Electric Control Patents (Class 477/138)
  • Patent number: 10711884
    Abstract: A control method of a continuously variable transmission includes supplying oil pressure to a secondary pulley oil chamber by a source pressure oil pump, and controlling a flow of oil into and from a primary pulley oil chamber by an electric oil pump arranged in an oil passage between the primary pulley oil chamber and the secondary pulley oil chamber. After start-up of the source pressure oil pump, an operation of the electric oil pump is restricted until the oil is filled in the oil passage on the secondary pulley oil chamber side of the electric oil pump. The operation of the electric oil pump is permitted when rotation speed of the electric oil pump reaches a predetermined rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryohey Toyota, Tomoyuki Nakano, Hiromu Terai, Akira Takano, Kouhei Toyohara
  • Patent number: 10697540
    Abstract: A vehicle control device for controlling a vehicle including a variator provided in a power transmission path between a driving source and a driving wheel of a vehicle and a friction engaging element provided between the variator and the driving wheel, engaged when a running range is selected, while disengaged when a non-running range is selected and shutting off transmission of power through the power transmission path is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Kawamoto, Seiichirou Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10311749
    Abstract: A system for determining a safety score comprising an input interface and a processor. An input interface configured to receive compliance events from a database of compliance events and to receive detected driving events from a database of detected driving events. A processor configured to filter the compliance events and the detected driving events to generate a filtered list and to determine a safety score based at least in part on the filtered list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Lytx, Inc.
    Inventors: Niki Kypri, Bryon Cook, Joshua Donald Botnen
  • Patent number: 10221938
    Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to an apparatus for managing fluid flow in a vehicle, that includes an epicyclic gear set having first, and second inputs configured to receive rotational drive input from a torque output feature of a powertrain and a rotary actuator respectively. A pump driver is provided for driving a fluid pump, the pump driver being configured to receive rotational drive input from an output of the epicyclic gear set. A controller is configured to determine information corresponding to the rotational speed of the torque output feature using information generated by a rotational speed sensor and based on this control the rotary actuator, such that the pump driver is caused to rotate at substantially a pre-specified speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: QINETIQ LIMITED
    Inventor: Robert John Bonner Flaxman
  • Patent number: 10167907
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle drive apparatus, including a prime-mover-output-shaft, a transmission-input-shaft and a motor-rotor provided therebetween, each rotatable around an axis-line, a first-clutch arranged radially inward of the rotor to connect/disconnect the output-shaft and the motor, a second clutch arranged radially inward of the rotor axially in tandem with the first-clutch to connect/disconnect the motor and the input-shaft, and a cover-member having a radially extending first, second-sidewall-members and a substantially cylindrical connection-member connecting the first, second-sidewall-members, integrally rotatable with the motor, forming a clutch-chamber enclosing the first, second-clutches by means of the first, second-sidewall-members and the connection-member, and formed with an oil-discharge-port connecting the clutch-chamber and a drain-oil-chamber sideward of the clutch-chamber, wherein the cover-member has first, second-cover-members axially disassemblable at the connection-member and each having a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Satoyoshi, Kohei Iizuka
  • Patent number: 9099948
    Abstract: An electrical machine has been developed that opportunistically regulates the voltage supplied to the coil of the electrical machine. The electrical machine includes a stator winding, a rotatable electromagnet, and a voltage regulator. The voltage regulator is configured to control an output voltage of the electrical machine. The regulator is configured to vary the magnitude of the output voltage based at least in part on acceleration of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Remy Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Clark, David Leonel Villarreal
  • Patent number: 8246513
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling transmission functions in a transmission of a motor vehicle by an electromagnetically actuated control valve. The control valve is controlled by a control device that includes a stored valve characteristic curve to provide a temperature-dependent and a target-current-dependent overlay, so that a symmetrical target value oscillation around a target current value is achieved. The characteristic curve for controlling the control valve is adapted at least partially as a function of a current value and a temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Mario Schaufler
  • Patent number: 8145399
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for providing an electronic gear shift selector associated with an automatic mechanical transmission for a heavy vehicle. The gear shift selector includes a toggle switch for asserting at least one gear shift request, a counter receiving the at least one gear shift request, and a time delay for preventing communication of the at least one gear shift request from the counter until a predefined time period has passed. A method for communicating a collective gear shift request to a gear box includes asserting one or more gear shift requests with a gear shift selector, communicating the gear shift requests to a counter, determining the collective gear shift requests occurring within a predefined time period, communicating the gear shift requests occurring within the predefined time period to a gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Anders Lindgren, Anders Eriksson
  • Patent number: 8088040
    Abstract: A process for actuating a transmission mechanism having hydraulic shifting elements for changing gear ratios by using electric actuators to adjust the actuating pressures of the shifting elements. Upon a request from an engine start/stop function for shutdown of an engine, the flow of electrical current to the actuators is changed from an operating level to a standby level depending upon the operating pressure of the shifting elements. Upon the request for startup of the engine, the flow or electrical current is changed from the standby level to the operating level. A system pressure in the hydraulic system is zero when the engine is shutdown, and the power consumption in the transmission mechanism is lower at the standby level than the operating level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Schiele, Klaus Steinhauser
  • Patent number: 7815545
    Abstract: An automatic transmission hydraulic control apparatus includes an oil pump driven by an engine, a forward clutch arranged to be engaged by an engagement pressure from the oil pump at a start of the vehicle, a hydraulic pressure sensing section configured to sense a hydraulic pressure in the automatic transmission, a filling start judging section configured to judge a start of filling to the forward clutch in accordance with the sensed hydraulic pressure; and an engagement pressure control section configured to control the engagement pressure to go through a filling phase and an engagement phase. The engagement pressure control section shifts from the filling phase to the engagement phase when a predetermined time elapses from the judgment of the start of the filling to the forward clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Kenji Nakashima, Masaaki Uchida, Yoshinobu Kawamoto
  • Publication number: 20100151993
    Abstract: A vehicle drive device includes a case with a case main body portion accommodating the speed change mechanism, and a connection case portion connecting the engine and the case main body portion and having a diameter increased toward the engine; a hydraulic pressure control device that is provided under the speed change mechanism, and controls a hydraulic pressure to be supplied to the speed change mechanism; and an electric pump that generates the hydraulic pressure to be supplied to the speed change mechanism through the hydraulic pressure control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobukazu Ike, Yasunari Muranaka, Takeshi Fukuma, Shinichiro Iga, Shingo Uozumi
  • Publication number: 20100105522
    Abstract: A control for a multi-speed automatic vehicle transmission is provided. Electrical and hydraulic components are provided, including pressure control or “trim” valve systems in fluid communication with shift valves and electrohydraulic actuators to selectively engage and disengage the transmission clutches or other shift mechanisms. Pressure switches are provided for the trim valves and shift valves. The fluid connections between the trim valve systems and the shift valve systems are configured to reduce the total number of valves and fluid passages required and to reduce the size of at least one of the valves. Clutch blocking features are provided. Power off limp home and reduced engine load at stop features are provided in all forward ranges, and control of double transition shifts is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventor: Bryan Hagelskamp
  • Publication number: 20090111653
    Abstract: A clutch control apparatus for a vehicle provided with a hydraulic clutch in the middle of a power transmission path between an engine and a drive wheel. Before the clutch of the vehicle is brought into an engagement state, intermittent hydraulic pressure Y is applied to the clutch while maintaining the clutch in a disengagement state, and thereafter a predetermined hydraulic pressure is applied to the clutch to bring it into the engagement state. A solenoid valve is provided to control hydraulic pressure supplied to the clutch. Before the clutch is brought into the engagement state, a pulsed drive current D is supplied to the solenoid valve. The clutch control apparatus so configured suppresses a motion delay at the time of engaging the clutch, thereby allowing a quick and smooth start and shifting of the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Kazuyuki FUKAYA, Takashi Ozeki, Yoshiaki Tsukada, Hiroyuki Kojima, Yoshiaki Nedachi
  • Patent number: 6945908
    Abstract: An automatic transmission that includes a housing, gear transmission unit, transmission throttle valve, and an electromagnetic actuator for the transmission throttle valve. The transmission housing has a support portion formed on an outside surface of the housing, and a coupling portion is provided proximate the support portion. The gear transmission unit is disposed in the housing and has at least one hydraulic actuator controllable to provide a plurality of output speeds from the gear transmission unit. The transmission throttle valve is operable to regulate the hydraulic pressure provided to the hydraulic actuators. The transmission throttle valve includes a transmission throttle valve shaft proximate the coupling portion. The electromagnetic actuator is coupled to the support portion of the housing. The electromagnetic actuator is coupled to the transmission throttle valve shaft to regulate the hydraulic pressure of the transmission throttle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Juergen Luft, Andre Veinotte, Gary Michael Everingham
  • Patent number: 6805655
    Abstract: Many vehicles designed for running on rough terrain include an automatic transmission for performing speed change by connecting or disconnecting an oil hydraulic clutch provided alongside each speed change gear. However, depending on the posture of the driver, it may be impossible to step on the brake. As a result, it may be impossible to achieve creep prevention with a creep preventive mechanism dependent on a brake signal. Therefore, a creep preventive mechanism which operates independently from a brake signal is required. The present invention provides an oil pressure control system operating independently from a brake signal. The system includes an oil pressure supply source with a linear solenoid valve for supplying working oil or interrupting the supply of the working oil to the oil hydraulic clutches. The supply of the working oil to the clutches is interrupted when the vehicle is stopped under an idling condition of an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Hori, Yoshihiro Yoshida, Seiji Hamaoka
  • Patent number: 6514175
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system including: a rotating speed raising unit for raising the rotating speed of the prime mover while the transmission is not rotated by the prime mover, to increase an output volume of the hydraulic pump; at oil pressure instructor for outputting a plurality of instruction signals of different pressure instruction values to the valve modulating mechanism while the output volume of the hydraulic pump is increased; an oil pressure detector for detecting the oil pressure to be modulated and fed to the transmission, at a plurality of pressure levels; and a learning corrector for learning and correcting the instruction signals on the basis of the outputted pressure instruction value and the detected oil pressure detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroji Taniguchi, Katsumi Kono, Kenji Matsuo, Hideki Yasue, Tadashi Tamura, Ryoji Habuchi, Yuji Hattori, Hiroshi Morioka, Hiroki Kondo
  • Patent number: 6511401
    Abstract: A shift control method for an automatic transmission improves shift feel and acceleration characteristics by determining if 4→3 shifting is required during lift-foot-up 3→4 shift control, and if so, the method controls a number of solenoid valves and friction elements with input from a plurality of sensors that stop the lift-foot-up 3→4 shift when the accelerator pedal is again depressed after being released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company & Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Sang-Chul Lee
  • Patent number: 6475113
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system includes switching mechanisms for receiving as a signal pressure a hydraulic pressure which is output from each shifting mechanism when all units of the shifting mechanisms are caused to output a hydraulic pressure, and being responsive to the reception of the signal pressure to be switched to a predetermined state for blocking a hydraulic-pressure supply path to specific hydraulic servos, thereby achieving a specific speed out of a plurality of speeds; and supply switching mechanisms provided in a hydraulic-pressure supply path to a hydraulic servo which is not included in the specific hydraulic servos, for switching between supply and cut-off of the hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic servo so as to assure two speeds in the event of the signal failure in a hydraulic control system for individually controlling engaging elements in an automatic transmission by using electric signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akitomo Suzuki, Kazumasa Tsukamoto, Masaaki Nishida, Takayuki Hisano
  • Patent number: 6361472
    Abstract: In gear-shift control performed during normal travelling, a drive frequency of each solenoid valve is set to a higher one to suppress fluctuations or changes of a quantity or speed of a flow of a hydraulic oil concerned when the solenoid current is turned on/off to suppress fluctuations of the output hydraulic pressure. In start selection, the drive frequency of the solenoid valve is set to a lower one to reduce the number of times a plunger and a ball hit each other within the solenoid valve to reduce a sound produced by the operation of the solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Jatco Transtechnology Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Murasugi
  • Patent number: 6343520
    Abstract: An automatic transmission comprises a forward/reverse selection hydraulic servomechanism 70 which actuates a dog clutch and a plurality of clutches 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15. For this automatic transmission, a control system comprises first˜fifth on/off solenoid valves 81˜85 and first˜third linear solenoid valves 86˜88. These valves are used to control the supply and drain of a line pressure to and from the forward/reverse selection hydraulic servomechanism 70 and first˜fifth shift valves 60, 62, 64, 66 and 68 so as to control the actuation thereof for the selective engagement of the clutches. This system, when it detects, by a hydraulic switch 93, a condition that the D range is selected and that the actuation command signals being sent to the solenoid valves correspond to one of the signal combinations which are used for setting the driving modes of the D range, allows the actuation of the solenoid valves by these actuation command signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Ohashi, Shoji Asatsuke, Hideki Wakamatsu, Takayuki Yamaguchi, Yoshiharu Saito
  • Patent number: 6258010
    Abstract: A hydraulic control for an automatic shifting transmission has a plurality of shift logic valves, a high ratio control valve, a low ratio control valve and respective pressure control valves for controlling the bias pressure on the ratio control valves. The shift logic valves control the distribution of fluid to a plurality of torque transmitting mechanisms from the proper ratio control valve. During an upshift sequence, the high ratio control valves establishes the engagement pressure in the oncoming torque transmitting mechanism and the low ratio control valve establishes the engagement pressure in the offgoing torque transmitting mechanism. The pressure from the high ratio control valve is also delivered to a control port on the low ratio control valve to force the exhausting of the offgoing torque transmitting mechanism when the oncoming torque transmitting mechanism reaches its critical torque capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Shushan Bai, Robert Lowell Moses
  • Patent number: 6032095
    Abstract: An apparatus and method control an automatic transmission of an automobile. When a feedback control is executed by the automatic transmission while the speed is being changed, the control operation may often lose stability due to a large deviation between a target value and a practical value at the start of the feedback control operation being caused by a change in the opening degree of the throttle and a change in the oil temperature in the automatic transmission. To solve such a technical problem, the control apparatus which detects that the automatic transmission is changing the speed, operates the output shaft torque of the automatic transmission, recognizes a point of inflection of the output shaft torque while the speed is being changed, sets a target output shaft torque of the automatic transmission, and sets an initial target value at a moment of the point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Ochi, Toshimichi Minowa, Hiroshi Ohnishi
  • Patent number: 6022139
    Abstract: In the oil temperature detecting method, an oil temperature sensor detects the temperature of oil in an automatic transmission. A controller receives the detected temperature and signals indicating a first and second potential. The first potential represents the ground potential of the automatic transmission, and the second potential represents the ground potential of a body of the vehicle. Based on the first and second potentials and the sensed oil temperature, the controller controls an operation of the automatic transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sunghong Kil
  • Patent number: 5984833
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hydraulic control system for an automatic transmission including a plurality of friction elements associated with respective transmission speeds. The hydraulic control system includes a hydraulic fluid source, a line pressure controller, a reducing pressure controller, a range controller, a shift controller, a hydraulic pressure controller, and a hydraulic pressure distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jae-Duk Jang
  • Patent number: 5919244
    Abstract: The invention concerns a control system for shifting gears in an automatic shift transmission (3) by using fuzzy logic methods. Vehicle parameters form input variables (8) that are continuously detected by appropriate means (9). These input variables are further processed in downstream functional blocks (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17). Gearshifting points that ensure an economical driving are determined in the functional block (11) according to fuzzy logic methods. Besides a set of basic fuzzy logic generating rules, additional rules are used to improve driving. For that purpose, the input quantity "desired performance" is taken into consideration in both sets of rules. The desired performance may be a desired acceleration or a desired deceleration. A closed regulation circuit is formed by converting the fictitious quantity desired performance and the quantity driving manner to a physical quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Danz, Udo Gillich, Gerhard Eschrich, Wolfgang Runge
  • Patent number: 5816977
    Abstract: An oil pressure control system for an automatic transmission for controlling the oil pressure of a frictional engagement element by a regulator valve for outputting an oil pressure according to a signal pressure inputted. The oil pressure control system comprises: a first solenoid valve for outputting a signal pressure varying with an electric signal; and a second solenoid valve having a coil of a higher resistance than that of the first solenoid valve and for applying, when activated, a signal pressure in the same direction as the signal pressure of the first solenoid valve to the regulator valve. As a result, it is possible to accurately control the oil pressure at the transient time of a speed change of the frictional engagement element of the automatic transmission and to prevent the controlling solenoid valves from being damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Yasue, Hiromichi Kimura
  • Patent number: 5785629
    Abstract: The proposal is for a process for controlling an automatic transmission in which, on the basis of a speed-change demand, an electronic control device determines a mode of changing (F1, F2, F3), compares an existing operation point with a theoretical operation point in which the theoretical operation point depends upon the mode of changing and selects a first or second change range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Georg Gierer, Wolfgang Wiest
  • Patent number: 5762580
    Abstract: A rotary switch, used to select the operating range of an automatic transmission, controls solenoid-operated valves corresponding to the selected range to open and close a connection between a range valve assembly and a control pressure source. A forward range selection electric circuit includes a forward range high side driver, a solenoid-operated control valve, the rotary switch, a power source, and a current monitor. There is a similar circuit for the reverse range. A forward range valve and reverse range valve respond to control pressure produced by the circuit to open a fluid pressure source to a line that is pressurized to produce forward drive, a second position opens a connection between the fluid pressure source and a line that is pressurized to produce reverse drive and vents those lines to sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Gerard Walega, Robert Clayton Roethler, John Arthur Daubenmier, Eldon L. Goates
  • Patent number: 5560248
    Abstract: This assisted selection system comprises an electrohydraulic actuator (12) which controls the input element of the gearbox and may itself be controlled by parameters provided by the engine control computer. The actuator (12) comprises a group of solenoid valves (34, 35, 37, 52, 53) connected to cylinders (15, 16, 41, 42) controlling a fork selecting shaft (13). The cylinders (15, 16) may cause the rotation of the shaft (13) by means of a rocker (14) for selecting the fork corresponding to the chosen ratio, and cause the shaft (13) to move in translation so as to engage the chosen ratio by displacement of the selected fork. This automatic selecting system, which is also applicable to gearboxes of the barrel type, permits, when coupled with the engine control computer, the driver to avoid effecting the declutching and clutching operations, while enabling him to fully master his selection of the speed, if he desires, with no loss due to slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: S.A.M.M. Societe D'Applications Des Machines Motrices
    Inventors: Gerard Devaud, Serge Grand
  • Patent number: 5523944
    Abstract: An electronically controlled arrangement for changing the transmission ratio of a speed-change gearbox of a drive assembly of a motor vehicle, in which a change with the effect of changing-up is prevented by an inhibiting signal formed as a function of parameters of the control of the drive assembly or of the driving state. The change is re-authorized when the accelerator pedal again reaches a significant position determined by a change in level of the inhibiting signal and when a delay time determined by the actuation of the accelerator pedal has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventor: Torsten Kroger
  • Patent number: 5521818
    Abstract: A diagnostic strategy for an automatic transmission having electronic shift control solenoids for controlling application and release of clutches and brakes during the establishment and disestablishment of torque ratios in multiple-ratio gearing for the transmission wherein provision is made for developing diagnostic data that detects failure modes due to a faulty shift solenoid by using predetermined failure modes stored in the RAM portion of a microprocessor and comparing those known failure modes to the actual performance of the shift solenoids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Bruce J. Palansky, Pamela J. Eggers, Richard R. Hathaway, Earl R. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 5507706
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system of the present invention is provided for improving a responsiveness to a speed change by compleating the speed chang with a torque pressure control hydraulic pressure after initiating the speed change with the drive hydraulic pressure. The hydraulic control system includes an oil pump for generating hydraulic pressure, a pressure regulating valve for regulating the hydraulic pressure to be proper pressure for reverse and drive, five friction elements which receive the hydraulic pressure for drive in accordance with operation of a manual valve, two friction elements which receive the hydraulic pressure for reverse in accordance with operation of the manual valve, first and second shift control parts having at least two shift valves, respectively, to supply the hydraulic pressure to the friction elements, and a torque control hydraulic pressure regulating part for supplying a torque control hydraulic pressure to the first and second shift control parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jaeduk Jang, Kibeen Lim
  • Patent number: 5507197
    Abstract: This assisted selection system comprises an electrohydraulic actuator (12) which controls the input element of the gearbox and may itself be controlled by parameters provided by the engine control computer. The actuator (12) comprises a group of solenoid valves (34, 35, 37, 52, 53) connected to cylinders (15, 16, 41, 42) controlling a fork selecting shaft (13). The cylinders (15, 16) may cause the rotation of the shaft (13) by means of a rocker (14) for selecting the fork corresponding to the chosen ratio, and cause the shaft (13) to move in translation so as to engage the chosen ratio by displacement of the selected fork. This automatic selecting system, which is also applicable to gearboxes of the barrel type, permits, when coupled with the engine control computer, the driver to avoid effecting the declutching and clutching operations, while enabling him to fully master his selection of the speed, if he desires, with no loss due to slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: S.A.M.M. Societe d'Applications des Machines Motrices
    Inventors: Gerard Devaud, Serge Grand
  • Patent number: 5501645
    Abstract: A vehicular automatic transmission and control system therefor includes an automatic transmission including a planetary gear unit and a plurality of friction elements for connecting the components of the planetary gear unit selectively to rotary members or stationary members; a hydraulic control unit for selectively switching and controlling oil pressures to be fed to the friction elements; and an electronic control unit for outputting a signal indicating the running state of a vehicle to control the feed of the oil pressures to the friction elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Taniguchi, Kazumasa Tsukamoto, Masahiro Hayabuchi, Masahiko Ando
  • Patent number: 5460582
    Abstract: An automatic transmission having multiple-ratio gearing, fluid pressure-operated clutches and brakes adapted to establish and to disestablish multiple torque ratios and electronic shift control solenoids that can be energized and de-energized under the control of an electronic microprocessor that senses transmission operating variables, and a control strategy inherent in the microprocessor that uses predetermined failure modes to perform functional testing on the shift solenoids without special hydraulic and electronic hardware for developing the diagnostic information that detects shift solenoid failures or malfunctions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Bruce J. Palansky, Pamela J. Eggers, Richard R. Hathaway, Earl R. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 5415603
    Abstract: A transmission in the hybrid vehicle taking the internal-combustion engine and the electric motor together. In the engine cruising mode, the clutch control valve 62 is adapted to feed the pressure oil in the hydraulic path A to the hydraulic servo C-1 and also feed the oil in the hydraulic path B to the torque converter 4. While, in the electric motor cruising mode, the inputclutch device 5 is disengaged and no oil is supplied to the converter 4 so that the oil drawn up from the oil sump 67 is almost fed to the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Kabushikikaisha Equos Research
    Inventors: Shigeo Tuzuki, Miyoshi Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 5416700
    Abstract: A control system and method for a semi-automatic mechanical transmission system (10) is provided for allowing operator request for a scrolling display of allowable ratios in either the upshift or downshift direction, and for a direct shift into the selected one of the displayed ratios. In one embodiment, retaining the control (1) lever in a displaced position for one or two seconds will initiate the scrolling display, while retaining the transmission engaged in the initial ratio, and subsequently release of the control lever to its centered position will cause a direct shift into the then displayed ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Ian R. J. Bates, John E. Stainton, Robert S. Wheeler, Keith Wright
  • Patent number: 5409434
    Abstract: A control system for a shift-by-wire automatic transmission, comprises: a first range changing valve for having an input port switched to communicate with a first output port and a second output port; a second range changing valve for causing the first input port connected with the first output port to communicate with two range ports selectively and for causing a second input port connected with the second output port to communicate with at least another of the range ports selectively; and a drive mechanism for switching and operating the first and second range changing valves. Further comprised are: a fail detector for detecting a failure that either of the first range changing valve and the second range changing valve fails to be switched; and a fail controller for outputting an instruction signal to the drive mechanism to change the range by actuating the switchable one of the range changing valves if the fail detector detects the failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiharu Furukawa, Yoshio Shindo
  • Patent number: 5410476
    Abstract: An operation mode control system for an automatic automotive power transmission includes a manually operable mode selection switch for selecting an operation mode from among economy, power, and hold modes. When an acceleration demand magnitude is larger than a criterion value while the hold mode is selected, the execution of the hold mode is suspended. This suspension of the hold mode execution is automatically released without operating the manually operable mode selection switch when certain conditions are reached. The power mode may be executed in place of the hold mode during the suspension of the hold mode execution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Jatco Corporation
    Inventor: Naonori Iizuka
  • Patent number: 5404301
    Abstract: Pulse frequency modulation is used to control brakes and clutches which are operated by fluid pressure actuators controlled by electrically actuated solenoid valves. Short pulse periods for all duty cycles are generated by feedback from the solenoid valve or from the actuator. In one circuit an electrical control triggers a flip-flop which starts solenoid current. Solenoid movement results in back-emf and its effects on the solenoid flux field or current is detected and used as a feedback signal to reset the flip-flop to thereby turn off the current as soon as the valve is operated. In another circuit, a computer control emits a command for a certain pulse period. Actuator pressure or position is monitored to produce a feedback signal to the computer. If the signal is not received, the pulse period is increased for the next pulse command so that a sufficient pulse period will be found. If the magnitude of the actuator response exceeds a threshold, the pulse period is decreased for the next pulse command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: James M. Slicker
  • Patent number: 5389050
    Abstract: In a control system for controlling a gear ratio of a multi-step geared or continuously variable automatic transmission, the driver's intention to decelerate is inferred by carrying out a first fuzzy reasoning using a degree of throttle opening or the like and then the target gear ratio is determined by carrying out a second fuzzy reasoning using parameters including the inferred driver's intention to decelerate. The first fuzzy reasoning is carried out using fuzzy production rules classified by operating conditions such as a road profile and a vehicle speed. The inferred driver's intention to decelerate is canceled if braking is discontinued. Thus the control ascertain the intention of the driver and is thus possible to achieve sophisticated shift scheduling well matched to the sensibilities of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ichiro Sakai, Yoshihisa Iwaki, Takashi Haga, Shinichi Sakaguchi, Yukihiko Suzaki
  • Patent number: 5362286
    Abstract: An automatic transmission which includes a clutch (6); a clutch actuator (7) for detecting and controlling a position of the clutch; a transmission (1); a transmission actuator (2) for driving the transmission; a vehicle speed detector (22) for detecting a vehicle speed; a throttle opening detector (11) for detecting a throttle opening; an automatic shift unit (30) including a gear shift map (30a, 30b) having a gear shift characteristic which is determined based on the vehicle speed and the throttle opening; a computer unit (30c) for computing an instant gear position of the transmission based on the vehicle speed and the throttle opening according to the gear shift map; a gear position selector (30d) for controlling the transmission actuator based on the instant gear position to upshift or downshift the transmission; a shift prohibit unit (40) for determining whether the instant gear position matches the previous gear position from a memory (40a) for a predetermined times in a predetermined period and, if th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Satoh, Hiromi Kono, Hiroyuki Soda, Masuhiro Otsuka
  • Patent number: 5329830
    Abstract: A shift control apparatus for an automatic transmission of a vehicle wherein a plurality of speed ratios are achieved by electronically controlling individual hydraulic pressures supplied to a plurality of frictional engaging elements to selectively engage these frictional engaging elements, which includes speed ratio select members for changing over the speed ratio of the automatic transmission from a neutral position to a running position, operation condition determination members for determining operation condition of the vehicle, an electromagnetic valve for controlling hydraulic pressure supplied to a first frictional engaging element to achieve a first speed; and electromagnetic valve control members for controlling operation of the electromagnetic valve so that when the speed ratio select members is determined by the operation condition determination means to be slowly manipulated, a supply time of a maximum hydraulic pressure to the first frictional engaging element is extended by a predetermined time
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Kitagawa, Hiroshi Takuma, Shoji Kan, Yoichi Furuichi, Takahiro Taki
  • Patent number: 5315897
    Abstract: An engine speed control system causes an engine, equipped with an automatic transmission which shifts up according to predetermined shift schedules, to reduce its output at a predetermined engine speed so as to protect the engine by preventing the engine from being subjected to "over-revolution." The predetermined engine speed is changed according to engine operating conditions such as a decrease in engine temperature. Simultaneously, a shift-up vehicle speed, at which the automatic transmission shifts itself up, is decreased according to engine operating conditions and, more particularly, engine temperatures and throttle openings. As a result, an up-shift of the automatic transmission properly takes place, even when the vehicle travels at lower speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsutoshi Abe, Seiji Yashiki