By Acceleration Patents (Class 477/120)
  • Publication number: 20130238203
    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: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Mohammad E. Dufford
  • Patent number: 8532891
    Abstract: A system for control of one or more gearshift points, including at least one control unit for controlling a gearbox in a motor vehicle. The engine is connected to, in order to drive, the gearbox, wherein the speed of the engine is controlled by an accelerator pedal which is connected to the engine and gearbox and can assume a plurality of positions. A shift point is controlled by the accelerator pedal and represents an engine speed at which the gearbox effects a downshift or upshift. The system operates in a first mode in which the one or more shift points are controlled on the basis of movements of the accelerator pedal, and also applies a limitation upon the change in the one or more shift points per unit time. Also a method, a motor vehicle, a computer program and a computer program product for the system are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventor: Fredrik Swartling
  • Patent number: 8489293
    Abstract: A method for controlling a powertrain includes executing a shift, determining a plurality of input acceleration profiles for controlling an engine and an electric machine, determining an input speed profile, and controlling operation of the engine and the electric machine based upon the input speed profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Lawrence A. Kaminsky, Jy-Jen F. Sah
  • Patent number: 8485942
    Abstract: An engine and an automatic transmission are controlled by any one of automatic gear shift control that controls the engine based on a target engine torque based on a target driving force based on an accelerator open degree and a vehicle speed of a vehicle and controls a gear shift of the automatic transmission based on a gear shift instruction determined based on the target driving force, and manual gear shift control that controls a gear shift of the automatic transmission based on a gear shift instruction in response to an operation of a gear shift operation device performed by a driver as well as controls the engine based on the target engine torque which is determined based on the accelerator open degree and the vehicle speed so that a change of acceleration by the gear shift becomes larger than that at the time of automatic gear shift control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koki Matsushita, Shin Noumura
  • Publication number: 20130109534
    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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brad Probert, Jeremy L. Russell, Cory B. LaRoche, Philip J. Wiethe
  • Patent number: 8433492
    Abstract: A utility vehicle comprising a cab which houses a steering wheel assembly is provided wherein a steering wheel (22) is rotatably mounted to a support body (24). The support body, or steering console, is mounted on an armrest assembly (40) or control console positioned to one side of a driver's seat (18). By providing an asymmetric mounting arrangement for the steering console, the space underneath is left clear of any supporting structure thus providing improved legroom for the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Shiomi, Shigeyuki Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 8412433
    Abstract: A motion control device for a vehicle includes a vehicle speed obtaining device, a curvature obtaining device for obtaining a bending grade of a curve existing ahead of the vehicle, a position obtaining device for obtaining a relative position between the vehicle and the curve, a determination device for determining an appropriate vehicle speed for the vehicle passing through the curve based on the bending grade, a speed reduction control device for executing a speed reduction control for reducing the vehicle speed based on the vehicle speed and the relative position so that the vehicle passes through the curve at the appropriate vehicle speed, and a gradient obtaining device for obtain a gradient of the road on the curve existing in a traveling direction of the vehicle, wherein the determination device determines the appropriate vehicle speed based on the gradient of the road in addition to the bending grade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignees: Advics Co., Ltd., Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yasui, Keita Nakano, Yosuke Kuki, Takayuki Miyajima, Yoshito Kondo, Atsushi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8406962
    Abstract: A method for determining an operating state of elements of a transmission may include acquiring rotational speeds of both members constituting the elements, determining whether the rotational speeds of the members may be the same, and determining that the elements may be directly connected when the rotational speeds of the members may be the same, and that the elements may be disconnected or slip when the rotational speeds of the members may be different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Youngchul Kim, Sanghyun Jeong, Jangmi Lee, Sanglok Song, Yeonho Kim, Jaeshin Yi, Haksung Lee, Seungki Kong
  • Patent number: 8370032
    Abstract: Systems and methods for shift control for vehicular transmission. A transmission may shift gears at designated transmission shift points. When the slope of the road grade encountered by a vehicle changes, the transmission shift points may be altered to provide better vehicle performance. According to one embodiment, road slope may be calculated based upon vehicle acceleration and acceleration caused by pedal depression. In such an embodiment, brake indication may be calculated from the same road slope calculation without the use of a brake signal switch. If brake application is indicated by the road slope calculation, transmission shifting may be adjusted to prevent poor vehicle performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jordan Choby, Ken Mathis
  • Patent number: 8346444
    Abstract: A shift quality error detection system for an automatic transmission includes a vehicle acceleration determination module to determine a vehicle acceleration. An acceptance window module defines upper and lower limits of a desired vehicle acceleration. The shift quality error detection module compares the determined vehicle acceleration to the upper and lower limits of the desired vehicle acceleration. A shift quality error detection module selectively provides a shift quality error based on the comparison. A method of detecting shift quality error of an automatic transmission comprises determining a vehicle acceleration during a transmission gear shift. The method also includes comparing the vehicle acceleration to an acceptance window of desired vehicle accelerations and outputting an error signal based on the acceleration comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventors: Haytham A. Fayyad, William R. Mayhew
  • Publication number: 20120316032
    Abstract: An engine and an automatic transmission are controlled by any one of automatic gear shift control that controls the engine based on a target engine torque based on a target driving force based on an accelerator open degree and a vehicle speed of a vehicle and controls a gear shift of the automatic transmission based on a gear shift instruction determined based on the target driving force, and manual gear shift control that controls a gear shift of the automatic transmission based on a gear shift instruction in response to an operation of a gear shift operation device performed by a driver as well as controls the engine based on the target engine torque which is determined based on the accelerator open degree and the vehicle speed so that a change of acceleration by the gear shift becomes larger than that at the time of automatic gear shift control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koki Matsushita, Shin Noumura
  • Patent number: 8332116
    Abstract: A reaction force apparatus incorporated in a vehicle includes a reaction force controller for setting an acceleration intention boundary threshold value, which comprises a threshold value with respect to a rate of depression of an accelerator pedal, and which determines whether the driver of the vehicle intends to accelerate the vehicle quickly or gradually. The reaction force controller reduces the reaction force when the rate of depression exceeds the acceleration intention boundary threshold value, whereas the reaction force controller maintains the reaction force when the rate of depression is less than the acceleration intention boundary threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Takiguchi, Yoichi Sugimoto, Go Suzaki
  • Patent number: 8301351
    Abstract: A parameter ?(OUT) having an accelerator pedal position, a vehicle speed and a drive force as components is set according to information representing a driver's operation and information representing running environment of a vehicle. A gear is set according to the parameter ?(OUT) and a map determining the gear based on the accelerator pedal position, the vehicle speed and the drive force. A gear shift line is defined such that a rate of increase of the drive force with respect to the vehicle speed is zero or more. A down-shift line is defined such that the drive force decreases with increase in accelerator pedal position. Down-shift after up-shift as well as the up-shift after the down-shift are inhibited when both a condition that an amount of change of the accelerator pedal position after last gear shift is larger than a threshold and a condition that an amount of change of the drive force after the last gear shift is larger than the threshold are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Masato Kaigawa
  • Patent number: 8296034
    Abstract: To provide a vehicle speed limiting system that is capable of executing a maximum speed limiting control without influencing a driving feeling of a vehicle. A vehicle speed limiting system includes: a three-dimensional map 46a and a throttle valve driving unit 47. A first maximum speed limiter opening degree is calculated by adding a first predetermined opening degree, a second predetermined opening degree, and a current throttle valve opening degree, the first predetermined opening degree being calculated by multiplying a speed difference of the vehicle by a preset P-term coefficient, the second predetermined opening degree being calculated by multiplying an acceleration of the vehicle by a preset D-term coefficient. Once the calculated first maximum speed limiter opening degree falls below the target throttle valve opening degree ?B, the throttle valve motor 30 is driven on a basis of the first maximum speed limiter opening degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Tetsuka, Kenichi Machida, Yukihiro Asada, Masanori Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8277361
    Abstract: A control apparatus of a transmission for a vehicle, which includes an electric generator provided between an engine and the transmission and regenerating electricity when torque is transmitted from a drive shaft of the vehicle via the transmission in a braking condition, includes a releasing speed measuring unit, an up-shifting operation allowing unit and an up-shifting operation restraining unit. The releasing speed measuring unit measures a releasing speed of an accelerator pedal. The up-shifting operation allowing unit is applied to allow an up-shifting operation under the accelerator pedal being released when a releasing speed of the accelerator pedal is lower than a first threshold value. The up-shifting operation restraining unit is applied to restrain the up-shifting operation under the accelerator pedal being released when the releasing speed of the accelerator pedal is equal to or lower than the first threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Hino Motors, Ltd.
    Inventors: Suguru Futamura, Ryutaro Hosoya, Satoru Sibata
  • Patent number: 8277360
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicular power transmitting system including (a) an electrically controlled differential portion which has a differential mechanism and an electric motor operatively connected to a rotary element of the differential mechanism and which is operable to control a differential state between a rotating speed of its input shaft connected to an engine and a rotating speed of its output shaft by controlling an operating state of the electric motor, and (b) a transmission portion which constitutes a part of a power transmitting path and which functions as an automatic transmission portion, the control apparatus including a shifting control portion configured to set a shifting point of the transmission portion, on the basis of a delay of a response of a change of an operating speed of the engine to a change of a required vehicle drive force to be transmitted through the vehicular power transmitting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tooru Matsubara, Atsushi Tabata, Taku Akita
  • Patent number: 8267836
    Abstract: A control system for an automatic transmission includes a downshift control section configured to increase an engaging capacity of an engaging-side engaging element to engage the engaging-side engaging element and decrease a first engaging capacity of a disengaging-side engaging element to disengage the disengaging-side engaging element when a parameter representing a progressing condition of the downshift reaches a value, thereby carrying out the downshift in a power-on condition. Additionally, the downshift control section is configured to decrease the engaging capacity of the disengaging-side engaging element to a second engaging capacity smaller than the first engaging capacity to continue the downshift which is currently progressing and to cause the engine control section to continue controlling the engine speed when a power-off condition is detected upon an accelerator pedal being returned to a position representing an operating amount during the downshift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventor: Masami Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8265839
    Abstract: A method for controlling an automatic gearbox pertaining to a motor vehicle in a braking phase. According to the method, a gear ratio or speed value of the gearbox, requested on the basis of pre-established laws, is determined; and, on the basis of the value and parameters representative of the situation of the vehicle, a corrected gear ratio or speed value of the gearbox, able to trigger an anticipated downshifting of the automatic gearbox, is determined. The corrected gear ratio value of the gearbox is determined on the basis of an estimation of the desired primary speed for the automatic gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Renault s.a.s.
    Inventors: Carine Poisson, Eric Brun
  • Patent number: 8265840
    Abstract: A control device for an automatic transmission is disclosed wherein a shift point depending on a variation in vehicle acceleration is modified on a real time basis in accordance with not only a corrected result on a shift point depending on piece-to-piece variations of automatic transmissions, but also actual acceleration for shortening a time required for learning with high precision with no need to be matched. Shift point real-time modifying means is provided for modifying the altered shift point based on a value of a ratio between a value of actual engine-rotation acceleration at an upshift-determining timing during a power-on running and a value of reference engine-rotation acceleration obtained by substituting a value of actual engine-rotation acceleration to a value for a reference running state having no impact on acceleration of a vehicle, and a target maximum engine rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Watanabe, Masato Kaigawa, Ichiro Kitaori, Masakazu Owatari
  • Patent number: 8246516
    Abstract: A method of operating a drive train of a motor vehicle that has at least an automatic transmission and a drive unit. A starting rotational speed is determined for starting the motor vehicle, and a starting process is initiated with the determined starting rotational speed by engaging a starting element, in particular a starting clutch. The starting rotational speed may be individually set by a driver in such a way that, when the automatic transmission is in the neutral position, the engine speed of the drive unit may be determined by the driver by actuating the accelerator pedal, and that once the automatic transmission is shifted from the neutral position to a either a forward gear or a reverse gear, the engine speed of the drive unit, prevailing during the shift of the automatic transmission, is used as the starting rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Roland Mair
  • Publication number: 20120179340
    Abstract: A method for determination of numbers of gear steps N for a gearbox in a motor vehicle. The vehicle comprises an engine connected to drive, the gearbox. The numbers of gear steps N being the number of downshifts or the number of upshifts which the gearbox respectively effects at an upshift point or a downshift point, wherein a downshift point represents a first engine speed at which the gearbox effects a downshift, an upshift point represents a second engine speed at which the gearbox effects an upshift, and the numbers of gear steps N are determined on the basis of a predicted time period which the engine takes to change from a first engine speed ?1 at a first point in time to a second engine speed ?2 at a second point in time. Also, a system, a motor vehicle, a computer program and a computer program product thereof for the method are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Fredrik Swartling, Anders Kjell, Tom Nyström
  • Publication number: 20120173097
    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. The invention relates also to a system, a motor vehicle, a computer program and a computer program product, which perform the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Fredrik Swartling, Mikael Wågberg
  • Publication number: 20120173098
    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: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Fredrik Swartling, Mikael Wagberg
  • Patent number: 8200403
    Abstract: A method for controlling an input torque provided to a transmission includes executing a first iterative search within a first range of permissible torque values to determine a first torque value based on a first cost value. The first cost value is based on a first set of powertrain measurements measured at a first time. A second cost value based on a second torque value and the first set of powertrain measurements measured at the first time is calculated. The second torque value is determined using a second set of powertrain measurements measured at a second time prior to the first time. One of the first torque value and the second torque value is then selected based on the first cost value and the second cost value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Wilfried Brunssen, Bin Wu, Brian R Medema
  • Patent number: 8180535
    Abstract: The inventive method for controlling the gear change of an automatic gearbox provided with distinct shifting rules or variograms used according to a vehicle operating conditions consists in detecting and carrying out gear shifting requests sequential to the shifting rule or variogram switching, subject to the application of specific conditions only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Christian Taffin, Carine Poisson
  • Patent number: 8133154
    Abstract: A control system for determining a desired gear ratio of an automatic transmission includes a pedal rate module that determines a pedal rate of an accelerator pedal, and a shift module that determines the desired gear ratio of the transmission based on a position of the accelerator pedal and the pedal rate. The shift module determines the desired gear ratio based on a comparison of the pedal rate and a predetermined rate. The predetermined rate is based on a first period since the transmission shifted into a current gear. The shift module also determines the desired gear ratio based on one of a second period the pedal rate remains less than a positive rate and a third period the pedal rate remains greater than a negative rate. A related control method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventors: Xuefeng Tim Tao, David Chris Webert, John E. Marano, Scott R. Verna
  • Patent number: 8112205
    Abstract: A motor vehicle power train control device capable of furnishing set signals of torque applied to wheels of the motor vehicle. The control device includes a mechanism to generate a signal representing a limitation of variation in speed of a heat engine integrated in a power train capable of reducing variations that are disturbing with regard to acoustics of the power train, and includes a mechanism to determine an operating point of the power train in an optimal operating range according to the signal that represents limitation of speed. The mechanism for generating the signal that represents a limitation of variation in the speed of the heat engine integrated in the power train is furnished, at an input, by parameters that represent characteristics of the motor vehicle and by parameters that represent the driver's wishes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Frederic Roudeau, Jean Bretheau, Vincent Vermuse
  • Patent number: 8052573
    Abstract: A vehicle shift control apparatus is basically provided with an engine, a drive wheel, a transmission and a controller. The transmission is operatively disposed between the engine and the drive wheel for shifting gears by executing a clutch switch operation so as to change a drive transmission path of the transmission. The controller is operatively to the transmission to control a gear shifting of the transmission. The controller includes an engine speed suppressing section that is configured to execute an engine speed suppression control when a driver performs an accelerator operation during the clutch switch operation associated with downshifting while coasting. The engine speed suppression control is further configured to reduce a torque capacity decrease rate of a clutch being released in comparison with a torque capacity decrease rate that would occur if shifting was taking place during normal coasting in which the accelerator operation is not performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoaki Honma
  • Patent number: 8046144
    Abstract: The present disclosure utilizes Non-linear Proportional and Derivative (NLPD) control on a duty cycle of an applying clutch for stationary and rolling vehicle garage shifts. The applying clutch can be engaged by as electrically activated solenoid valve, and the present disclosure utilizes NLPD control to adjust the duty cycle of the solenoid to provide a smooth vehicle garage shift engagement. The present disclosure utilizes a control algorithm based on turbine speed, turbine acceleration, and output speed. The present disclosure can utilize an existing vehicle control unit, such as an engine control unit (ECU), transmission control unit (TCU), or the like, to receive turbine speed measurements, to calculate the solenoid duty cycle using NLPD control on the turbine speed acceleration error, and to adjust the solenoid driver on the solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Gary Lowe, Libo Fan
  • Patent number: 8014925
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an automatic transmission includes an operational condition detecting unit for detecting a vehicle operational condition, a slope detecting unit for detecting a road surface slope, and a shift characteristic selecting unit for selecting one of a plurality of shift maps preliminarily set according to the road surface slope. The control apparatus further includes an acceleration/deceleration calculating unit for calculating an acceleration or deceleration from the degree of increase or decrease in vehicle speed per unit time, a deceleration shift characteristic for deciding a gear position according to the deceleration and the vehicle speed, and a brake detecting unit for detecting a brake operation. When the road surface slope is determined to be a downhill slope and the brake operation is detected, the selected shift map is changed to the deceleration shift characteristic and the gear position is decided according to the deceleration shift characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Saitou, Ryuji Murata
  • Publication number: 20110183809
    Abstract: A transmission shift control system includes a transmission shift control module that executes an upshift or a closed-throttle downshift, a shift stage determination module, and a clutch control module. The stage determination module determines a stage of the upshift or the closed throttle downshift when a downshift is requested. The clutch control module determines a downshift type based on the stage of the upshift or the closed throttle downshift and selectively executes a downshift before the upshift or the closed throttle downshift is completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Shashikanth Rangaraju, Robert L. Williams, Matthew D. Whitton
  • Publication number: 20110183810
    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: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACUTRING NORTH AMERICA
    Inventor: Jordan Choby
  • 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: 7841962
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for control of a transmission are described, including provision of a shift initiation signal to the transmission when the engine speed attains an initiation point engine speed, the initiation point engine speed being adjustable as a function of a rate of change of engine speed so as to reduce engine speed variability at shift endpoints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Dante T Boutell
  • Patent number: 7819776
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an automatic transmission including a gear-type transmission mechanism connected to an output shaft of a motive power source, the gear-type transmission including plural frictional engagement elements. The control apparatus senses a power-on downshift in which the frictional engagement elements are engaged during a downshift in a driving state of the motive power source, controls the motive power source so that in the power-on downshift an output of the motive power source is reduced, counts a time during which an input rotational speed of the transmission mechanism approximates an after-shift synchronous rotational speed, and controls the motive power source so that, if the time exceeds a predetermined time while the output of the motive power source is reduced, recovery from the reduction of the output of the motive power source is attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroomi Toi, Koji Hattori, Ayuma Sagawa, Koji Oshima, Hiromichi Kimura
  • Publication number: 20100235061
    Abstract: A driving power source rotational speed control device is provided in a vehicle outputs power of a rotary driving power source via a continuously variable transmission as motive power, that changes the rotational speed of the rotary driving power source in association with changes in the vehicle speed when acceleration is requested. The control device includes: acceleration/deceleration state determination means determines whether the vehicle is accelerating or decelerating when acceleration is requested; and rotary driving power source rotational speed change setting means sets the change gradient of the rotary driving power source rotational speed to establish the association of the rotary driving power source rotational speed with changes in the vehicle speed when acceleration is requested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroya Fujiwara, Akira Hino
  • Publication number: 20100137103
    Abstract: An electronic control unit is provided with two types of gear change maps: a first gear change map based on the vehicle speed and the accelerator pedal operation amount; and a second gear change map based on the vehicle speed and the required drive force of the vehicle. The electronic control unit determines whether the automatic transmission should downshift with reference to the first gear change map, and determines whether the automatic transmission should upshift with reference to the second gear change map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Hideaki Otsubo, Masato Kaigawa, Masayuki Baba
  • Publication number: 20100113220
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an automotive drive train comprising at least one automatic transmission and one drive unit. According to said method, a starting speed is determined during starting of the motor vehicle, a starting process being triggered using the determined starting speed by closing a starting element, especially a starting clutch. According to the invention, the starting speed can be individually adjusted by a driver in such a manner that when the automatic transmission is in the selector position neutral, the engine speed of the drive unit can be determined by the driver by actuating the gas pedal and that once the automatic transmission is transferred from neutral to a selector position corresponding to forward gear or reverse gear the engine speed of the drive unit prevailing during the transfer is used as the starting speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Roland Mair
  • Patent number: 7698048
    Abstract: A control system for an engine of a vehicle includes a requested torque module that determines a first requested torque based on an accelerator pedal position and a current engine torque output capacity. An accelerator effective position module determines an accelerator effective position based on a requested driver axle torque request signal. A power enrichment (PE) module enables a PE mode to provide a richer than stoichiometric fuel equivalence ratio based on the first requested torque and the accelerator effective position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventors: Jaehak Jung, Louis A. Avallone, Christopher E. Whitney, Leonard G. Wozniak, Klaus Pochner, Jeffrey M. Kaiser
  • Publication number: 20100081543
    Abstract: A pressure (p—3) setting system (200) with a pressure control valve (1), comprising a valve gate (10) arranged to be displace in a valve bore (12). The valve bore has at least one pressure chamber (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), in which the valve gate may be axially exposed to a pressure. A first pressure chamber (21) is connected to at least one acceleration-dependent compensation member (203) for full or partial compensation of any pressure (p—3) setting disturbances caused by mass forces (F_a1, F_a2) resulting from the acceleration (a) of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Thilo SCHMIDT, Christian POPP
  • Publication number: 20100004094
    Abstract: A controller (30) of an automatic transmission (13) can be set to be in a first control mode and a second control mode for controlling a transmission gear ratio (SR) of the automatic transmission (13). The controller (30) in the second control mode automatically changes the transmission gear ratio (SR). The controller (30) obtains an index value and upper limit speed (Lim) of rotation speed (Nout) of a transmission output shaft. The controller (30) in the first control mode allows the transmission gear ratio (SR) to be changed when an operation member (22) is operated to increase the transmission gear ratio (SR) and the index value is equal to or lower than the upper limit speed (Lim). The controller (30) has a setting section (S13) that sets the upper limit speed (Lim). The setting section (S13) sets the upper limit speed (Lim) based on vehicle acceleration (AR) when the controller (30) is in the first control mode and the operation member (22) is operated to increase the transmission gear ratio (SR).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Shiiba, Seiji Kuwahara, Nobufusa Kobayashi, Ichiro Kitaori, Toshihiro Fukumasu, Atsushi Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 7621844
    Abstract: A shift control device is provided for a vehicle transmission having first and second clutches arranged to be selectively engaged when one of gear ranges in first and second gear groups, respectively, is selected. The shift control device includes a rotational speed detecting section, a deceleration detecting section, a rotational speed estimating section, a gear determining section and a pre-shifting section. The rotational speed estimating section is configured to determine an estimated rotational speed of a drive source after downshifting based on a current rotational speed and a deceleration rate. The pre-shifting section is configured to control the vehicle transmission to achieve a waiting state before switching engagement states of the first and second clutches to obtain a next gear range when the next gear range is on a downshift side of a current gear range and the estimated rotational speed is lower than a first prescribed rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Kishi
  • Patent number: 7603221
    Abstract: An automatic slowing down system for a vehicle taking a bend includes a computer that integrates a series of instructions to process at least one of first, second and third signals according to kinematic control laws of vehicle displacement to deliver signals for a forward motion actuator and a steering actuator, a forward control and a steering control that supply the first signal representative of a forward motion data and a steering data to the computer based on an operator's requirement, a linear speed sensor and a yaw speed sensor that supply the second signal to the computer, and a unit that supplies the third signal relating to road grip to the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Nexter Systems
    Inventors: Emile Urvoy, Olivier Pape, Stephane Leveque
  • Patent number: 7597651
    Abstract: A control system for an electromagnetic brake, including an electromagnetic brake actuator coil surrounding a power input shaft for a multiple-ratio transmission in a vehicle powertrain. An electromagnetic flux flow path for the actuator coil is electromagnetically isolated from the power input shaft and other elements of the powertrain thereby avoiding residual magnetization. A thermally responsive circuit protector is provided in the coil circuit that senses the temperature of the stator coil to avoid overheating of the stator coil. An overcurrent protector is provided for opening the stator coil circuit when current in the stator coil exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Hornbrook
  • Publication number: 20090233760
    Abstract: In a vehicle that includes an engine driveably connected to the vehicle wheels, an accelerator pedal, and an electric motor for transmitting power to at least some of the vehicle wheels, a method for indicating that the vehicle is operating on a grade having positive slope includes determining that displacement of the accelerator pedal is greater than a reference displacement, determining that a rate of change of the accelerator pedal displacement is greater than a reference rate of change of displacement, determining that vehicle deceleration is greater than a reference vehicle deceleration, and producing a signal representing that the vehicle is operating on a grade having positive slope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Andrew J. Silveri, Ihab S. Soliman
  • Patent number: 7578767
    Abstract: An automatic transmission control device for a vehicle includes a gear change operation that is performed based on a throttle opening, a vehicle speed and an engine rotational speed. The automatic transmission control device also obtains a displacement of the throttle opening, determines whether the displacement falls within a predetermined range, and restricts a shift-up when the displacement exceeds the predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naotada Matsudaira, Soya Uchida, Go Morita
  • Patent number: 7544150
    Abstract: A method of regulating gear shifts of a transmission driven by an engine includes calculating a first torque error and calculating a second torque error. A compensation torque is determined based on the first torque error and the second torque error. The gear shifts are regulated based on the compensation torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Trush, David W. Wright, Craig M. Fazakerly, John E. Marano
  • Publication number: 20090143195
    Abstract: A rapid acceleration control apparatus has a rapid acceleration prime mover rotational speed control section and a rapid acceleration start clutch capacity control section. The rapid acceleration prime mover rotational speed control section executes a rapid acceleration start prime mover rotational speed control that control a rotational speed of the prime mover to a target rotational speed required to achieve the rapid acceleration start when a rapid acceleration start condition exists in which both an accelerator and a brake are simultaneously operated while the vehicle is stopped. The rapid acceleration start clutch capacity control section executes a rapid acceleration start clutch capacity control that decreases a connection capacity of the clutch during the rapid acceleration start prime mover rotational speed control executed by the rapid acceleration prime mover rotational speed control section to suppress heating of the clutch due to the rapid acceleration start primer mover rotational speed control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shusaku KATAKURA, Kazuhiro TANIAI, Masami MURAYAMA, Yoshinobu KAWAMOTO, Youhei MIZUTA
  • Publication number: 20090118096
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for control of a transmission are described, including provision of a shift initiation signal to the transmission when the engine speed attains an initiation point engine speed, the initiation point engine speed being adjustable as a function of a rate of change of engine speed so as to reduce engine speed variability at shift endpoints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Dante T Boutell
  • Patent number: RE43857
    Abstract: An automatic shift control is executed in an automatic transmission with 5 shift speeds of range hold type in the highest gear stage of a shift range at the manual shift mode. Upon selection of a shift mode from the automatic shift mode to the manual shift mode, the shift range at the manual shift mode is selected in accordance with the vehicle speed detected at the automatic shift mode. If the vehicle speed is in the low-speed range, the shift range 3 is selected. If the vehicle speed is in the medium-speed range, the shift range 4 is selected. If the vehicle speed is in the high-speed range, the shift range 5 is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Matsunaga, Yoshiharu Harada