Transmission Controlled By Engine Patents (Class 477/115)
  • Patent number: 8292784
    Abstract: In a vehicle control device, a brake feedback control unit calculates a brake feedback torque Tfb-BK using a PID control model when a current state is a brake feedback use state. The brake feedback control unit stops the calculation of the brake feedback torque Tfb-BK when the current state is a brake feedback limitation state, and stores as an output value the brake feedback torque Tfb-BK that is output at a brake limitation start timing. At a brake limitation release timing, the brake feedback control unit restarts the feedback control using the stored brake feedback torque Tfb-BK as an initial value. The brake mechanism can thereby generate a predetermined brake torque of not more than 0 [N·m] immediately after the brake limitation release timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoaki Umakoshi, Shotaro Fukuda, Hajime Kumabe, Masayoshi Takeda, Yukio Mori
  • Patent number: 8287429
    Abstract: A shifting control apparatus for a power transmitting system of a vehicle provided with a vehicle drive electric motor, and a step-variable automatic transmission constituting a part of a power transmitting path between said vehicle drive electric motor and drive wheels, the shifting control apparatus controls said vehicle drive electric motor to perform a regenerative operation in a coasting state of the vehicle, and controls said automatic transmission to perform a shift-down operation at a predetermined coasting shift-down vehicle speed in the coasting state, the shifting control apparatus is configured: to change said coasting shift-down vehicle speed according to a regenerative power of said vehicle drive electric motor; to control said vehicle drive electric motor in the coasting state of the vehicle, so as to perform the regenerative operation at a vehicle speed higher than a predetermined drive/driven switching vehicle speed value, and so as to generate a vehicle drive torque at a vehicle speed lower
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenta Kumazaki, Tooru Matsubara, Atsushi Tabata, Tatsuya Imamura
  • Patent number: 8287431
    Abstract: When shifting an automatic transmission into a higher gear, it is determined that an inertia phase has started when an input rotation speed of the automatic transmission has started to decrease. Here, if throttle opening amount reduction control is being performed to reduce the output torque of the engine when it is determined that the inertia phase has started, it is highly likely that that determination is erroneous because that control causes the input rotation speed of the automatic transmission (i.e., the engine speed) to decrease. When it is highly likely that the determination that the inertia phase has started is erroneous in this way, learning of a hydraulic pressure command value is prohibited. As a result, erroneous learning of the hydraulic pressure command value can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobufusa Kobayashi, Toshio Sugimura, Tomohiro Asami, Takaaki Tokura, Yoshio Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20120252631
    Abstract: A hydraulic control device of an automatic transmission is provided, which includes a hydraulic control circuit with a pressure reducing valve including a first friction element for achieving a first gear position and a second friction element for achieving a second gear position that produces a lower speed than the first gear position. The hydraulic control circuit further includes a switch valve formed with an input port which is inputted with the line pressure in a forward gear position range, and which is switched between a first state where the input port communicates with a first oil path communicating with the first friction element in a failure state of power distribution to the plurality of hydraulic control valves, and a second state where the input port communicates with the second friction element in the same power distribution failure state. The switch valve includes various control ports to control its function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koshiro Saji, Shinya Kamada, Shotaro Nagai
  • Publication number: 20120252629
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the operation of a drive train of a motor vehicle, the drive train including a drive machine, a clutch and an automated transmission, and the drive train having an emergency program, which enables an emergency operation of the drive train even if important control signals such as engine torque, engine speed, transmission speed are missing, where the emergency operation is initiated as soon as one of the following signals is no longer present: engine torque or a substitute value for the engine torque, torque requested by a driver or a substitute for the torque requested by the driver, engine speed, transmission input speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Mario Jung, Bjoern Stehle
  • Patent number: 8277364
    Abstract: A first motor 3 and a second motor 4 of variable displacement type are in parallel to each other connected to a hydraulic pump 2 in a closed circuit, through which the output torque from the first motor 3 is transmitted to an output shaft 6. A clutch control unit 10 controls a clutch device 15 as: when the engine speed is N1, which is the case where the accelerator pedal is fully depressed, the clutch is disengaged at the vehicle speed v1. When the engine speed is N3(<N1), which is the case where the accelerator pedal is half depressed, the clutch is disengaged at the vehicle speed v3(<v1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hyodo, Nobuhiro Suzuki, Koji Takano, Genichiro Ishimaru, Kazuo Ishida, Kazuo Chonan
  • Patent number: 8276549
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible fuel, spark ignition, variable boost, supercharged internal combustion engine. A variable speed drive assembly connects the engine output to a supercharger. The engine includes a fuel sensor which provides a signal to an engine controller which determines the type of fuel. The engine controller also receives signals from a mass air flow sensor, a manifold air pressure sensor, a crank angle sensor, a camshaft angle sensor, an oxygen sensor in the exhaust stream and a transmission controller. The engine controller provides control signals to an ignition module, to a fuel injection system, to an electronic throttle control, to a supercharger drive controller and to the transmission controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ko-Jen Wu, James C. Elmslie, Jian Jun Zhang
  • Patent number: 8280599
    Abstract: A vehicle control device where, the transmission apparatus is provided with a state in which the rotational driving force is not transmitted from the output member to the input member when a first engaging element is engaged; the vehicle control device is provided with a control unit that controls the transmission apparatus to engage the first engaging element by a hydraulic pressure from the electric pump for implementing the state in an idle stop state in which the vehicle is in a moving state and the engine is stopped; in a case where a travel speed of the vehicle is not greater than a predetermined release threshold value, the first engaging element is engaged by the hydraulic pressure from the electric pump; and in a case where the travel speed of the vehicle is greater than the predetermined release threshold value, all of the engaging elements are released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiko Suzuki, Kyosuke Komizo, Takahiro Sekii, Yasuhiko Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20120244994
    Abstract: A control system for an engine includes an icing condition detection module and an icing prevention module. The icing condition detection module detects an icing condition of a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system of the engine when an ambient temperature is less than a predetermined temperature for a first predetermined period. The icing prevention module increases engine speed for a second predetermined period when the icing condition is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Spix, Grant K. Tappen
  • Patent number: 8265815
    Abstract: A method of controlling output torque in a hybrid or electric vehicle transmissions includes calculating a first long-term output torque constraint and a first short-term output torque constraint. A first effective output torque constraint is determined from at least one of the first long-term and short-term output torque constraints. The first effective output torque constraint is bounded by both of the first long-term and short-term output torque constraints. The method may further include calculating a rate limit, such that determining the first effective output torque constraint includes restricting the magnitude of changes in the first long-term output torque constraint to the calculated rate limit. A spread between the first short-term output torque constraint and the first effective output torque constraint may be measured, and the rate limit calculated as a function of that spread. The rate limit may also be calculated with an inversely-proportional relationship to the spread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Sean W McGrogan, Anthony H. Heap
  • Patent number: 8260527
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes a CPU, a throttle sensor, a shift actuator, and fuel injectors. When the CPU detects a control failure of the throttle valve with a value detected by the throttle sensor, the CPU adjusts the output of the engine by controlling the fuel injectors such that the motorcycle runs with a previously set negative target acceleration. Also, the CPU controls the shift actuator such that the transmission is shifted down in steps as the speed of the motorcycle decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Arai
  • Patent number: 8257213
    Abstract: In a hybrid driving apparatus, a gear mechanism (3) having a first rotating element (7), a second rotating element (4) and a third rotating element (5) is provided, and a first driving power source (2), a second driving power source MG1 and a third driving power source MG2 are linked to the elements of the gear mechanism (3). The speed change ratio of the gear mechanism (3) can be altered. A driven member (18) to which the power output from an output element of the gear mechanism (3) is transmitted is provided. A first power transmission path (9) that connects the second driving power source MG1 to the driven member (18) is provided. A second power transmission path (17) that connects the third driving power source MG2 to the driven member (18) is provided. In this hybrid driving apparatus, at least one of the first power transmission path (9) and the second power transmission path (17) is provided with a transmission (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideaki Komada, Yukihiko Ideshio, Tooru Matsubara, Takashi Ohta, Hiroyuki Shibata, Hidehiro Oba
  • Patent number: 8260528
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes a CPU, a throttle sensor, a brake sensor, and fuel injectors. When the CPU detects a control failure of the throttle valve with a value detected by the throttle sensor, the CPU adjusts the output of the engine by controlling the fuel injectors such that the motorcycle runs with a previously set negative target acceleration. Also, when the CPU detects a brake operation by the driver with the brake sensor after the occurrence of the control failure, the CPU corrects the target acceleration such that the deceleration of the motorcycle becomes larger. Then, the CPU adjusts the output of the engine such that the motorcycle runs with the corrected target acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Arai
  • Publication number: 20120220426
    Abstract: The present invention provides an engine start system in a vehicle. The engine start system includes an engine and a charge system. The vehicle also includes an engine speed sensor for measuring a speed of the engine. The charge system is coupled to the engine and includes a charge pump. The vehicle further includes a control unit and a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of fluid in the charge system. The temperature sensor is electrically coupled to the control unit. A bypass system is fluidly coupled to the charge system and includes a valve and a solenoid. The solenoid is electrically coupled to the control unit such that the control unit energizes the solenoid to control the valve in response to the speed measured by the speed sensor and the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Heidi K. Klousia, Christopher R. Benson
  • Patent number: 8246515
    Abstract: A method for generating manual shift request for controlling the automatic transmission of an automotive vehicle comprises: generating an up shift request (24) when the movement of the accelerator pedal of the vehicle matches a predefined pattern for requesting an up shift (22), and generating a down shift request (28) when the movement of the accelerator pedal of the vehicle matches a predefined pattern for requesting a down shift (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventor: Ruimin Zhao
  • Patent number: 8249783
    Abstract: A vehicle automatic transmission includes a plurality of gears provided on an input shaft, a countershaft, and an output shaft and are meshed with one another. A plurality of hydraulic clutches are each configured to couple any of the gears to the input shaft, the countershaft, or the output shaft to establish a predetermined shift stage. An engagement unit is configured to couple a reverse gear to the input shaft or the countershaft to establish a reverse shift stage. A shift-position detection unit is configured to detect a shift position. A vehicle-speed detection unit is configured to detect a vehicle speed. A control unit is configured to detect, based on an output of the shift-position detection unit, a first time and a second time. The control unit is configured to delay a timing when the engagement unit operates after the shift position changes to an R-position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Ishikawa, Joko Karasawa, Makoto Kobayashi, Yuji Koga
  • Patent number: 8246512
    Abstract: In a control device for a vehicular power transmitting device, if engine torque TE generated with using a fuel other than a basic fuel by an internal combustion engine (8) connected to a shifting mechanism (10) for power transmitting capability, exceeds torque TES generated with using a basic fuel, a downshift is initiated at a lower accel-opening than that at which the downshift is initiated with using the basic fuel. That is, the shifting is performed at a shift point enabling the suppression of a torque increase in consideration of an increase in engine torque TE generated by the internal combustion engine, thereby preventing rotary elements of the shifting mechanism (10) from reaching high-speed rotations during a transition in downshift. This minimizes a drop in durability of the shifting mechanism (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Tooru Matsubara, Hiroyuki Shibata, Kenta Kumazaki
  • Patent number: 8244440
    Abstract: A method and device for actuating a shifting arrangement with electric actuators of a transmission control of a motor vehicle. The method includes determining a total current of the shifting arrangement available at a point in time, detecting shift requests of shift elements and compared these with the total available current. Shift requests are then tested according to preset priorities and the sequentially performed according to the priority test. The method avoids exceeding a preset allowed current load, when the requested shifts would exceed the total available current. If the total available current would not be exceeded by the requested shifts, the requests are carried out. A device is also provided in the shifting arrangement which has control and detection mechanisms that monitor current and control the current flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Robert Ingenbleek, Markus Ulbricht, Mario Steinborn, Armin Brentel
  • Publication number: 20120190499
    Abstract: Providing a control apparatus for a vehicular drive system, which permits economical and easy reduction of generation of an abnormal sound upon starting of an engine in a running state of a vehicle. The control apparatus includes on-engine-starting differential limiting means for commanding a differential limiting clutch to limit differential rotary motion between front and rear drive wheels, in advance of automatic starting of an engine under the control of automatic engine starting control means. Accordingly, the limitation of the differential rotary motion between the front and the rear drive wheels by the differential limiting clutch ensures the starting of the engine without backlash which exists in the power transmitting path between the engine and the front and rear drive wheels, thereby permitting economical and easy reduction of generation of the abnormal sound upon starting of the engine in a running state of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mitsuru Oba
  • Publication number: 20120184406
    Abstract: A motor vehicle comprising: a power source capable of driving the motor vehicle, a gearbox coupled to the power source; and a gear shift commander having a normal state, a prepare state and a shift state; wherein the vehicle is configured to, in response to the gear shift commander entering the prepare state, cause the gearbox and/or the power source to undergo a preparatory adjustment in preparation for an up or down shift; and the vehicle is configured to make an up or down shift in response to the gear shift commander entering the shift state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: MCLAREN AUTOMOTIVE LIMITED
    Inventor: Richard Felton
  • Patent number: 8224537
    Abstract: A clutch temperature prediction module for a dual clutch transmission (DCT) includes at least one clutch slip power module that determines a first clutch slip power of a first clutch and a second clutch slip power of a second clutch. A temperature calculation module receives the first clutch slip power, the second clutch slip power, an ambient air temperature, an engine oil temperature, and a transmission oil temperature, and calculates at least one clutch plate temperature and a clutch housing temperature based on the first clutch slip power, the second clutch slip power, the ambient air temperature, the engine oil temperature, and the transmission oil temperature using a linear time-invariant (LTI) model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventors: Markus Olsson, Ulf Gimbergsson
  • Patent number: 8224538
    Abstract: An automatic transmission includes gears, torque-transmitting mechanisms, interconnecting members, an input member and an output member. A method of controlling the automatic transmission includes data acquisition from the output shaft torque sensor, commanding a hydraulic fluid pressure pulse time and a pressure pulse value to engage a first torque-transmitting mechanism, calculating a rate-of-change of a first data output from the output shaft torque sensor, calculating a rate-of-change of a second data output from the output shaft torque sensor, comparing the results of the rate-of-change calculations and adjusting the hydraulic fluid pressure pulse time and a pressure pulse value if the rate of change of the second data output is not equal to the rate-of-change of the first data output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Zhen Zhang, Shushan Bai, John R. Maten
  • Patent number: 8219291
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes signaling a transmission to shift into a first gear ratio and sensing a current gear ratio of the transmission after signaling the transmission to shift into the first gear ratio. The method further includes implementing a diagnostic transmission shift control strategy to override a normal transmission shift control strategy when the current sensed gear ratio is not equal to the requested first gear ratio to verify proper functionality of a mode control valve that is responsible for shifting the transmission into the first gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Emmanuel V. Yabes, Brian J. Pellerito, Michael Chernyak, Craig J. Hawkins, Cheol W. Kim
  • Publication number: 20120173096
    Abstract: A method for control of a gearbox (20) installed in a motor vehicle (1), which method effects a downshift of the gearbox (20) from a first gear (G1), for which the acceleration a of said vehicle (1) is negative, to a second gear (G2), for which the acceleration a is positive or substantially equal to nil, which downshift involves at least one intermediate gear step between the first gear (G1) and second gear (G2). An engine speed for changing gear at an intermediate gear step is higher than an engine speed for changing gear at a preceding intermediate gear step. Also a system, a motor vehicle, a computer program and a computer program product for performing the method are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Fredrik Swartling, Mikael Wagberg
  • Publication number: 20120165155
    Abstract: A multi-mode internal combustion engine is described. As one example, the engine may be transitioned between a two stroke mode and a four stroke mode in coordination with a transmission shift by adjusting a number of strokes performed by the engine per combustion cycle while shifting the transmission between different gear ratios. Under select conditions, the number of strokes performed by the engine per combustion cycle may be reduced while shifting the transmission from a higher gear ratio to a lower gear ratio. Under other conditions, the number of strokes performed by the engine per combustion cycle may be increased while shifting the transmission from a lower gear ratio to a higher gear ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Ford Globel Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, David Karl Bidner
  • Patent number: 8206264
    Abstract: A load control structure for a work vehicle comprises: set rotation speed detection device for detecting a set rotation of an engine of the work vehicle; actual rotation speed detection device that senses an actual rotational speed of the engine; continuously variable speed change device that receives power from an engine of the work vehicle; speed change position detecting device for detecting a speed change operation position of the continuously variable speed change device; operating device for speed-shifting the continuously variable speed change device; control device for controlling the operation of the operating device; wherein the control device calculates a drop amount of the actual engine rotation speed from the set rotation speed based on the detected information from the set rotation speed detection device and the actual rotation speed detection device, and sets a limit operation position for the continuously variable speed change device based on the calculated drop amount and a correlation data t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Nishi, Keishiro Nishi, Atsushi Shinkai, Yasunobu Nakatani
  • Publication number: 20120158263
    Abstract: A system for control of a gearbox, having at least one control unit controlling the gearbox where the gearbox is installed in a motor vehicle having an engine connected to drive the gearbox. The system effects a first upshift from a first gear to a second gear if the acceleration a for the vehicle is greater than nil for the second gear and the current engine speed is within a first engine speed range; and effects a second upshift from the first gear to a third gear if the current engine speed is within a second engine speed range. The first speed range is lower than the second speed range of the engine. A method, a motor vehicle, a computer program and a computer program product for the method are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Fredrik Swartling, Peter Asplund, Mikael Öun
  • Patent number: 8202198
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a front-wheel drive (FWD) transmission having a case, a selectable one-way clutch (SOWC) indexed to the case, pressurized fluid, and a valve body assembly (VBA). The VBA has a piston in communication with the fluid, a return spring, and an actuator plate in continuous contact with or connected to each of the piston and a shift lever of the SOWC. Fluid moving the piston and plate in one direction locks the SOWC to enable a reverse mode, and the spring moves the piston and the plate in another direction to unlock the SOWC in a forward mode. A method prevents spin losses in the FWD transmission by positioning a two-mode SOWC within a case, positioning a VBA adjacently and externally to the case, and admitting pressurized fluid into the VBA to engage the SOWC only during a reverse operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, Andrew L. Bartos, Chunhao J. Lee
  • Patent number: 8197388
    Abstract: A method of automatically engaging a parking lock or an automatic or automated gearbox of a motor vehicle, which can be engaged depending on a drive position selected by the driver of the motor vehicle, by way of a selector device and depending on other operating parameters. In order to achieve as little restriction of the drivability of the motor vehicle as possible, without neglecting the safety of the driver and surroundings, two different complex embodiments of an Auto_P function for automatically engaging the parking lock are proposed, if the motor vehicle is at least approximately stopped and, at the same time, an ignition circuit acting on the drive motor of the motor vehicle is electrically interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Armin Gierling, Walter Hecht
  • Publication number: 20120142493
    Abstract: A method and a HAC system controls a hill-state assist control (HAC) operation when restarting an engine of the vehicle having an idle stop and go (ISG) system for an automatic transmission. The method includes starting restarting of the engine by the ISG system and an HAC operation, monitoring the RPM of the engine, and releasing the HAC operation in a case where the RPM of the engine meets an HAC release condition, and maintaining the HAC operation until the HAC release condition is met in a case where the RPM of the engine does not meet the HAC release condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicants: Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sejun Kim, Chongah Gwon, Jiyong Yu, Junghwan Bang
  • Publication number: 20120135841
    Abstract: A coast stop vehicle includes a hydraulic pressure supplying unit which supplies a hydraulic pressure to the transmission while the engine is stopped, a coast stop start condition judging unit which judges whether or not a coast stop start condition holds, a coast stop control unit which stops the engine when the coast stop start condition is judged to hold by the coast stop start condition judging unit and starts the engine when receiving an acceleration request from a driver during the coast stop, a transmission control unit which causes a downshift of the transmission when receiving the acceleration request from the driver during the coast stop, and a hydraulic control unit which supplies the hydraulic pressure to an after-shift frictional engagement element which realizes a gear position after the downshift of the transmission during the coast stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Shinichiro WATANABE, Keichi TATEWAKI, Naohiro YAMADA, Noritaka AOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20120135840
    Abstract: A coast stop vehicle, includes an engine, a transmission arranged between the engine and drive wheels and having a plurality of gear positions, a coast stop starting unit which automatically stops the engine when a coast stop start condition holds during travel, a coast stop releasing unit which automatically starts the engine when a coast stop release condition holds during a coast stop, and a downshifting unit which starts engagement of a frictional engagement element, which realizes a lower gear position than the one when the coast stop release condition holds, before complete explosion of the engine and causes a downshift of the transmission when the coast stop release condition holds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Keichi Tatewaki, Naohiro Yamada, Shinichiro Watanabe, Noritaka Aoyama
  • Patent number: 8187150
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program including the steps of: starting monitoring the turbine revolution speed and the output shaft revolution speed when a direct shift is started (YES in S100) (S102); performing complete disengagement control on a disengagement element (1) (S106), lowering control pressure of a disengagement element (2) to preliminarily fixed control pressure (S110); starting engagement control on an engagement element (1) when a set time period Is (1) passes (YES in S112) (S114); performing complete disengagement control on the disengagement element (2) when a set time period Is (2) passes (YES in S118) (S120); and starting the engagement control on an engagement element (2) when turbine revolution speed NT is equal to or larger than (the synchronous revolution speed of a gear after a shift—a set value Ns) (YES in. S 122) (S 124).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eiji Fukushiro, Keisuke Ota, Koji Oshima
  • Patent number: 8187149
    Abstract: A coasting control system for a vehicle includes a coasting monitoring module and a glide mode activation module. The coasting monitoring module determines whether the vehicle is in a coasting state. The glide mode activation module operates a transmission in a freewheeling state based on a determination that the vehicle is in the coasting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: John J. Koenig
  • Publication number: 20120129649
    Abstract: A method of operating a drive train of a motor vehicle with a drive assembly which has a combustion engine and an automatic transmission with frictional shift elements positioned between the drive assembly and an output, namely for executing a traction upshift or a traction downshift in which at least one frictional shift element of the automatic transmission is engaged and at least one frictional shift element of the automatic transmission is disengaged. During execution of a traction upshift and at least, during the engagement procedure of a frictional shift element being engaged, reducing the torque provided by the combustion engine, and for executing a traction downshift at least during the lowering of the transferability of a frictional shift element being disengaged, reducing the torque provided by the combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Johannes KALTENBACH
  • Patent number: 8182398
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program including the steps of: starting monitoring the turbine revolution speed and the output shaft revolution speed when a direct shift is started; performing complete disengagement control on a disengagement element; lowering control pressure of a disengagement element to preliminarily fixed control pressure; starting engagement control on an engagement element when a set time period Ts passes; performing complete disengagement control on the disengagement element when a set time period Ts passes; and starting the engagement control on an engagement element when turbine revolution speed NT is equal to or larger than (the synchronous revolution speed of a gear after a shift—a set value Ns).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eiji Fukushiro, Keisuke Ota, Koji Oshima
  • Publication number: 20120108384
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicle drive device in a vehicle having a power source including an engine and a stepped automatic shifting portion making up a part of a power transmission path between the power source and a drive wheel, the control device providing input torque limiting control if a downshift of the automatic shifting portion is executed during an accelerator depressing operation, to limit an input torque to the automatic shifting portion before initiation of an inertia phase in the downshift as compared to the case of not executing the downshift, wherein in the input torque limiting control, if an accelerator variation before the start of the downshift is equal to or less than a predetermined accelerator variation limit, the control device limits the input torque before the initiation of the inertia phase to the input torque at the time of a shifting output commanding the execution of the downshift, and wherein if an accelerator variation before the start of the downshift is greater than the accele
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicants: AISIN AW CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Tooru Matsubara, Masakazu Kaifuku
  • Patent number: 8147378
    Abstract: An engine control system comprises a torque determination module, a limit determination module, a torque limit module, and a torque control module. The torque determination module determines a desired torque based on a desired engine speed. The limit determination module determines a torque limit based on one of an engine oil temperature and a transmission fluid temperature. The torque limit module determines a final torque based on the desired torque and the torque limit. The torque control module selectively determines a throttle area based on the final torque. A throttle valve is actuated based on the throttle area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Timothy J. Hartrey, Todd R. Shupe, Ning Jin, Etsuko Muraji Stewart, Richard B. Jess
  • Patent number: 8126621
    Abstract: In an engine load control device of a work vehicle, an output of an engine is transmitted to a hydraulic actuator via a variable displacement type hydraulic pump. A controller is configured to calculate, based on a target rotational speed of the engine detected by a target rotational speed detecting portion and an actual rotational speed of the engine detected by an actual rotational speed detecting portion, a variation rate per unit time of a difference between the detected results, and to adjust the maximum absorbing torque of the hydraulic pump according to the magnitude of the variation rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Shotaro Ishii, Akira Fukushima
  • Patent number: 8118706
    Abstract: The machine may have a power system that includes a prime mover, a multiple-ratio transmission, a propulsion device, and power-system controls. The method may include propelling the machine by transmitting power from the prime mover to the propulsion device through the multiple-ratio transmission, while controlling operation of the prime mover and the multiple-ratio transmission with the power-system controls. This may include determining with the power-system controls at least one energy-efficiency estimate based at least on energy-efficiency characteristics of the prime mover and energy-efficiency characteristics of the multiple-ratio transmission. Controlling the prime mover and the multiple-ratio transmission may further include controlling a prime-mover operating speed of the prime mover and a transmission drive ratio of the multiple-ratio transmission based at least in-part on the at least one energy-efficiency estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Alan R. Coutant, Michael G. Cronin, Steven A. Daniel, Norval P. Thomson
  • Patent number: 8116953
    Abstract: An active thermal management system and method for selectively warming and cooling transmission fluid in a transmission usable with a vehicular engine is provided. The active thermal management system includes a thermal sensor which measures transmission fluid temperature and signals a valve to selectively communicate transmission fluid flow into one or more discrete fluid circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Richard J Lopez
  • Publication number: 20120028758
    Abstract: Boosted engine operation and spark timing of an engine may be adjusted with alcohol content of the fuel in a direct injection engine. Further, various adjustments may be performed in numerous related systems to account for increased maximum engine torque, such as traction control, transmission shifting, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. Stein
  • Publication number: 20120010044
    Abstract: A method for improving starting of an engine that may be repeatedly stopped and started is presented. In one embodiment, the method adjusts a transmission tie-up force in response to engine starting. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Hong Jiang, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Felix Nedorezov, Seung-Hoon Lee, Yuji Fujii
  • Publication number: 20120010045
    Abstract: A method for improving starting of an engine that may be repeatedly stopped and started is presented. In one embodiment, the method adjusts a transmission actuator in response to engine combustion during an engine start. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Hong Jiang, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Ihab S. Soliman
  • Patent number: 8092342
    Abstract: Method for adapting an automated transmission of a heavy vehicle in consideration of a speed sensitive PTO. The method selects appropriate gears based on the constraint that the engaged PTO should remain below a set speed limit. The information about the speed limit of the PTO is used by the transmission control unit to ensure that the engine does not drive the PTO at a speed higher than the given speed limit. The engine speed may also be limited to reduce the engine speed to prevent it from exceeding the allowable PTO speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Anders Eriksson, Sixten Berglund, Peter Templin, Lars Karlsson, Erika Jakobsson
  • Patent number: 8083638
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicle power transmitting apparatus is disclosed, having an electrically controlled differential portion operative to control an operating state of an electric motor to control a differential state, and a shifting portion forming part of a power transmitting path between the electrically controlled differential portion and drive wheels, which can minimize deterioration in power performance and degradation in controllability during the shifting. Shift interval altering means 70 is provided for altering an interval L from an operation initiation causing an automatic shifting portion 20 to execute a shifting, to an actual shift initiation depending on a kind of the shifting. This enables an appropriate interval L to be determined for the shifting, thereby obtaining adequate power performance while capable of avoiding a first electric motor M1 from operating in a region outside an operating range. Thus, degradation in controllability is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Imamura, Tooru Matsubara, Atsushi Tabata, Yuji Iwase, Kenta Kumazaki, Keita Imai
  • Patent number: 8073610
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is controlled to achieve a preferred temperature of the exhaust aftertreatment system and to minimize a total engine energy loss. A transmission is controlled to achieve a torque output based upon the preferred engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, John L. Lahti
  • Patent number: 8062180
    Abstract: A method of automatically engaging a parking lock or an automatic or automated gearbox of a motor vehicle, which can be engaged depending on a drive position selected by the driver of the motor vehicle, by way of a selector device and depending on other operating parameters. In order to achieve as little restriction of the drivability of the motor vehicle as possible, without neglecting the safety of the driver and surroundings, two different complex embodiments of an Auto_P function for automatically engaging the parking lock are proposed, if the motor vehicle is at least approximately stopped and, at the same time, an ignition circuit acting on the drive motor of the motor vehicle is electrically interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Armin Gierling, Walter Hecht
  • Patent number: 8060284
    Abstract: A work machine includes an internal combustion (IC) engine having an output, and an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) coupled with the IC engine output. The IVT includes a hydraulic module and a mechanical drivetrain module. A pressure transducer is associated with and provides an output signal representing a hydraulic pressure within the hydraulic module. At least one electrical processing circuit is configured for controlling the IC engine output, dependent upon the output signal from the pressure transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Alec Benjamin Hendryx
  • Patent number: 8052572
    Abstract: The preferred embodiments of the present invention allow for easy shift-down and adjustment of a shift-down amount. According to some examples, a transmission (20) includes an electronically controlled transmission mechanism (21), and a control unit (5) that controls the transmission mechanism (21). The control unit (5) includes a transmission ratio control portion (55), a shift mode selection portion (52) that can select an AT mode and that shifts to a shift-down permission mode when a shift-down permission signal (101) is output in the AT mode, and a shift-down operation amount computation portion (51) that computes a shift-down operation amount based on a vehicle state of a motorcycle (1). The transmission ratio control portion (55) shifts down the transmission ratio of the transmission (20) based on the shift-down operation amount when a throttle (70) is operated in the shift-down permission mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshio Unno