Transmission Controlled By Engine Patents (Class 477/115)
  • Publication number: 20110263381
    Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus including a cut valve disposed in a hydraulic circuit, a hydraulic storage device connected to the hydraulic circuit through the cut valve, a stroke amount detecting means for detecting an amount of a piston stroke in the hydraulic storage device, and a control means for discharging a hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic storage device to the hydraulic circuit upon restarting an engine from the idling stop, wherein the control means is configured to open the cut valve upon restarting the engine and, after opening the cut valve, close the cut valve in a case where a change in the detected amount of a stroke of the piston is reversed from such a direction as to discharge the hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic storage device to such a direction as to supply the hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Yoshiaki KATOU
  • Publication number: 20110256979
    Abstract: A gear shift method for an automatic step gearbox of a vehicle involves inputting an engine torque to a high-speed shift or a middle-speed shift directly. According to the vehicle speed and a burthen of an engine, the speed is changed in positive direction to enter to the high-speed shift or is changed in reverse direction to return to the low-speed shift through the gearbox. The automatic gearbox utilizes the method to cancel hydro-transmitter and hydraulic electric controlling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: Zhaohuan Huang
  • Publication number: 20110237393
    Abstract: A method of controlling an automated stepped transmission disposed in a drive train of a motor vehicle in conjunction with a turbo-charged internal combustion engine. In which the control of start-up and shifting procedures depends on the response behavior of the internal combustion engine. In order to enable control of the start-up and shifting processes with considerably lower coordination effort, the actual response behavior of the internal combustion engine is taken from an engine dynamics characteristic map in which the immediately available maximum torque (Mmax) of the internal combustion engine is stored as a function of the current engine torque (MM) and the current engine speed (nM, thus (Mmax=f (MM, nM)).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Roland Mair
  • Patent number: 8002669
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle drivetrain comprising at least an automatic transmission and a drive assembly. The automatic transmission includes at least five shifting elements to transmit torque and/or power. In each forward and reverse gear, three shifting elements are engaged and the remaining two shifting elements are disengaged. Two consecutive gearshifts are carried out through selection of the five shifting elements. During a first gearshift, implemented as a multiple gearshift, a subsequent second gearshift, implemented as either a single or multiple gearshift, is prepared. During the first gearshift, a first shifting element is disengaged, a second shifting element is engaged, a third shifting element is prepared for disengagement in a subsequent second gearshift and a fourth shifting element is prepared for engagement. Further, during the first gearshift and the subsequent second gearshift, a fifth shifting element is retained in at least a substantially engaged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Christian Popp
  • Publication number: 20110201475
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, in which the engine speed is limited after a cold start and a normal shift point is used for shifting to the next higher gear of the automatic transmission in the case of an average operating temperature of an engine, before the average operating temperature is reached, a cold shift point being used for shifting to the next higher gear of the automatic transmission, in the case of which upshifting is performed at a lower vehicle velocity than in the case of the normal shift point. Upshifting into the next higher gear of the automatic transmission can be made easier, since upshifting can already be performed at lower vehicle velocities and therefore lower engine speeds in the cold start phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Hans KLEILA
  • Publication number: 20110195816
    Abstract: A method for delaying shift and throttle commands based on engine speed comprises establishing a predetermined threshold engine speed. Shift and throttle commands are calculated based on the position of a control lever which allows an operator to manually control shift and throttle functions. Execution of the shift and throttle commands is delayed if the engine speed is above the predetermined maximum threshold engine speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas Samuel Martin, Pierre Garon
  • Publication number: 20110178684
    Abstract: A speed change system for work vehicle having a continuously variable transmission device selects a first change gear ratio which is set larger than a smallest change gear ratio, when an engine rotational speed is a first set rotational speed which is set equal or close to an idling rotational speed of an engine; retains the change gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission device at the smallest change gear ratio, when the engine rotational speed is equal to or above a second set rotational speed set on a high-speed side relative to the first set rotational speed; and makes the change gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission device larger between the first change gear ratio and the smallest change gear ratio, as the engine rotational speed at that moment becomes lower, when the engine rotational speed is between the first and second set rotational speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Susumu Umemoto, Hisao Mukai, Nobushige Ichikawa, Takuya Inamori, Yushi Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 7980994
    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: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Nishi, Keishiro Nishi, Atsushi Shinkai, Yasunobu Nakatani
  • Patent number: 7980993
    Abstract: When a release of an accelerator is detected during a shift of an automatic transmission, instead of discharging the hydraulic pressure for engagement of an engaging device of the automatic transmission immediately after the release of the accelerator is detected during a shift, the hydraulic pressure for engagement of the engaging device of the automatic transmission is gently reduced with a remaining engine torque taken into consideration, the remaining engine torque being caused by the retardation of the decrease in the throttle opening degree. In this way, the torque capacity sufficient for the remaining torque caused by the throttle opening degree control performed when the release of the accelerator is detected during the shift is kept so that a slip in the engaging device of the automatic transmission is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishii, Fuminori Monji
  • Publication number: 20110136621
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing driveline unwinding during successive engine shutdown and restart operations. In one example, during an engine shutdown, torsion is maintained in a transmission gear-train until an engine restart is requested by engaging one or more transmission clutches while applying wheel brakes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Hong Jiang, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Gregory Michael Pietron, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 7955217
    Abstract: A power train is provided having a power source operably coupled to a transmission to transmit a power output to at least one traction device. The power train also has a controller configured to regulate the power output so that the power output generated when the at least one traction device is moving at a maximum speed is the maximum power output that the power source and the transmission are capable of producing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Milton Carter Hubbard
  • Publication number: 20110130246
    Abstract: A mounting system for a planetary gear train in a gas turbine engine comprises a support strut, a deflection flange and a deflection limiter. The support strut extends between a stationary engine case and a rotating engine shaft that provides input to the planetary gear train in the gas turbine engine. The deflection flange extends from a rotating output component of the planetary gear train. The deflection limiter is connected to the support strut and engages the deflection flange when the gear train becomes radially displaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Gino Pagluica
  • Patent number: 7945365
    Abstract: A method of influencing an automated transmission of a motor vehicle having a tractional resistance detection unit, the method comprising the steps of reading data, via the tractional resistance detection unit, containing at least information about a torque of a drivetrain, a rotational speed of the drive train, and an acceleration of the vehicle, determining the external tractional resistance of the vehicle based upon the read data, and influencing the shift program by at least one of activation, adaptation and variation of the shift program, on a basis one of an actual and a statistically prepared data about the external tractional resistance of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Markus Eisele, Harry Nolzen, Jürgen Blaser, Harm Adams
  • Publication number: 20110111921
    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: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Zhen Zhang, Shushan Bai, John R. Maten
  • Patent number: 7938750
    Abstract: In a method and a device for operating a drive unit, e.g., of a vehicle, to provide improved diagnosis of a state of a power transmission unit, the power transmission unit in the engaged state transmits an output power of an engine to a drive train, the state of the power transmission unit being detected. The state of the power transmission unit is diagnosed as a function of an output quantity of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried Langer, Georg Mallebrein, Matthew Dorfman
  • Publication number: 20110105276
    Abstract: A transmission overdrive protection system that includes a vehicle transmission control module linked with a vehicle transmission. A vehicle towing harness is coupled to the vehicle for connection to a trailer. An overdrive module is connected to the vehicle transmission control module and vehicle towing harness. The overdrive module includes a circuit board with a circuit providing a signal to the vehicle transmission control module that a trailer is attached to the vehicle automatically preventing an overdrive gear from being utilized in the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Timothy M. Czerkies
  • Patent number: 7937201
    Abstract: A device delivers a torque setpoint signal applicable to the vehicle wheels of a motor vehicle including an automatic transmission. The torque setpoint signal has static and dynamic components that are set according to input data supplied by an input unit and based on a recorded list of parameters representing the driver's will, the motor vehicle state, and the environment thereof. The device includes a first unit for computing the dynamic component of a gross torque, a second unit for computing the static component of a gross torque, the second unit being connected to the output of the first unit, and a unit for adaptation to a brake situation producing the static component of the torque adapted to the braking situation according to the list of parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Renault s.a.s.
    Inventors: Frédéric Roudeau, Jean Bretheau, Vincent Vermuse
  • Patent number: 7935025
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for pressurizing a hydraulic circuit comprising a hydraulically actuated transmission component and an accumulator. One example method comprises, during an engine idle-stop, adjusting actuation of the hydraulically actuated transmission component over a duration. The method further comprises, during the duration, isolating the accumulator from the hydraulically actuated transmission component when a pressure in the hydraulic circuit is above a threshold, and coupling the accumulator into the hydraulic circuit when the pressure is below the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Seung-Hoon Lee, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Gregory Michael Pietron, Yuji Fujii, Marvin Paul Kraska
  • Patent number: 7922617
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control device for a vehicular drive system which properly controls a shift in a transmission portion upon receipt of a shift demand to the transmission portion for precluding a given element of the differential portion 11 from high rotation. For a shift demand to an automatic transmission (20), the transmission portion shift limiting means (86) determines a permissible range in terms of a speed ratio of an automatic transmission (20) in consideration of a rotational speed of a given element of a differential portion (11) for thereby limiting a shifting of the automatic transmission portion (20) based on the permissible range. Thus, when the shift demand to the automatic transmission (20) is present, the given element of the differential portion (11) can be avoided from high rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tooru Matsubara, Atsushi Tabata, Taku Akita, Masakazu Kaifuku
  • Patent number: 7908065
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program that includes the steps of i) calculating a sporty running counting SC based on a state of a vehicle according to an operation of a driver; ii) changing a condition for executing sporty running in which an upshift is inhibited when an accelerator is suddenly released and in which a downshift is promoted during sudden braking such that the condition is easier to satisfy and changing a condition for returning from sporty running so that it is more difficult to satisfy when the sporty running count SC is equal to or greater than a threshold value; and iii) changing the condition for executing sporty running so that it is more difficult to satisfy and changing the condition for returning from sporty running so that it is easier to satisfy when the sporty running count SC is not equal to or greater than the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Toshihiro Fukumasu, Masami Kondo, Hideki Kubonoya, Naoto Moriya, Masato Kaigawa
  • Patent number: 7905813
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the power output of an unthrottled engine has a variable gear ratio transmission connected between a mechanical load and the engine, and it has a controller for controlling the torque load on the engine, according to the power output required. The controller measures the torque output of the unthrottled engine at the power output required, and sets the gear ratio of the transmission to produce a torque load on the engine equal to the torque output of the engine. This means the unthrottled engine will reach an equilibrium with the mechanical load at the required power output. Controlling the unthrottled engine in this way involves receiving a signal describing the power output requirement, varying a gear ratio of the transmission, and establishing a torque equilibrium between the load and the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Borealis Technical Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan Sidney Edelson, Rochel Geller
  • Patent number: 7892143
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program that includes the steps of performing neutral shift control, clutch release control, and engine torque control when a shift is required, the ste of moving a shift selector shaft in a selecting direction when a gear is disengaged and a shift position is neutral even if a drive torque TQ is greater than ? and a clutch stroke C is less than ?, the step of performing synchro control, the step of performing clutch engagement control, and the step of performing gear engagement control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masayuki Kato, Tatsuhiro Miyake, Daisuke Ido
  • Patent number: 7892142
    Abstract: A hydraulically servocontrolled transmission for a road vehicle provided with an internal combustion engine; the servocontrolled transmission displays: a servocontrolled mechanical gearbox operated by at least one first hydraulic actuator; a servocontrolled clutch operated by at least one second hydraulic actuator; a hydraulic circuit comprising a hydraulic accumulator, which contains pressurised control fluid which is used by the hydraulic actuators, and a pump, which is directly operated by the internal combustion engine to supply pressurised control fluid to the hydraulic accumulator; a park-lock device operatable to block the rotation of the driving wheels; and a control unit, which, when the internal combustion engine is turned off, uses the remaining pressure of the control fluid within the hydraulic accumulator to bring the servocontrolled mechanical gearbox in a neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A.
    Inventor: Stefano Giorgini
  • Publication number: 20110039657
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle system including an engine that is selectively shut-down during engine idle-stop conditions, the system further including a hydraulic circuit comprising a hydraulically actuated transmission component, an accumulator, and an auxiliary transmission fluid pump. One example method comprises, during a first idle-stop engine shut-down condition, where the accumulator pressure is above a threshold, delivering pressurized transmission fluid to the hydraulic circuit from the accumulator, while disabling the auxiliary pump. The method further comprises, during a second idle-stop engine shut-down condition, where the accumulator pressure is below the threshold, operating the auxiliary pump and delivering at least some pressurized transmission fluid to the hydraulic circuit from the operating pump without travelling through the accumulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Gregory Michael Pietron, Seung-Hoon Lee, Yuji Fujii
  • Publication number: 20110028273
    Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus for an automatic transmission includes linear solenoid valves each configured to control a line pressure in accordance with an electromagnetic force of a solenoid. The linear solenoid valves each include a spool and are controlled under a normal hydraulic control mode or a current consumption decrease mode. The spool is actuated in accordance with the electromagnetic force. An output fluid pressure is controlled to be a maximum output fluid pressure from a minimum output fluid pressure with the spool at a balanced position under the normal hydraulic control mode. A current consumption for generating the electromagnetic force is decreased to make the fluid pressure equal to or lower than the minimum output fluid pressure under the normal hydraulic control mode and to hold the fluid pressure within a range corresponding to the balanced position under the current consumption decrease mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Teruyuki DEISHI, Shunji Kamo, Shinya Abe
  • Patent number: 7878944
    Abstract: To provide a control method for a power transmission device which can prevent the generation of impacts and noises when a speed change mechanism is changed over from a neutral state to a first speed gear without using a brake mechanism. In a control method of a power transmission device for controlling a power transmission device for transmitting a rotational power of a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine to an output side by way of a clutch mechanism and a speed change mechanism, the speed change mechanism is automatically changed over from a neutral state to a first speed gear during a period from a point in time Ts at which an ignition switch is turned on to a point in time at which an engine rotational speed arrives at a steady-state idling rotational speed Nid due to the starting of an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Ozeki, Yoshiaki Tsukada, Akihiko Tomoda, Haruomi Sugita
  • Patent number: 7877184
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle includes a required torque calculating portion that calculates required drive torque required of the vehicle; a running mode switching portion that switches between a motor running mode and a hybrid running mode according to the calculated required drive torque; a torque distribution control portion that sets the torque distribution between front and rear wheels according to the switched running mode; a gear noise preventing portion that prevents gear noise in a gear mechanism by changing the set torque distribution between the front and rear wheels when a predetermined gear noise producing condition is satisfied; and a drive torque control portion that calculates drive torques of the front and rear wheels based on the calculated required drive torque and the changed torque distribution and controls the torques of the engine and the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideto Watanabe, Yasuo Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20110015838
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission 4 for a vehicle includes a variator 20 that modifies a speed ratio continuously and a subtransmission mechanism 30 that is connected in series to the variator 20 and applies a first speed and a second speed, which is higher than the first speed, selectively. When the vehicle is running under a low load/high speed upshift condition having a lower load or a higher speed than a normal upshift condition, the subtransmission mechanism 30 is upshifted from the first speed to the second speed at a lower vehicle speed than under the normal upshift condition, and as a result, both rotation variation in an internal combustion engine 1 accompanying upshifting of the subtransmission mechanism 30 and an increase in a fuel consumption amount of the internal combustion engine 1 due to the shift operation in the continuously variable transmission 4 are suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Seiichiro TAKAHASHI, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Ryousuke Nonomura, Jouji Seki, Takuichiro Inoue, Mamiko Inoue, Tatsuo Ochiai
  • Publication number: 20110015037
    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: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: John J. Koenig
  • Patent number: 7867137
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle drivetrain with at least an automatic transmission and a drive motor. The automatic transmission includes at least five shift elements to transmit torque and/or power. In each of the forward and reverse gears, at least three shift elements are engaged and the remaining shift elements are disengaged. Two consecutive gearshifts are carried out through selection of the five shift elements. During a first gearshift, implemented as a multiple gearshift, a subsequent second gearshift, implemented as either a single or multiple gearshift, is prepared. During the first gearshift, a first shift element is disengaged, a second shift element is engaged, a third shift element is prepared for disengagement in a subsequent second gearshift and a fourth shift element is prepared for engagement. Further, during the first gearshift and the subsequent second gearshift, a fifth shift element is retained in at least a substantially engaged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Christian Popp
  • Patent number: 7857728
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an automatic transmission including a plurality of frictional elements each arranged to be engaged by receiving supply of an engagement pressure regulated by a solenoid, and being arranged to attain a plurality of gear stages by combination of engagements of the frictional elements, the control apparatus includes a failure occurrence sensing section configured to sense an occurrence of a failure-induced disengagement in one of the frictional elements based on a failure of one of the solenoids, based on an engine racing by a depression of an accelerator pedal in a state in which ranges other than a parking range and a neutral range are selected during a stop of a vehicle; and a command output section configured to output a limp home mode command to attain one of the gear stages to enable the vehicle to start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Hajime Tasaka, Hirofumi Michioka, Fumitaka Nagashima, Yutaka Tohyama, Jun Kagawa
  • Patent number: 7860631
    Abstract: A method of operating a transmission of a vehicle. The method includes determining an open loop ratio percentage from an engine RPM input signal and a brake input signal using a first algorithm. Determining a closed loop ratio percentage from the engine RPM input signal, a vehicle RPM input signal and a throttle input signal using a second algorithm. Summing the open loop percentage and closed loop ratio percentage to calculate a ratio command percentage that is used to sum with a swashplate input to actuate a swashplate positioner and operate the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith R. Williams
  • Patent number: 7846063
    Abstract: A method for real time determination of a base torque value, representative of maximum available torque of an engine at a specified engine rpm, as a function of engine torque during predetermined engine conditions. The base torque value is used to determine shift points for an automatic transmission of an self propelled work machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Garth H. Bulgrien
  • Publication number: 20100285921
    Abstract: A method of operating a drivetrain of a motor vehicle. The drivetrain comprises a transmission arranged between a drive assembly and an axle drive, such that an input shaft of the transmission is connected, via a controllable separator clutch, to the drive assembly and an output shaft of the transmission is connected to the axle drive, and such that the transmission comprises at least one shifting element formed as a claw clutch. To reduce the probability that a tooth-on-tooth position may occur in a shifting element formed as a claw clutch, a torque is applied thereto by at least one transmission-internal assembly and/or at least one transmission-external assembly so that a speed difference at the claw clutch approaches a predetermined nominal value, and engagement of the claw clutch is only started when the speed difference of the claw clutch reaches the nominal value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Martin Miller, Mario Steinborn, Jochen Breuer, Josef Bader, Andreas Graf, Thomas Hafen
  • Publication number: 20100285922
    Abstract: A method of operating a drivetrain of a vehicle comprising an engine, a clutch and a transmission comprising a claw-shifted main transmission and a synchronized upstream and/or downstream group, such that shifting from a current gear to a target gear is accomplished by actuating one of the synchronized upstream or downstream group and without actuating the engaged clutch and the claw-shifted main transmission. The method includes reducing engine torque and, when the engine torque is less than or equal to a limit value, the synchronized upstream or downstream group is actuated to disengage the currant gear. Then, when the engine torque is approximately zero, the synchronized downstream or upstream group is disengaged and held in neutral, and the speed of the engine is then adjusted to a target speed. The synchronized upstream or downstream group is actuated to engage the target gear and upon engagement the engine torque is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Jochen Breuer, Mario Steinborn
  • Publication number: 20100273607
    Abstract: A method for operating a drive train in a motor vehicle with a dual mass flywheel driven by an internal combustion engine via a crankshaft and at least a transmission input shaft of a transmission that can be coupled with an output part of the dual mass flywheel. Between the input part and output part a hysteresis-laden damping device is effective, which influences engine torque output from the internal combustion engine and load torque transmitted to at least a transmission input shaft through the hysteresis characteristic. To eliminate the disturbances caused by the dual mass flywheel a state model constantly determines rotation speeds of the input part and of the output part and depending on a differential angle determined from the rotation speeds and from the characteristic numbers of the damping device, a characteristic disturbance torque for influencing at least the load torque is determined in real time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: LUK LAMELLEN UND KUPPLUNGSBAU BETEILIGUNGS KG
    Inventors: Thomas Winkler, Ali Dagdan
  • Patent number: 7819037
    Abstract: A shift control device is provided for reducing a shock generated at a clutch engagement moment in a gearshift operation in a straddle type vehicle having a shift control device that makes the clutch operation and the gearshift operation using the power of an actuator. The actuator is controlled based upon a rotational position and a speed of a shift shaft. When the rotational position of the shift shaft is located between a first position and a second position, the shift shaft is rotated at a speed slower than a rotational speed at which the shift shaft is rotated before reaching the first position to engage a gearshift clutch at a low speed. The first position and the second position are set in such a manner that the gearshift clutch is in a halfway engaged state when the shift shaft is located at a rotational position between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazutaka Hiroi, Shigeo Morisugi, Masao Sugita
  • Publication number: 20100261578
    Abstract: A load sensor assembly for measuring an amount of torque transmitted through a torque establishing element includes a core mounted on a transmission housing and a load sensor mounted on the core. The load sensor is positioned against a portion of the torque establishing element whereby a portion of the amount of torque transmitted through the torque establishing element travels through the load sensor and is measured. A cable is connected to the load sensor for transmitting a signal representative of the amount of torque to a transmission controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Yuji Fujii, Ted D. Snyder, Gregory Michael Pietron, James William Loch McCallum, Mohamed Redissi, David Popejoy, Jau-Wen Tseng, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Publication number: 20100250075
    Abstract: A vehicle control device for controlling a vehicle drive device that includes an input member that is drive coupled to an engine, an output member that is drive coupled to a wheel, and a transmission apparatus that has a plurality of engaging elements, that switches a plurality of shift speeds by controlling engaging and releasing of the plurality of the engaging elements, and that transmits to the output member a rotational driving force of the input member by shifting the rotational driving force at gear ratios of the plurality of the shift speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takehiko Suzuki, Kyosuke Komizo, Takahiro Sekii, Yasuhiko Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7789795
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling overall transmission ratios in a vehicle powertrain with an engine, fixed multiple-ratio gearing and infinitely variable ratio components. For a given vehicle speed and for a given vehicle traction wheel horsepower, the fixed multiple-ratio gearing and the infinitely variable ratio components are controlled to operate with an overall ratio that will permit the engine to operate with optimum efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Ian Daniel McKenzie, Craig Steven Jacobs
  • Patent number: 7784441
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a direct start engine, an automatic transmission having a threshold fluid pressure sufficient for enabling operation of the transmission when the engine is off, a controller, and a fuel delivery system. The controller determines the presence of predetermined engine states, and optimizes a stop-and-go functionality of the engine. The fuel delivery system includes a motor and an integrated pump assembly having a secondary high-pressure (HP) fuel pump which is selectively connectable to a rotatable shaft of the motor, and a secondary low-pressure (LP) fluid pump which is continuously connected to the shaft. The motor continuously energizes the secondary LP fluid pump via the rotatable shaft to thereby maintain the threshold fluid pressure during a first or second engine state, and selectively energizes the secondary HP fuel pump via the rotatable shaft to maintain the threshold fuel pressure during the second engine state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Hsu-Chiang Miao, Kenneth J. Shoemaker, Thomas R. Brown
  • Publication number: 20100210416
    Abstract: In a hydraulic control apparatus for a vehicle automatic transmission, a check valve is provided parallel to a first oil passageway switching valve and a third oil passageway switching valve between an output port of a linear solenoid valve and a brake, and the check valve permits pressure oil to flow from the brake to the output port side, and blocks the flow thereof in the opposite direction. Therefore, the pressure oil from the brake when the brake is released is supplied to the output port via the check valve, not via the first or third oil passageway switching valve. Therefore, when the brake is released, the engaging pressure of the brake can be controlled by the linear solenoid valve, and the positions of the first and third oil passageway switching valves are not restricted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akiko Nishimine, Hideki Miyata
  • Publication number: 20100204008
    Abstract: A first hydraulic circuit leads, as clutch control pressure, pressurized oil supplied from a first hydraulic pump, to a transmission control device after regulating the pressurized oil, and leads, as torque converter operation oil, pressured oil to a torque converter, and leads pressurized oil to an oil cooler. Through a second hydraulic circuit, pressurized oil from a second hydraulic pump is distributed to a circuit portion downstream of the pressure regulation valve and upstream of a safety valve and to a circuit portion downstream of the torque converter and upstream of the oil cooler. A flow control device changes a proportion of a rate of flow in the second hydraulic circuit so that a proportion of the rate of flow to the circuit portion downstream of the torque converter and upstream of the oil cooler increases as pressure at an entrance of the torque converter increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Azuma, Atsushi Shimazu, Masaki Yoshikawa, Kosei Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7774119
    Abstract: A shift control system of an automatic transmission and a method thereof include controlling the off-going and on-coming clutches according to hydraulic pressures of the off-going and on-coming clutches calculated based on a flare amount when a flare occurs, controlling the on-coming clutch according to hydraulic pressure of the on-coming clutch calculated based on a shifting time interval when the flare does not occur and the shifting time interval is smaller than or equal to a predetermined time interval, and controlling the off-going and on-coming clutches according to hydraulic pressures of the off-going and on-coming clutches calculated based on an excess rate of change of a turbine speed when the shifting time interval is larger than a predetermined time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyun Soo Shim
  • Patent number: 7765050
    Abstract: In one example, a traction control system for a vehicle is shown. The system adjusts a relationship between powertrain output and pedal actuation in response to at least one of road grade and direction of wheel spin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Davor Hrovat, Michael Fodor, Mitch McConnell
  • Patent number: 7758468
    Abstract: A powertrain control system for management and supervision of engine and servo-assisted gearbox control modules is arranged for determining the power to be applied to the drive wheels of the vehicle as a function of signals indicative of commands imparted by the driver, of the engine and gearbox state parameters and of possible requirements from the engine and gearbox control modules and supplementary on board vehicle traction/drive control systems; calculating data indicative of the torque to be delivered at the engine drive shaft, the torque transmissible by the clutch and the required transmission ratio, as a function of the determined value of the power to be applied to the drive wheels, of the state parameters and of the requirements of the engine and gearbox control modules and the traction/drive control systems; and transmitting the calculated data as signals to the engine and gearbox control modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: CRF Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Constantinos Vafidis, Gianluca Morra, Giancarlo Osella, Corrado Elia, Gianpiero Einaudi, Aldo Perotto, Savino Luigi Lupo, Michele Pennese
  • Patent number: 7749136
    Abstract: A method for the adjustment of a gearbox actuation system of an automated gearbox of a vehicle. The gearbox includes a shift finger; a plurality of gearshift rails, each rail in the plurality of gearshift rails in a respective position; a neutral gap with a first portion formed by respective jaws for said each rail and with a second portion formed separate from the respective jaws and open to the first portion; and, a gearshift motor. The method includes the step of performing at least one reference travel with a gear in the automated gearbox engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Klaus Kupper, Klaus Henneberger, Jorg Metzger, Reinhard Berger, Frank Stengel
  • Patent number: 7747374
    Abstract: The driving force control unit for a vehicle comprises a plurality of control modes for controlling a driving force, each of control modes having each driving force characteristic, a vehicle driving condition detecting unit for detecting a vehicle driving condition, a selector for selecting one control mode from the control modes, a temporary selector for changing the current mode to other mode, and a driving force indication value setting unit for setting a driving force indication value according to the vehicle driving condition and the driving force characteristic corresponding to the selected mode by the selector or the temporary selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Masuda, Kenichi Yamamoto, Kenji Hijikata, Satoshi Satomura, Hiroshi Oishi, Toyohide Sunaguchi, Yoshio Iwakami, Munenori Homma, Atsushi Atake, Kouji Kaneda, Tatsuru Fukuda, Minoru Yuki, Masayuki Ushiki, Tsuyoshi Kobayashi, Masahito Motoi, Naoki Shibata, Hiroshi Ogiwara, Katsumasa Igarashi, Junzo Shinozuka, Akihisa Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7742865
    Abstract: The driving force control unit comprises a plurality of control modes for controlling a driving force, each of control modes having each driving force characteristic; a vehicle driving condition detecting unit for detecting a vehicle driving condition; a selector for selecting one control mode from the plurality of control modes; a driving force setting unit for setting a driving force indication value according to the driving force characteristic selected by the selector based on the vehicle driving condition; and a shift lever position detector for detecting a shift lever position of a transmission. The control mode includes a reverse control mode having a reverse driving force characteristic suitable for traveling the vehicle in reverse direction. The driving force setting unit changes the control mode to the reverse control mode when the shift lever is detected in a position of a reverse range, and sets the driving force indication value according to the reverse driving force characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Masuda, Kenichi Yamamoto, Kenji Hijikata, Satoshi Satomura, Hiroshi Oishi, Toyohide Sunaguchi, Yoshio Iwakami, Munenori Homma, Atsushi Atake, Kouji Kaneda, Tatsuru Fukuda, Minoru Yuki, Masayuki Ushiki, Tsuyoshi Kobayashi, Masahito Motoi, Naoki Shibata, Hiroshi Ogiwara, Katsumasa Igarashi, Junzo Shinozuka, Akihisa Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7727115
    Abstract: A two speed transmission and belt drive system utilizing the transmission. The two speed transmission comprises a planetary gear train comprising an input pulley connected to an input carrier, and a sun gear and a ring gear. The input carrier also comprises a plurality of planetary gears disposed between the sun gear and the ring gear. The sun gear is engaged with an electromagnetic brake member. The ring gear is engaged with an output pulley. A one-way clutch is disposed between the input carrier and the output shaft. The brake member is engaged at engine idle and is disengaged at engine speeds above idle. When the brake member is engaged the sun gear does not rotate, thereby driving the ring gear and output pulley at a greater speed than the input pulley. An accessory pulley operates with the transmission output pulley resulting in an accessory speed that is proportional to an engine speed at idle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander Serkh