achieved, monitoring a transmission incorrect direction metric, monitoring a transmission unintended propulsion metric, and monitoring a metric associated with achieving the target transmission range. A fault is detected when any one of the transmission incorrect direction metric, the transmission unintended propulsion metric and the target range achievement elapsed time metric is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Brian A. MacFarlane
  • Patent number: 9481356
    Abstract: When a K0 clutch 34 is interrupted to stop a direct injection engine 12 during vehicle running, if a stop position of a crankshaft 114 is out of a range of a target stop range ?target, the once interrupted K0 clutch 34 is temporarily frictionally engaged to slightly rotate the crankshaft 114. As a result, the crankshaft 114 stopped near compression TDC (top dead center) is rotated to and stopped in a minimum region of pumping energy in combination with a pumping action. Since the minimum region of the pumping energy overlaps with the target stop range ?target suitable for ignition start associated with a small assist torque at the time of engine start, the ignition start can properly be performed at the next engine start and the assist torque at the time of engine start can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoki Nakanishi, Yasuyuki Kato, Yukihiko Ideshio, Susumu Kojima
  • Patent number: 9470309
    Abstract: The present invention executes a desired gear shift of an automatic transmission using gear shift modeling even when there are three control inputs to two target gear shift values. Setting torque share ratio as a constraint on the equation of motion for the automatic transmission is suitable for controlling the transfer of engaging unit torque, which is considered to be difficult in variable speed control, and allows solving of the equation of motion. Viewed from a different angle, because the torque share ratio, which represents the torque transfer, has been set as a constraint, any gear shift pattern can be handled with a single gear shift model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiji Masunaga, Yoshio Hasegawa, Keisuke Ota
  • Patent number: 9421978
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission includes a variator, a sub-transmission mechanism, target value setting means configured to set a speed ratio corresponding to a select gear position as a target value of a through speed ratio which is an overall speed ratio of the variator and the sub-transmission mechanism, shift control means configured to perform a variator shift of downshifting the variator so that the through speed ratio reaches the target value and a coordinated shift of upshifting the variator to maintain the through speed ratio while downshifting the sub-transmission mechanism immediately after the variator is downshifted, and torque increasing means configured to increase a torque input to the continuously variable transmission from the power source more than a torque before the determination of the downshift instruction during the coordinated shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: JATCO LTD
    Inventors: Mamiko Inoue, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Masato Mori
  • Patent number: 9410620
    Abstract: An automatic transmission shifting control including: a shifting target value calculating portion setting shifting target values, torque of a rotary-member on the output shaft side, and rate of change of rotating speed of a rotary-member on the input shaft side; a manipulated calculating portion setting manipulated amounts, a torque of the rotary-member on the input shaft side, a torque capacity of one coupling device engaging for a transmission shifting-action, and torque capacity of other coupling devices releasing the shifting-action; a torque assignment ratio calculating portion setting torque assignment ratios to transfer through the respective coupling devices to engage and release the shifting-action; when a second-shifting-action is required during a preceding first-shifting-action according to a first-shifting-model, the manipulated calculating portion switching the first-shifting-model corresponding to the first-shifting-action to a second-shifting-model corresponding to the second-shifting-action,
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shogo Tsuge, Seiji Masunaga, Yoshio Hasegawa, Keisuke Ota
  • Patent number: 9399406
    Abstract: A method for dynamic control of an electric vehicle operable based on a throttle value received from a throttle and a default throttle map correlating default output values with throttle values, the method including: determining a user parameter; detecting a condition indicative of perturbation; in response to detecting the condition indicative of perturbation, determining a replacement output value for a first throttle value based on the user parameter; and controlling vehicle operation to meet the replacement output value in response to receipt of the first throttle value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Boosted, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjay Dastoor, John Ulmen, Salomon Trujillo, Matthew Tran
  • Patent number: 9399467
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling alternator voltage during a remote engine start (“RES”) event is provided. The method includes receiving an RES command into at least one control unit of the system. The method further includes starting an engine in response to receiving the RES command and operating an alternator in a first voltage mode where the alternator is operating at a first voltage V1 to charge a vehicle battery. The method further includes detecting a brake pedal has been pressed with a brake switch. The method further includes operating the alternator in a second voltage mode where the alternator is operating at a second voltage V2, which is less than the first voltage V1, to charge the vehicle battery based on detecting the brake pedal has been pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Andrew M. Bucci, Brian K. Lickfelt
  • Patent number: 9393868
    Abstract: A method and system for improved driver reward display functionality. A driver reward is calculated based on inputs, such as freight fuel, fuel economy, and % idle. The driver reward system configures and displays a primary driver reward image for various menu selections. The primary driver reward image is configured to indicate whether the driver reward is at full penalty, partial penalty, neutral, partial bonus, or full bonus. The image is displayed in one color if above an expected value and another color if below the expected level. Images that indicate to the operator of the vehicle the impact of each input on the overall driver reward or whether each input is improving or worsening may be displayed. A secondary driver reward image may also be displayed to indicate a specific bonus or penalty in miles per hour and speed limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Zachary Slaton, Steven Karl Jahns, Josef Lotz, Jennifer Kim, Jason Morrow, John William Arthur Doll
  • Patent number: 9395018
    Abstract: A method of controlling a device having restricted movement. A controller is provided for controlling the operation of the device using a control algorithm. A normal operation control method is programmed onto the controller and is selectively activated by the controller to generate a normal control signal. A forcing control method is also programmed into the controller and selectively activates a forcing control signal. The normal operation control signal provides regular operation of the device, while the forcing control signal causes the device to operate in a manner that will correct the operation of the device when a restricted motion of the device is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Labataille, Robert D. Keefover, David Kaitschuck, Murray Busato
  • Patent number: 9296384
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a rotary electric machine that generates driving force for the vehicle, and a control unit that controls the internal combustion engine on the basis of a state of the vehicle. When the internal combustion engine is started in response to a request for the driving force, the control unit controls the internal combustion engine such that ignition timing of the internal combustion engine while a first mode is selected is later than the ignition timing while a second mode is selected. The vehicle is more likely to be driven using the rotary electric machine in a state where the internal combustion engine is stopped in the first mode than in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Makoto Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9291107
    Abstract: Approaches to control engine overspeed are provided. Engine overspeed is controlled by one or more mechanisms that operate the intake and/or exhaust valves of the engine to interrupt the combustion cycle. In use, the “combustion interrupter” mechanism(s) actuate the intake and/or exhaust valves according to, for example, one or more control strategies in order to interrupt the combustion cycle and/or cause the engine to expend energy to move the pistons through a complete cycle in an aim to retard engine speed. The engine's cam(s) can include one or more sets of variable valve timing lobes that operate the intake and/or exhaust valves of the engine in order to, for example, interrupt the combustion cycle. The combustion interrupter mechanism can additionally or alternatively include one or more computer controlled actuators that operate the intake and/or exhaust valves in order, for example, to interrupt the combustion cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Bryan Kelly Ross, James Castner
  • Patent number: 9266445
    Abstract: A method for dynamic control of an electric vehicle operable based on a throttle value received from a throttle and a default throttle map correlating default output values with throttle values, the method including: determining a user parameter; detecting a condition indicative of perturbation; in response to detecting the condition indicative of perturbation, determining a replacement output value for a first throttle value based on the user parameter; and controlling vehicle operation to meet the replacement output value in response to receipt of the first throttle value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Boosted Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjay Dastoor, John Ulmen, Salomon Trujillo, Matthew Tran
  • Patent number: 9212600
    Abstract: A variable cylinder engine is provided. The engine includes an engine body having a plurality of cylinders, a cooling mechanism for cooling the engine body, and a controller for controlling the cooling mechanism and changing a number of active cylinders according to an operating state of the engine. The controller reduces the number of active cylinders in a reduced-cylinder operating range set within a partial engine load range, and in a first reduced-cylinder range set within a high load part of the reduced-cylinder operating range, the controller improves a cooling performance of the cooling mechanism compared with that in a second reduced-cylinder range set within a low load part of the reduced-cylinder operating range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Junsou Sasaki, Kazutoyo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9199528
    Abstract: A hybrid power train for vehicles, including a drive shaft rotated by engine power, an engine-side drive gear concentrically installed on the drive shaft so as to be rotated by drive shaft power, first and second power transmission control units configured to form different power transmission paths for transmitting power from the drive shaft to the engine-side drive gear, and to control respective power transmission states, an output shaft arranged in parallel to the drive shaft, an engine-side driven gear rotatably provided on the output shaft so as to mesh with the engine-side drive gear, a clutch unit for switching the operating state of the engine-side driven gear between a fixed state and a released state relative to the output shaft, a motor-side drive gear rotated by motor power, and a motor-side driven gear fixedly provided on the output shaft so as to mesh with the motor-side drive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jong Yun Park, Jae Young Choi
  • Patent number: 9200701
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission apparatus configured such that when transitioning to an actual traveling state by forming one of the shift speeds from a free running state in which a vehicle is in a traveling state and the speed change mechanism is in a neutral state with none of the shift speeds formed, the control device performs a control to determine from the plurality of shift speeds one final target shift speed according to at least a vehicle speed and a driver request, and an intermediate target shift speed with a speed ratio smaller than that of the final target shift speed, and to form the final target shift speed after formation of the intermediate target shift speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Sekii, Takehiko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9194326
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the start-up of a vehicle comprising an engine start-stop system, wherein the method includes the actuation of the start-up of the vehicle. The invention is characterized in that the method comprises the steps: an autonomous engine state is indicated in response to the simultaneous occurrence of (i) the injection of fuel into the combustion chambers of the engine and (ii) an engine speed above a pre-defined threshold S1 which is equal to an engine speed that cannot be achieved without combustion in the combustion chambers during the start-up of the vehicle; and, in response to the aforementioned autonomous engine state indication, the closing of a clutch is controlled according to a pre-defined engine speed set value in order to control the engine speed to the pre-defined set value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: PEUGEOT CITROËN AUTOMOBILES SA
    Inventor: Fabrice Grisi
  • Patent number: 9174551
    Abstract: A drive device for an electric vehicle includes: a parking lock mechanism that mechanically locks a rotation of a rotating shaft of drive wheels; a parking lock operating unit; an electric motor; a balancing torque estimating unit for applying rotational torque to the electric motor in the opposite direction of the direction of torsional torque applied to the rotating shaft, while locking via the parking lock mechanism is done, and for balancing torque in advance that balances out the torsional torque, based on a state of the rotational phase of the electric motor; and a torque applying unit for applying torque to the electric motor before the locking is released, the torque calculated based on the estimated balancing torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takeo Nagamori
  • Patent number: 9151384
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is provided for use on a recreational or utility vehicle. The CVT is electronically controlled by at least one control unit of the vehicle. The CVT includes a primary clutch having a first sheave and a second sheave moveable relative to the first sheave. An actuator controls movement of the second sheave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Beat R. Kohler, Stephen L. Nelson, Brian R. Gillingham, Urs Wenger, Donovan L. Fredrickson, Brian D. Krosschell, Karl J. Grajkowski, Philipp Meyer, Donald E. Frost, Ronald Zurbruegg, Peter J. Erasmus
  • Patent number: 9132828
    Abstract: A shift control method in a vehicle having a dual clutch transmission may include determining whether or not power-off downshifting is started and whether or not torque handover is started, determining whether or not the vehicle has entered a rough terrain, calculating and storing a speed change rate of an engaging input shaft right before the vehicle enters the rough terrain, calculating a target transfer torque of an engaging clutch, and gradually increasing a transfer torque of the engaging clutch by an amount until arriving at the target transfer torque of the engaging clutch, controlling the target transfer torque of the engaging clutch to be maintained until a slip rate arrives at a reference value, and completing the power-off downshifting by gradually reducing the transfer torque of the engaging clutch by the amount of torque that the engaging clutch was gradually increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Sung Hyun Cho, Hwan Hur, Ju Hyun Nam
  • Patent number: 9096216
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle downshifts a transmission in response to a driver tapping a brake pedal. A brake pedal tap is distinguished from brake pedal movement associated with normal braking by the peak pedal travel and the duration. Multiple step downshifts are triggered in response to closely spaced pedal taps or slightly longer pedal taps. A user interface allows the driver to adjust various parameters, such as upper and lower peak pedal travel and duration limits. Some parameters may be determined by sampling a series of driver brake taps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Kucharski, Gregory Michael Pietron, Yuji Fujii
  • Patent number: 9090246
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a throttle plate to adjust airflow to the engine are provided. A transmission having an input speed and an output speed and including a clutch and a driver-selectable transmission lever is controlled to adjust engine speed to a synchronous speed in a future gear ratio in response to driver foot pedal positions and driver-selectable transmission lever positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Cullen, Ralph Wayne Cunningham
  • Patent number: 9073554
    Abstract: Exemplary methods, systems and components enable selective control of an operational mode for a vehicle that is subject to an administrative standard. In some instances a qualified person or entity may attain a preferred consequential result related to a selected vehicle operation mode that may involve a vehicle operation paradigm and/or a vehicle travel route and/or a vehicle travel destination. In some embodiments, implementation of the selected vehicle operation mode may modify a conformity status of the vehicle relative to the administrative standard. Various accessible records may be maintained regarding administrative compliance states and their respective benefits, as well as regarding certification of preferable consequential results available to qualified recipients based on a correlated vehicle operational mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: THE INVENTION SCIENCE FUND I, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Thomas J. Nugent, Jr., Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 9068518
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine having a crankshaft which rotates at an engine speed, a transmission having a rotatable input member, a transmission control module (TC), and an engine control module (ECM) in communication with the TCM. The TCM is programmed to execute a transmission-to-engine speed monitoring and control method which includes transmitting an engine speed request to the ECM which requests a positive increase in the engine speed, and terminating the request when the request is active for more than a first calibrated timeout duration. The TCM also terminates the request when the request is active for more than a second calibrated duration that is less than the first calibrated duration, the transmission is not in neutral, and both a shift of the transmission and an acceleration of the input member are not active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ronald F. Lochocki, Jr., Scott D. Biggs, Shih-Ying Sheu
  • Patent number: 9068607
    Abstract: A Dual Clutch Transmission control method may include a breakage determining step that determines whether an input shaft speed sensor breaks down, a reference securing step that disengages all shift gears connected to a non-driven input shaft and engages a clutch connected to the non-driven input shaft, when it is determined that the input shaft speed sensor broke down, and a gear shifting step that disengages the clutch connected to the non-driven input shaft and engages a shift gear of a desired shift range in accordance with a shifting instruction when the instruction for shifting to any one desired shift range of shift ranges connected to the non-driven input shaft is given after the reference securing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Young Min Yoon
  • Patent number: 9033851
    Abstract: A motor drive assembly can prevent a two-way roller clutch of the current speed ratio and a two-way roller clutch of the next speed ratio from engaging simultaneously, and includes a first-speed friction plate formed with engaging protrusions on the first-speed side, and a shift ring formed with engaging recesses. While the shift ring is in a first-speed shift position SP1f, the engaging protrusions are adapted to be engaged in the engaging recesses, thereby preventing rotation of the shift ring relative to the first-speed friction plate. The shift ring is provided with projections on its inner periphery. The drive assembly further includes an annular protrusion formed with cutouts. When the projections are axially and circumferentially displaced from the respective cutouts, the projections are adapted to interfere with the annular protrusion, thereby preventing axial movement of the shift ring between the first-speed shift position SP1f and a second-speed shift position SP2f.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Itakura, Guodong Li
  • Patent number: 9017218
    Abstract: In a motor vehicle having a manual transmission, for, in particular, limiting the engine speed during the start-up operation when fulfilling at least one permission criterion for the engine torque, the criterion depending on the driving state of the motor vehicle, a default engine torque is preset, which is specified according to at least one engine characteristic value and which can be reduced with regard to the set engine torque called for by the position of the accelerator pedal of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Georg Geywitz, Herbert Meyer, Bernhard Vogt, Michael Muhler
  • Patent number: 9008926
    Abstract: A powertrain includes an electro-mechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine and an electric machine adapted to selectively transmit mechanical power to an output member through selective application of a plurality of clutches. A method for controlling the powertrain includes commanding a shift from a fixed gear operating range state to a second operating range state, commanding decreased reactive torque through an off-going clutch during a torque phase of said commanded shift, and decreasing said reactive torque through said off-going clutch through control of engine input torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Jy-Jen F. Sah, Lawrence A. Kaminsky
  • Publication number: 20150100159
    Abstract: An actuator unit, a robot including the same, and a reducing apparatus, the actuator unit including a driving unit; a sensor unit; a control unit; and a frame unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Jung-jun PARK, Byeong-sang KIM, Kang-min PARK, Jae-chul HWANG
  • Patent number: 9002590
    Abstract: A first target engine speed N1 and a high-speed control area F1 are set according to a command value commanded by a command unit. A second target engine speed N2 and a high-speed control area F2 defined on a low-speed side are set according to the first target engine speed N1. A pump displacement D and an engine torque T of a variable displacement hydraulic pump are detected so that a target engine speed N corresponding to each of the detected pump displacement and engine torque is detected according to a preset relationship between a the pump displacement D and the target engine speed N and a preset relationship between the engine torque T and the target engine speed N during an engine control at the high-speed control area F2. The drive of the engine is controlled so that the engine is driven at the target engine speed N.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Komatsu, Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruo Akiyama, Hisashi Asada, Takeshi Ooi
  • Patent number: 9002600
    Abstract: An example method of operation comprises, selectively shutting down engine operation responsive to operating conditions and without receiving an engine shutdown request from the operator, maintaining the automatic transmission in gear during the shutdown, and during an engine restart from the shutdown condition, and with the transmission in gear, transmitting reduced torque to the transmission. For example, slippage of a forward clutch of the transmission may be used to enable the transmission to remain in gear, yet reduce torque transmitted to the vehicle wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Peter John Grutter, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Felix Nedorezov
  • Patent number: 8961246
    Abstract: Systems and methods are for controlling shift in a marine propulsion device. A shift sensor outputs a position signal representing a current position of a shift linkage. A control circuit is programmed to identify an impending shift change when the position signal reaches a first threshold and an actual shift change when the position signal reaches a second threshold. The control circuit is programmed to enact a shift interrupt control strategy that facilitates the actual shift change when the position signal reaches the first threshold, and to actively modify the first threshold as a change in operation of the marine propulsion device occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas S. Kirchhoff, David G. Camp
  • Patent number: 8956263
    Abstract: A method for controlling a powertrain system including an internal combustion engine coupled to a multi-mode transmission in response to a command to execute a shift from a first EVT Mode range to a second EVT Mode range includes executing a first shift from the first EVT Mode range to an intermediate transmission range. The multi-mode transmission operates in the intermediate transmission range and the engine is controlled at an engine torque command that corresponds to an output torque request. A second shift is executed from the intermediate transmission range to the second transmission range. The powertrain system operates in the second transmission range to transfer torque to an output member of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Sean W. McGrogan, Krunal P. Patel
  • Publication number: 20150045178
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a vehicle configured to support the user. The apparatus also includes an operation-switch assembly configured to be supported by the vehicle. The operation-switch assembly is also configured to switch propulsion operation of the vehicle between a first propulsion-operation mode and a second propulsion-operation mode. In the first propulsion-operation mode, the operation-switch assembly is also configured to permit propulsion of the vehicle to be influenced by a power-train assembly being configured to generate a power-train force. In the second propulsion-operation mode, the operation-switch assembly is also being configured to: (A) permit propulsion of the vehicle to be influenced by a non power-train force, and (B) permit propulsion of the vehicle to be not influenced by the power-train force of the power-train assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Che Hang Cliff Chan
  • Patent number: 8935064
    Abstract: A control device of a vehicular automatic transmission determines, during shifting to a first target gear position, whether the transmission should be shifted to a second target gear position that is remote from the current gear position than the first target gear position, and determines whether a gearshift to the first target gear position was executed during shifting to a third target gear position. If it is determined that the transmission should be shifted to the second target gear position during a multiple gearshift to the first target gear position which is started during shifting to the third target gear position, a multiple gearshift to the second target gear position is inhibited. If it is determined that the transmission should be shifted to the second target gear position during a single gearshift to the first target gear position, the multiple gearshift to the second target gear position is permitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobufusa Kobayashi, Yoshio Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8932178
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission between an engine and a drive wheel and includes a differential mechanism (planetary gear mechanism) between the engine and an engagement device (transmission). A controller (ECU) included in the vehicle calculates a variation rate in the whole rotation energy of the planetary gear mechanism when it is in the inertia phase of a shift. The ECU increasingly corrects an engine generated power and decreasingly corrects a transmission transfer power when the variation rate is higher than 0. The ECU decreasingly corrects the engine generated power and increasingly correct the transmission transfer power when the variation rate is lower than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunya Kato, Akihiro Kimura, Yuma Mori, Hideki Furuta
  • Patent number: 8914220
    Abstract: An engine system includes: a mixture portion capable of mixing a first liquid as a main fuel with a second liquid at a predetermined mixture ratio; an engine to which a mixed fuel produced by mixing the first liquid with the second liquid is fed from the mixture portion; and a control portion controlling the mixture ratio of the mixed fuel to be a target mixture ratio based on a driving state of the engine. The control portion controls the target mixture ratio based on a feeding period from the time when the mixed fuel is fed from the mixture portion to the time when the mixed fuel arrives at the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideyuki Nishida
  • Publication number: 20140349815
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gearbox having a sensing device (109) for sensing a torque which acts on a drive shaft (101), an output shaft (102) or a shaft which can be driven by the drive shaft (101). The sensing device (109) is electrically connected to an integrated energy-generating device. A rotor (192), which is arranged inside the gearbox housing (103) and connected in a rotationally fixed fashion to a shaft which can be driven by the drive shaft (101), is assigned to the energy-generating device. A bearing (194), which is secured by a housing lid (193), is assigned to this shaft. The housing lid (193) surrounds the rotor (192) in this context. The energy-generating device is assigned a stator (191) which is mounted on the housing lid (193) within the gearbox housing (103).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ralf Martin Dinter
  • Patent number: 8894544
    Abstract: A system and method for minimizing torque disturbances during a shift event for an automatic transmission control actual transmission input shaft torque using a transmission input shaft signal produced by an input shaft torque sensor. The torque sensor provides a signal to a controller that monitors the measured transmission input torque. The torque sensor may be implemented by a strain gauge, a piezoelectric load cell, or a magneto-elastic torque sensor. The system may include a vehicle powertrain having an engine, a transmission coupled to the engine via a torque converter, an input torque sensor coupled to the input shaft of the transmission and a controller configured to control engine torque to cause the measured transmission input shaft torque to achieve a target transmission input shaft torque during the shift event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander O'Connor Gibson, Seung-Hoon Lee, Yuji Fujii, Gregory Michael Pietron, Diana Yanakiev, Joseph F. Kucharski, Nimrod Kapas
  • Patent number: 8888655
    Abstract: In a hand-held power tool having a gear transmission, which is drivable by a motor, for driving a drive shaft, the gear transmission being shiftable at least between a first gear and a second gear via a gear shifting device, the gear shifting device has a sensor system, which is connected to an electronic unit, for detecting a gear shifting procedure. The electronic unit is designed for the purpose of activating the motor using predefined motor parameters which are assigned to the detected gear shifting procedure, on the basis of a gear shifting signal which is generated by the sensor system when a gear shifting procedure is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Dietmar Saur
  • Publication number: 20140335994
    Abstract: A driving assistance apparatus includes an assistance control unit determining an on/off state of an engine and a drive control unit controlling driving of the engine on the basis of the on/off state determined by the assistance control unit. The assistance control unit determines whether a vehicle stops at a target stopping position, and carries out setting such that the engine is more easily switched from the on state to the off state when the assistance control unit determines to stop at the target stopping position and it is timing at which the vehicle is able to reach the target stopping position in a state where driving force is not generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hirotada Otake
  • Patent number: 8880307
    Abstract: A coasting control device for avoiding dangerous modes such as tire lock up upon the end of coasting control. The device, which performs coasting control to disengage the clutch and to reduce the engine revolutions per minute (RPM), also prevents a gearshift operation during coasting control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignees: Isuzu Motors Limited, Transtron Inc.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Iwao, Yasushi Yamamoto, Kazuhiko Kobayashi, Hiroyuki Arai, Kouhei Takama
  • Publication number: 20140315684
    Abstract: The present application relates to a powertrain control system (1) for a motor vehicle. The vehicle has an internal combustion engine (5) coupled to a transmission (9). The transmission (9) is operable in a high range and a low range. The powertrain control system (1) has a stop/start controller (11) for issuing an engine stop request signal when one or more conditions have been met. An inhibitor (15) is also provided for inhibiting operation of the stop/start controller (11) when the low range is selected. The application also relates to a method of operating a motor vehicle power-train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Baptiste Bureau, Scott Balder, Adam Leatherland