By Acceleration Patents (Class 477/120)
  • Patent number: 9709161
    Abstract: A shift control apparatus of an automatic transmission may include a data detector configured to detect driving data to perform a shift control, and a vehicle controller configured to determine a shift gear stage based on the driving data and control a transmission based on the shift gear stage, in which the vehicle controller sets driver's demand acceleration based on the driving data, sets a gear stage range which arrives at the driver's demand acceleration, and sets a target gear stage, at which fuel consumption is minimized, in the gear stage range to instruct a shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Beomsoo Kim
  • Patent number: 9671017
    Abstract: A transmission control device includes a converter that converts continuous accelerator positions detected by an accelerator pedal sensor into a stepped step position, and a controller that controls the gear ratio of a continuously variable transmission based on the converted step position. The converter creates a hysteresis regarding the converted step position, when the accelerator depression amount increases, and when the accelerator depression amount decreases. In the case where the step position reaches a predetermined position or greater, the controller executes kick-down control where the gear ratio is controlled to a low side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Keisuke Ajimoto
  • Patent number: 9650035
    Abstract: A control apparatus is applied to a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and a second MG as driving sources, and a power split mechanism which is capable of changing and transmitting to an output portion transmitting torque to drive wheel, a rotating speed of the internal combustion engine. And, the hybrid vehicle is capable of switching a gear ratio mode of the power split mechanism between a variable gear ratio mode and a fixed gear ratio mode. The control apparatus determines whether or not a switching of the gear ratio modes is prohibited based on a vehicle speed and a gradient of a road. And, when it is determined that the switching is prohibited, the control apparatus maintains the gear ratio mode in the variable gear ratio mode or the fixed gear ratio mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Itagaki, Naofumi Magarida, Youmei Hakumura
  • Patent number: 9630610
    Abstract: A driving force control system for a vehicle having a mechanism for changing an engine speed continuously. The driving force control system basically controls said mechanism in a manner such that the engine speed is adjusted to optimize fuel economy. The driving force control system is configured to determine an index representing a demand to enhance agility of behavior of the vehicle based on an actual behavior of the vehicle or an amount of operation carried out by a driver to cause said behavior. An upper limit value of the engine speed of the case in which a drive demand is increased is determined on the basis of the index, and the upper limit value is set to the higher value with an increase in the index representing the demand to enhance agility of behavior of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keisuke Takeuchi, Takeshi Hayashi, Yoshimitsu Agata, Toshio Tanahashi, Shin Noumura, Kazuo Tsuruoka, Hiroki Kaneko, Tomoyuki Honda
  • Patent number: 9604645
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing a multiple gear downshift of a transmission gear by transiently operating in an intermediate gear. In response to ambient humidity and a condensate level in a charge air cooler, the transmission gear may be downshifted from a higher gear to an intermediate gear, and then to a requested lower gear. Downshifting through an intermediate gear may also be controlled based on the gear shift request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Shuya Shark Yamada
  • Patent number: 9574657
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a transmission, and a controller. The transmission includes a pressure control solenoid (PCS) valve device having a PCS and a regulating valve, a friction clutch, and a clutch piston in fluid communication with the regulating valve. The piston is operable to apply a clutch pressure to the friction clutch during a shift of the transmission. The controller is programmed to receive an acceleration value describing a lateral and/or longitudinal acceleration force of the vehicle, calculate the clutch pressure using the received acceleration value, and control an operation of the regulating valve via the PCS using the calculated clutch pressure. The acceleration value may be determined via one or more accelerometers or calculated. A method is also disclosed for compensating for acceleration in control of the regulating valve in a vehicle having a transmission that includes a friction clutch, PCS, and regulating valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Shawn M. Harris, Timothy R. Stockdale, Joel H. Gunderson
  • Patent number: 9457802
    Abstract: A vehicle executing a turn will most likely be slowed down before the turn and when a driver activates a turn signal to indicate the turn, a vehicle internal controller uses this information to engage regenerative braking for energy recapture while slowing down the vehicle for the pending turn. Since the turn signal is usually activated very early in the turn event, and turns are an ongoing, frequent part of driving, a greater overall vehicle efficiency can be realized without special effort from the driver. Implementation is relatively simple for the manufacturer and adds no cost since the controllers and sensors are already installed on nearly all roadworthy vehicles. Fuel mileage and vehicle driving ranges are improved on a large scale and brake system wear is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Inventor: Richard Louis Ponziani
  • Patent number: 9429229
    Abstract: A shift control device for a continuously variable transmission includes a downhill control module that executes downhill control in which a gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission is corrected to a low side during driving downhill, and a gear ratio holding module that, in the case where a braking operation is detected while downhill control is executed, the gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission is held at the gear ratio at the time when the braking operation is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Keisuke Ajimoto
  • Patent number: 9423027
    Abstract: The apparatus is configured to compare the calculated value (NDRCMDZ) of the desired input shaft rotational speed with the desired input shaft rotational speed upper limit (#NDRCMDMX) set in relation to an energy supply cut-off rotational speed (NEFC), determine the desired input shaft rotational speed upper limit (#NDRCMDMX) as the desired input shaft rotational speed (NDRCMD) when it is determined that the calculated value (NDRCMDZ) does exceed the desired input shaft rotational speed upper limit, and determine the calculated value (NDRCMDZ) as the desired input shaft rotational speed (NDRCMD) when it is determined that the calculated value does not exceed the desired input shaft rotational speed upper limit (#NDRCMDMX).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ayae Ikuro
  • Patent number: 9353856
    Abstract: A method provides for adapting shifts to be carried out in a transmission of a motor vehicle. The shifts are triggered by a transmission control unit and are is controlled and/or governed by the transmission control unit. An actual value corresponding to an acceleration of the motor vehicle is recorded by measuring instruments and is compared to a corresponding target value. On the basis of a deviation between the actual value and the target value, the carrying out of the subsequent shifts of the transmission control unit is adapted. The actual value corresponding to an acceleration of the motor vehicle is individually recorded for several consecutive shift stages of each shift, whereas the actual value in the individual shift stages is compared to the target value in the individual shift stages of the transmission control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSCAFEN AG
    Inventors: Rudolf Kalthoff, Jörg Kurth, Roland Mair, Thomas Jäger, Florian Schneider
  • Patent number: 9324029
    Abstract: A method of determining a short term driving tendency and a system of controlling shift using the same that reflects precisely a will of a driver on the shift by determining a short term driving tendency is disclosed. The method may include detecting input variables, determining whether determination condition of the short term driving tendency is satisfied, calculating tendencies and output membership function values according to a plurality of fuzzy rules based on the input variables if the determination condition of the short term driving tendency is satisfied, and determining a short term driving tendency index based on the tendencies and the output membership function values according to the plurality of fuzzy rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Byeong Wook Jeon, Joseph D. Chang, Dong Hoon Jeong
  • Patent number: 9322305
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling an automotive electric oil pump are provided. The method of controlling an oil pump can minimize power consumption of a vehicle and improve the fuel efficiency accordingly by learning the performance of the electric oil pump and operating the electric oil pump based on performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hak Sung Lee, Sang Hyun Jeong, Sang Lok Song, Jae Shin Yi, Yoh Han Kim, Jong Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 9290175
    Abstract: A vehicle control system is provided to control driving force to improve turning performance in a vehicle having an automatic transmission without causing conflict with a shifting control of the transmission. The vehicle control system comprises: a shifting means that carries out a shifting operation of the transmission based on an execution condition including an execution threshold governed by a vehicle speed and an operating amount of an accelerator performed by a driver; a driving force controlling means that carries out a turning performance improving control for stabilizing a vehicle behavior by controlling a driving force during turning; and a shifting condition correcting means that corrects a value of the operating amount of the accelerator as the execution condition during execution of the turning performance improving control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hayato Yoshikawa, Hitoshi Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 9242648
    Abstract: A system and method for enabling a machine to drive through its parking brake when in first gear include detecting that the machine transmission is in its lowest gear in a selected direction, that the machine parking brake is activated, such that the machine is stationary, and that the throttle setting of the machine exceeds a predetermined throttle threshold value. In this state, one or more auxiliary loads of the machine are dropped to provide additional torque to the ground engaging elements of the machine, such that there is sufficient torque to drive the machine through the parking brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Allen, Bryan T. Siegel, Norval Thomson
  • Patent number: 9243708
    Abstract: A system for control of a gearbox: At least one control unit controls the gearbox in a motor vehicle which comprises an engine connected to drive the gearbox. The system responds to receiving an indication by choosing for the gearbox a gear among various possible gears which causes the engine to reach a desired speed ?KD in a shorter time than with any other gear from among the various possible gears. Also, a method, a motor vehicle, a computer program and a computer program product thereof for performing the method are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: SCANIA CV AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Swartling, Mikael Öun
  • Patent number: 9233691
    Abstract: A power distribution method for electric vehicle driven by two power sources includes executing a first power distribution law by a vehicle control unit, wherein the first power distribution law sets a distribution ratio according to a vehicle speed of the electric vehicle, a torque demand, and a current gear of a transmission. The powers outputted by first and second motors are adjusted according to the distribution ratio such that the first and second motors can operate at the most efficient operation points to increase the operational efficiency of the electric vehicle driven by two power sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Inventors: Chyuan-Yow Tseng, Han-Wei Tang, Bo-Peng Li
  • Patent number: 9200898
    Abstract: A method and a system for estimating a road gradient ? by using a sensor fusion: Detect whether at least one dynamic process is affecting the vehicle. Estimate gradient ? by means of the sensor fusion by joint weighting of at least two input signals to the sensor fusion. The at least two input signals include a signal based on an accelerometer and an input signal based on at least one force equation. At least one of the input signals and/or at least one weighting parameter for the sensor fusion are determined on the basis of detecting whether the at least one dynamic process is affecting the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: SCANIA CV AB
    Inventors: Mattias Nilsson, Erik Öhlund
  • Patent number: 9182774
    Abstract: A method for operating an accelerator pedal unit for motor vehicles, wherein a change in position of the pedal plate, which is brought about by a corresponding activation force, with respect to the starting position of said pedal plate counter to a restoring force of a pedal restoring spring brings about an increase in the driving force of the drive motor of the motor vehicle, and when the activation force diminishes the restoring force of the pedal restoring spring moves the pedal plate back in the direction of its starting position, wherein an electromechanical actuator which can be actuated externally is arranged in such a way that an additional restoring force acting on the pedal plate can be set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Drews, Peter Habel, Carmelo Leone
  • Patent number: 9139190
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a vehicle includes a target rotational speed calculator, a transmission controller, a fuel supply stop controller, and an inhibition controller. The target rotational speed calculator is configured to calculate a target rotational speed of an internal combustion engine in accordance with a drive condition of the vehicle. The transmission controller is configured to change a transmission gear ratio of an automatic transmission so that a rotational speed of an output shaft of the internal combustion engine approaches the target rotational speed. The output shaft of the internal combustion engine is connected to the automatic transmission via a transfer mechanism. The fuel supply stop controller is configured to stop supplying fuel to the internal combustion engine if a predetermined fuel supply stop condition is satisfied during deceleration of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Oki, Toshiaki Ichoda
  • Patent number: 9115805
    Abstract: A method for determining the return spring pressure of a clutch in a vehicle transmission includes using proportion-integral-derivative (PID) control logic of a controller to introduce a calibrated error into a pressure command of a holding clutch during a coast-down maneuver of the vehicle. The calibrated error causes a slip level to occur across the holding clutch. The method includes maintaining the slip level using the PID control logic and separately commanding engine torque at different threshold low values during the coast-down maneuver. The pressure/input torque relationship for the holding clutch is recorded for both threshold low levels as the controller continues to maintain the slip. The return spring pressure is calculated using the recorded pressure/input torque relationship. The holding clutch may be controlled a subsequent shift maneuver using the learned return spring pressure. A vehicle is also disclosed having a controller configured to execute steps of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Todd J. Thor
  • Patent number: 9108626
    Abstract: When simultaneous depression of an accelerator pedal (2) and a brake pedal (4) is detected, an electronic control unit (1) inhibits a downshift of an automatic transmission (11) and performs output suppression control for an engine (6), thereby making it possible to suppress the increase of vehicle drive force caused by the downshift and maintain a constant vehicle deceleration rate by an easier operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akihiro Kida, Masashi Takagi, Michihito Shimada, Shinya Kodama, Motonari Obayashi, Hiroshi Shimada, Takamasa Kitamura, Akito Oonishi
  • Patent number: 9045128
    Abstract: Provided is a drive system that enables a reduction in the rise time of foot axis torque even if the drive system has a one-way clutch. The drive system includes a one-way clutch between a transmission and an output shaft. When a coasting determination unit determines to perform a coasting control, a control unit executes the coasting control by reducing the engine rotation speed of an internal combustion engine or stopping the engine rotation to bring the one-way clutch into a non-transmission state, and changing the transmission gear ratio of the transmission to a transmission gear ratio smaller than the transmission gear ratio calculated by a calculation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Iwadare, Satoshi Kodo, Tsunehiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8996265
    Abstract: A control device of a hybrid vehicle includes an engine and an electric motor, a clutch, and an automatic transmission. The motor is the only drive power source when the clutch is released. The control device is configured such that when a request for increasing drive torque while the motor is running is made, if start control of the engine and downshift control of the automatic transmission overlap, clutch engagement completion is a starting point to start a rotational change of an input rotation speed of the transmission toward a synchronous rotation speed after a shift, and a transmission torque capacity during the downshift control in the transmission until engagement completion of the clutch being set equal to or greater than an input torque of the transmission during the motor running and less than an input torque of the transmission at the time of engagement completion of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobufusa Kobayashi, Hideaki Otsubo
  • Patent number: 8992382
    Abstract: In a control apparatus for an automatic transmission in which a read-ahead vehicle speed which is a future vehicle speed is estimated on a basis of an acceleration and an actual vehicle speed and a gear shift control is carried out on a basis of the read-ahead vehicle speed and other driving parameters, a start of an up-shift is inhibited even if a determination of the up-shift is made for a predetermined time after a down-shift in a coast state has occurred and executing the up-shift after the predetermined time is elapsed. Consequently, while an unpleasant feeling given to a driver is suppressed, an appropriate gear shift is executable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Matsuo, Shunsuke Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 8977454
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for grade-based anti-hunt shift control of an automatic transmission powering a machine. A shift controller determines a recommended gear in which to operate the transmission and sets an anti-hunt timer upon recommending a shift from a first gear to a second gear. The anti-hunt timer prevents a subsequent shift back to the first gear while the anti-hunt timer is running. A grade-based controller is configured to track machine operation and to determine when the machine operational factors change such that an estimated steady state gear differs from the second gear. When such a change is encountered, the grade-based controller clears the anti-hunt timer and sets a secondary timer. The clearing of the anti-hunt timer allows a downshift to accommodate the detected grade while the setting of the secondary timer prevents a subsequent clearing of the anti-hunt timer while the secondary timer is running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Tipton, James W. Landes, Justin L. Steinlage
  • Patent number: 8972132
    Abstract: A method of controlling a transmission includes detecting an occurrence of a downshift in the transmission from a first gear ratio to a second gear ratio. A determination is made whether the vehicle is operating within a freeway speed range, and whether an accelerator pedal is depressed at least a minimum percentage of a fully depressed position. When the downshift from the high gear ratio to the low gear ratio is detected, the vehicle is operating within the freeway speed range, and the accelerator pedal is depressed at least the minimum percentage of the fully depressed position, a countdown timer is started to count down from a pre-defined time to zero. An upshift of the transmission from the second gear ratio to the first gear ratio is restricted while the countdown timer defines a time that is greater than zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Eric Piper, Alexander K. Rustoni, John Janczak, Samantha Victoria Lado
  • Patent number: 8951163
    Abstract: Provided is a control device for a vehicle that can switch between an automatic gear shift mode in which gear shifting of the automatic transmission is performed according to a vehicle traveling condition, and a manual gear shift mode in which gear shifting of the automatic transmission is performed according to a driver operation, and that changes drive force characteristics by controlling output torque of the drive source at the time of a gear shift mode switch. When the gear shift mode is switched between automatic and manual the control device selects an initial gear stage or an initial gear ratio for the gear shift mode switch such that the amount of change in drive force that accompanies the gear shift mode switch decreases, or such that the direction of change in drive force that accompanies the gear shift mode switch conforms to the driver's intention or expected sensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideaki Otsubo, Masayuki Baba, Takaaki Tokura
  • Patent number: 8944957
    Abstract: A method of controlling shifts in a multi-speed transmission includes beginning an initial shift, which changes the transmission from a starting gear to an initial target gear, and executing an adjusted shift, which changes the transmission to an adjusted target gear having higher speed ratio than the initial target gear, when transition conditions are satisfied. The transition conditions include a threshold increase in torque request, which is sufficient to require the transmission to be placed into the adjusted target gear. The transition conditions also include a common controlling clutch, which is an off-going clutch to place the transmission in the adjusted target gear. Executing the adjusted shift does not include placing the transmission in a neutral mode. Furthermore, executing the adjusted shift does not include completing the initial shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Harinath Atmaram, William R. Mayhew
  • Patent number: 8888656
    Abstract: A shift mistake detection apparatus detects an operation value of an accelerator pedal in a vehicle and a shift range selected by a shift operation of a driver of the vehicle (e.g. reverse, drive, park). The apparatus detects a shift mistake operation when (i) the shift range selected by the shift operation is in a reverse range and the vehicle begins to travel in reverse according to an operation of the accelerator pedal, and (ii) a steep step operation and a steep return operation of the accelerator pedal is detected. The steep step and return operations of the accelerator pedal have an operation value that is greater than or equal to a normal operation value, where the normal operation value may be a value detected when a driver of a vehicle intentionally travels in reverse (i.e., there is no shift mistake).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Kawamura, Tomohiro Tsujimura
  • Publication number: 20140315686
    Abstract: In a control apparatus for an automatic transmission in which a read-ahead vehicle speed which is a future vehicle speed is estimated on a basis of an acceleration and an actual vehicle speed and a gear shift control is carried out on a basis of the read-ahead vehicle speed and other driving parameters, a start of an up-shift is inhibited even if a determination of the up-shift is made for a predetermined time after a down-shift in a coast state has occurred and executing the up-shift after the predetermined time is elapsed. Consequently, while an unpleasant feeling given to a driver is suppressed, an appropriate gear shift is executable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Matsuo, Shunsuke Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 8868271
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a motor control system and method for a vehicle with a transmission comprising for improving the quality of shifting, by improving precision in shifting control with precise and active motor torque control by calculating a maximum and a minimum motor torque in response to determining a power-on up-shift for increasing a shifting gear and a power-off down-shift for decreasing the shifting gear in shifting of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sang Joon Kim
  • Patent number: 8858395
    Abstract: A method of controlling a machine includes receiving a torque demand associated with at least one of a first parasitic load and a second parasitic load. At least the first parasitic load receives power from a power source of the machine via a transmission coupled to the power source. The method also includes providing torque from the power source to the at least one of the first and second parasitic loads in response to receiving the torque demand. In such a method wherein torque is provided to the at least one of the first and second parasitic loads based on a torque priority value associated with the at least one of the first and second parasitic loads. In addition, the torque priority value is adjustable by an operator of the machine during operation of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Wei Li
  • Publication number: 20140302966
    Abstract: A method for optimised launch of a vehicle is provided wherein a driveline of the vehicle at least includes an engine, an automatic transmission, a system for exhaust gas recirculation, which are controlled by a driveline management system, wherein the management system is able to determine the mass of the vehicle, and whereby a launching, gear of the transmission is calculated dependent at least on the determined mass of the vehicle, whereby a launching gear is chosen dependent of the power loss caused by the EGR and wherein the power loss caused by the EGR is determined, the available power to launch the vehicle is determined, and the launching gear is recalculated dependent of the available power, and selecting said recalculated launching gear before launch of the vehicle, launch the vehicle with the recalculated launching gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Anders Eriksson, Johan Bjernetun
  • Patent number: 8855877
    Abstract: A method for controlling gearshifts of an automatic transmission includes preventing an upshift while the vehicle accelerates on an ascending grade, if predicted vehicle acceleration in a target gear is less than a reference vehicle acceleration in the target gear; accelerating the vehicle on the grade; and producing the upshift, if predicted vehicle acceleration in the target gear is greater than a reference vehicle acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brad Probert, Jeremy L. Russell, Cory B. LaRoche, Philip J. Wiethe
  • Patent number: 8784267
    Abstract: A method of controlling a rolling or a coasting function of a vehicle, such as a commercial vehicle, having a drive train including a drive motor, an automatic or automated transmission that is controllable by transmission controls, a controllable shifting mechanism for interrupting the flow of power in the drive train, and a driving speed control device. The flow of power in the drive train is interrupted in a suitable driving situation. In order for the rolling or the coasting function to be exploited as efficiently as possible, and still be terminated safely and comfortably, the flow of power in the drive train is restored depending on a selectable difference in speed (?v_F_T) between the current vehicle speed (v_F) and a speed limit (v_T) set by the driving speed control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Joachim Staudinger, Maik Wurthner
  • Patent number: 8781695
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to control the pickup on an uphill slope of an automotive vehicle provided with an automatic or robotized gearbox provide the definition of a control strategy of the gear box operation, also according to the gradient of the uphill slope, which is preferably calculated based on a longitudinal acceleration value of the automotive vehicle, and based on the altitude at which the automotive vehicle can be found, which is preferably calculated based on a detected atmospheric pressure value. In this way, it is also possible to consider the reduction in the engine torque due to the reduction in the air density with altitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Bianco, Claudio Cervone, Giuseppe Gatti, Giuseppe Lorusso, Euplio Pagliarulo, Francesco Cimmino
  • Patent number: 8768584
    Abstract: Systems, methods and controllers for facilitating or providing a more efficient operation of a vehicle are disclosed. An accelerator input is detected from an accelerator sensor and it is determined whether the accelerator input is within a first range of values or within a second range of values. If it is determined that the accelerator input is within the first range of values, an engine is controlled to provide limited or no power to a transmission. If it is determined that the accelerator input is within the second range of values, the engine is controlled to provide a substantially constant power to the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Mohammad E. Dufford
  • Patent number: 8725367
    Abstract: In a control apparatus and a control method for a vehicle automatic transmission in which a plurality of gears with different speed ratios are achieved by selectively engaging a plurality of friction engagement devices and a one-way clutch, if an acceleration request is made in the case where the one-way clutch is in an idling state when a first predetermined gear is to be achieved by engaging the one-way clutch, a pre-synchronization control is executed to transmit torque through a predetermined friction engagement device used to achieve a second predetermined gear at which the one-way clutch is maintained in an idling state, and to continue to change a rotational direction of the one-way clutch toward a rotational direction in which the one-way clutch is brought to a synchronized state, according to the acceleration request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takaaki Tokura, Hideaki Otsubo, Motonori Kimura
  • Patent number: 8712654
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of selecting and implementing a shift schedule for a transmission in a vehicle that includes an output speed sensor and a controller. The method includes measuring output speed with the output speed sensor and comparing the measured output speed to an output speed threshold. The controller receives throttle percentage and compares the throttle percentage to a throttle threshold. The method also includes calculating output acceleration and transmission gear ratio with the controller. The shift schedule is selected based on the measured output speed, calculated output acceleration, calculated transmission gear ratio, and throttle percentage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Shultz, Jared S. Shattuck
  • Patent number: 8700247
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes an engine, an electric machine, and a transmission. A method to control the powertrain includes monitoring operation of the powertrain, determining whether conditions necessary for growl to occur excluding motor torque and engine torque are present, and if the conditions are present controlling the powertrain based upon avoiding a powertrain operating region wherein the growl is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Wise, Chihang Lin, Anthony H. Heap
  • Patent number: 8694216
    Abstract: A method for control of a gearbox, installed in a motor vehicle (1): The method effects a downshift of the gearbox (20) from a first gear (G1), for which the acceleration ? of the vehicle (1) is negative, to a second gear (G2), for which the acceleration ? is positive or substantially equal to nil. The downshift involves at least one intermediate gear step between the first gear (G1) and the second gear (G2), using an engine speed ?G1 in the first gear (G1) as an input parameter when effecting the downshift. Also a system, a motor vehicle, a computer program and a computer program product for performing the method are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Swartling, Mikael Wågberg
  • Patent number: 8688335
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Swartling, Mikael Wågberg
  • Patent number: 8676459
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a powertrain of a vehicle having an engine configured to output a variable torque, can include a transmission with a plurality of gear ratios and selectively driven by the variable torque, and a pair of wheels selectively driven by the transmission. The system can include a longitudinal acceleration sensor and a controller. The controller can be in electrical communication with the longitudinal acceleration sensor. The controller can be configured to determine an inertial value of the vehicle based on data from the longitudinal acceleration sensor prior to a shift from one of the plurality of gear ratios to another of the plurality of gear ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Darren F. Stursa, Joshua D. Sigmund
  • Patent number: 8670907
    Abstract: A first acceleration gear ratio is acquired for accelerating a host vehicle in a first acceleration zone following a first zone ahead of the host vehicle, and a second acceleration gear ratio is acquired for accelerating the host vehicle in a second acceleration zone following a second zone ahead of the first zone. A control is executed to set the gear ratio of the host vehicle to the first acceleration gear ratio in a first deceleration zone in order to decelerate the host vehicle before entering the first zone. A control is executed to set the gear ratio of the host vehicle to the second acceleration gear ratio when the host vehicle must decelerate with respect to the second zone while traveling in the first acceleration gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshito Kondou, Takayuki Miyajima, Atsushi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8634987
    Abstract: A creep travel capability of an electric vehicle is secured when an abnormality occurs in a brake sensor. When an accelerator operation amount reaches 0% in a low vehicle speed region, a target creep torque is set, whereupon a motor-generator is controlled toward the target creep torque. The target creep torque is reduced as a brake pedal is depressed in order to suppress heat generation and the like in the motor-generator during vehicle braking. Hence, in an electric vehicle in which the target creep torque is varied in accordance with the brake operation amount, when an abnormality occurs (step S11) in a brake sensor for detecting a brake operation amount, a preset prescribed creep torque is employed as the target creep torque regardless of the brake operation amount (step S15). The prescribed creep torque is set at a required magnitude for securing the creep travel capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Itaru Seta, Yosuke Ohtomo
  • Patent number: 8620540
    Abstract: A method for control of a gearbox intended to be installed in a motor vehicle, which method effects a downshift of the gearbox from a first gear (G1) for which the acceleration a of the vehicle is negative to a second gear (G2) for which the acceleration a is positive or substantially equal to nil. The downshift involves at least one intermediate gear step between the first gear (G1) and the second gear (G2). Each intermediate step lasts a longer time than a threshold value Ti. A system, a motor vehicle, a computer program and a computer program product, which perform the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Swartling, Mikael Wågberg
  • Patent number: 8612105
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Swartling, Peter Asplund, Mikael Öun
  • Patent number: 8585551
    Abstract: An automobile comprising a continuously variable transmission (“CVT”) system including an acceleration input device, a CVT, and a processor. The acceleration input device generates acceleration input data indicating an amount of change in the acceleration input device, and a rate of change in the acceleration input device. The CVT includes a power source and a transmission output system. The power source operates at a transmission input speed, while the transmission output system operates at a transmission output speed. The transmission input speed over the transmission output speed comprises a gear ratio. The processor analyzes the acceleration input data to determine a target gear ratio. The processor can instruct the CVT to change the gear ratio to the target gear ratio at a rate corresponding to the rate of change in the acceleration input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Jordan Choby
  • Patent number: 8571748
    Abstract: A method is provided for estimating a propulsion-related operating parameter of a vehicle for a road segment, and for determining routes based on the estimate. The method may be employed, for example, in a vehicle navigation system. In one example method, at least one operating parameter of the vehicle is estimated for the road segment based on information corresponding to the road segment. The propulsion-related operating parameter is estimated for the road segment using the at least one estimated operating parameter and at least one vehicle specific parameter. The at least one vehicle specific parameter is determined by acquiring driving data to determine a plurality of vehicle operating parameters while the vehicle is in operation. At least two of the determined vehicle operating parameters are used in a predetermined relationship that includes the at least one vehicle specific parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Kluge, Alexey Pryakhin, Peter Kunath
  • Patent number: 8548712
    Abstract: An acceleration-based method and device for the safety monitoring of a drive is provided. In the method a setpoint torque is calculated in a safety function as a function of the position of the accelerator pedal. An expected vehicle acceleration is determined, as a function of the setpoint torque, in the safety function. An actual vehicle acceleration is determined, preferably by an acceleration sensor. A fault situation may be detected by comparing the actual vehicle acceleration and the expected vehicle acceleration. A device, preferably included in the vehicle electronics, is configured to implement the acceleration-based method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Florian Oesterreicher, Juergen Binder