Downshift Control Patents (Class 477/140)
  • Patent number: 10619727
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing shift changes of a multi-speed automatic transmission of a vehicle are provided. The multi-speed automatic transmission being capable of establishing a plurality of forward speed ratios. The vehicle may include a transmission shift selector having at least one operator selectable shift request input to request a shift change of the multi-speed automatic transmission. A control circuit operatively coupled to the multi-speed automatic transmission is provided which shifts the multi-speed automatic transmission from a first forward speed ratio to a second forward speed ratio in response to shift criteria. The shift criteria may be based on a plurality of operational characteristics related to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Maurer, Mark A. Rains, Edmond M. Etchason
  • Patent number: 8491444
    Abstract: A method of controlling a machine transmission includes determining a first target torque of the transmission. The first target torque includes a combination of a torque limit associated with a power source of the machine and a virtual retarding torque. The method also includes directing the transmission to generate a first output corresponding to the first target torque. The first output of the transmission increases a speed of the power source from a first power source speed to a second power source speed and decreases a travel speed of the machine from a first travel speed to a second travel speed. The method further includes determining that the first target torque is not equal to the torque limit, and determining a second target torque of the transmission in response. The second target torque is less than the first target torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Li, Randall Todd Anderson, Brian Douglas Hoff
  • Patent number: 8296002
    Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling a vehicle, the vehicle provided with: a rotating electrical machine capable of inputting or outputting a torque with respect to an input shaft; and a transmission, which is disposed between the input shaft and an output shaft coupled with an axle, which is provided with a plurality of engaging apparatuses, which transmits a torque between the input shaft and the output shaft, and which can establish a plurality of gear stages having mutually different transmission gear ratios in accordance with engagement states of the plurality of engaging apparatuses, the transmission gear ratio being a ratio between a rotational speed of the input shaft and a rotational speed of the output shaft, the vehicle control apparatus provided with: a detecting device for detecting a braking operation amount of a driver; and an input shaft torque controlling device for controlling a torque of the input shaft such that in cases where the detected braking operation amount changes in a reducing dire
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenta Kumazaki, Tooru Matsubara, Atsushi Tabata
  • Patent number: 8165766
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicles drivetrain including an engine and automatic transmission, such that transmission ratios are shifted within a range of transmission ratios in a continuous and/or stepped manner as function of preset target speeds that are adjustable via a vehicle speed control and actual vehicle inclinations in relation to the vehicles longitudinal axis. When the actual speed of the vehicle differs from a preset threshold speed, a request to change an actual ratio of the transmission is generated, if it has been determined that the output torque is smaller than a threshold value or an output torque required to adjust the preset threshold speed of the vehicle. The ratio of the transmission is shifted so the torque applied to the output is modified toward the output torque required to adjust the threshold speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Norbert Müller, Franz-Josef Schuler, Clemens Kuhn
  • Patent number: 8116952
    Abstract: A control system for an automatic transmission is provided with a manual shift mode capable of performing a shift command made by manual operation. While in the manual shift mode and during the operation of a downshift command generated by a shift lever, a manual shift control unit calculates a degree of power required by a driver that, for example, takes into consideration an operation intent of the driver and a road condition. A post-downshift shift speed is then determined in accordance with the degree of required power and downshifting performed. By performing only one downshift command through manual operation, downshifting in accordance with the degree of power required by the driver is performed. Downshifting to a shift speed desired by the driver can thus be promptly performed, without the operation becoming a burden.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Sugiura, Yosuke Takei, Hideaki Ogasawara, Hiroshi Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 8068963
    Abstract: A control device for an automatic transmission capable of operating in an automatic shift mode in which a gear ratio is automatically selected based on driving conditions of a vehicle, and also capable of operating in a manual shift mode in which the gear ratio is changed based on an upshift command or a downshift command by manual operation of a manual operation device, the control device includes a manual shift control unit that changes and sets the gear ratio after downshift depending on road conditions when the downshift command has been operated by the manual operation device in the manual shift mode, and performs the downshift to the gear ratio that has been changed and set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Sugiura, Yosuke Takei, Hideaki Ogasawara, Hiroshi Tsutsui
  • Publication number: 20110077123
    Abstract: A method and control module for controlling a transmission of a vehicle includes a clutch torque load predictor module generating a predicted clutch torque load signal for the shift command and a minimum clutch pressure module generating a minimum clutch pressure signal corresponding to a minimum clutch pressure. The control module includes a pressure command module generating a commanded clutch pressure signal for the predicted clutch torque load signal based on the minimum clutch pressure signal and commanding operation of a clutch with a commanded clutch pressure signal. The control module also includes a transmission control module generating the shift command after the clutch torque load predictor module generates the predicted clutch signal, the minimum clutch pressure module generates the minimum clutch pressure signal and the pressure command module generates the commanded clutch pressure signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OEPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: William R. Mayhew, Haytham A. Fayyad, Stephen R. Tokish
  • Patent number: 7806790
    Abstract: A slippage detection system for a continuously variable transmission capable of continuously changing a ratio between a speed of rotation of an input member and a speed of rotation of an output member is provided. The slippage detection system calculates a correlation coefficient relating to the input rotation speed and the output rotation speed, based on a plurality of measurement values of the input rotation speed and a plurality of measurement values of the output rotation speed, and determines slippage of the torque transmitting member in the continuously variable transmission based on the calculated correlation coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Kazumi Hoshiya, Yasuhiro Oshiumi, Yasunori Nakawaki, Masataka Osawa, Hiroyuki Nishizawa, Hiroyuki Yamaguchi, Hideyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7780570
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program for implementing a method that includes: a step of performing control so that torque capacity Tch of a frictional engagement device that is brought from an engaged state into a disengage state by a downshift operation is gradually reduced to start an inertia phase when a power-on downshift is performed; and a step of stopping the gradual reduction of the torque capacity Tch when the rate of change in an input shaft rotation speed NI of an automatic transmission has reached a desired rate of change ?N(1). Variation in output torque is kept small, and the shock that can occur at the time of a shift is thus reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Takaaki Tokura
  • Patent number: 7739019
    Abstract: A rough road detection system for a vehicle comprises a first acceleration sensor that measures vertical acceleration of a component of the vehicle. An adaptive acceleration limits module determines a first acceleration limit based upon a speed of the vehicle. A limit comparison module generates a rough road signal based on a comparison of the first acceleration limit from the adaptive acceleration limits module and the measured acceleration from the first acceleration sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominique Robert, Herve Scelers, Pascal Tissot
  • Publication number: 20100131161
    Abstract: A method for controlling a transmission includes applying a reference stroke pressure to an oncoming control element while executing a downshift to a target gear, determining a stroke pressure adjustment in response to a turbine speed flare during the downshift, and re-executing the downshift while applying to the oncoming element an adapted stroke pressure that is a sum of the stroke pressure adjustment and the reference stroke pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Terry G. Feldpausch, Karl M. Jungbluth, Christopher M. Williams, Todd J. Newman, Henry A. Rebandt
  • Patent number: 7678018
    Abstract: A method for implementing shifts from a source gear to a target gear of an automatic shift transmission includes storing a respective upshift threshold and a respective downshift threshold for each possible sequential gear shift. The respective upshift threshold and the respective downshift threshold are defined in dependence of an accelerator pedal position, such that a limit value that is valid for a respective upshift or downshift is stored as a vehicle speed value in a control device. The vehicle speed that changes while the motor vehicle is driving and a changing accelerator pedal position are measured. Downshifts are simplified for a driver by configuring at least two downshift thresholds to be substantially horizontally extending in a first region of a possible accelerator pedal position and at least partly step-shaped in a second region of the possible accelerator pedal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Stephan Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20090318264
    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: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventor: Masami SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 7563198
    Abstract: A shift control device of a vehicular automatic transmission that establishes a plurality of gear steps of different speed change ratios by selectively engaging a plurality of friction engagement devices ends the shift control by making an engagement end determination regarding an engagement-side friction engagement device if it has been determined continuously for a predetermined time that the input shaft rotation speed of the automatic transmission is in the vicinity of the synchronous rotation speed of the post-shift gear step. The predetermined time is set at a first time if the downshift is a power-on downshift due to a shift judgement in a power-on state, and is set at a second time that is shorter than the first time if the downshift is a power-off?on downshift selected in connection with a change to the power-on state during a power-off shift due to the shift judgment in a power-off state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Ayabe, Toshio Sugimura, Ayumu Sagawa, Takahiko Tsutsumi, Hisashi Ishihara, Kazuhiro Iketomi, Yosuke Takaie
  • Publication number: 20090171542
    Abstract: A control device for an automatic transmission capable of operating in an automatic shift mode in which a gear ratio is automatically selected based on driving conditions of a vehicle, and also capable of operating in a manual shift mode in which the gear ratio is changed based on an upshift command or a downshift command by manual operation of a manual operation device, the control device includes a manual shift control unit that changes and sets the gear ratio after downshift depending on road conditions when the downshift command has been operated by the manual operation device in the manual shift mode, and performs the downshift to the gear ratio that has been changed and set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tadashi Sugiura, Yosuke Takei, Hideaki Ogasawara, Hiroshi Tsutsui
  • Publication number: 20090149295
    Abstract: This invention provides a vehicle control apparatus constructed so that during the control of a downshift for deceleration, braking shocks can be reduced and the amount of energy regenerated can be increased, and a hybrid vehicle equipped with the control apparatus. The hybrid vehicle 1 includes wheels 14, an engine 12, a motor 11, a multi-stage transmission 20 that reduces motor torque and transmits the reduced torque to the wheels, and a brake 15 that brakes the wheels. During deceleration downshift control, a hybrid control module 100 provides distribution control of the regenerative torque of the motor 11 and the braking torque of the brake 15 so that the total braking force of the vehicle during gear shifting matches a target value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: Hitachi,Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Yamamoto, Yutaka Takaku
  • Publication number: 20090131220
    Abstract: A shift control method of an automatic transmission according to this invention controls a shift from an N speed achieved by engagement of first and second frictional elements to an N-3 speed achieved by engagement of third and fourth frictional elements, wherein release of the second frictional element begins after release of the first frictional element begins and engagement of the fourth frictional element begins after engagement of the third frictional element begins, and wherein the engagement of the third frictional element is completed substantially at the same time that the release of the second frictional element is completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Byeong Wook Jeon
  • Patent number: 7326149
    Abstract: A converterless, multiple-ratio transmission and shift control method wherein smoothness of power-on upshifts and downshifts and power-off upshifts and downshifts is achieved by closed loop control of slip speed and friction element actuating pressure for an oncoming friction element, the data used during the closed loop control including speed sensor information for multiple friction elements during upshift and downshifts events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marvin Kraska, Walt Ortmann
  • Patent number: 7074158
    Abstract: A shift control apparatus of an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle to which torque is transmitted from an engine via a fluid coupling device is provided. In the automatic transmission including a plurality of hydraulically operated friction elements, a clutch-to-clutch downshift is carried out during coasting of the vehicle by releasing one of the friction elements and engaging another friction element. A controller of the shift control apparatus detects a difference between input and output rotation speeds of the fluid coupling device, and increases an engine speed by a controlled amount based on the difference between the input and output rotation speeds when the clutch-to-clutch downshift is carried out during coasting of the vehicle, so that the vehicle is brought into a minimal driving state in which the engine speed is slightly higher than the output rotation speed of the fluid coupling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Watanabe, Toshimitsu Sato, Atsushi Ayabe, Shinji Kato, Naoyuki Sakamoto, Hiromichi Kimura, Noboru Shibata, Mitsuhiro Nakamura, Hideaki Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 6896636
    Abstract: The oil supply device for a change-under-load transmission having a high-pressure circuit and a low-pressure circuit is designed in such a manner that the high-pressure feed line to the consumer devices of the transmission system incorporates an inlet aperture of small size, the low-pressure feed line is connected between the inlet aperture and the consumer device, and the low-pressure feed line can be cut off from the high-pressure feed line by a one-way valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Winfried Fideler
  • Patent number: 6761664
    Abstract: When a current downshift is determined to be a multiple downshift, it is determined whether or not a torque down during a first downshift is in a condition of interfering with learning performed for stabilizing the downshift operation during a second downshift is executed. If the torque down during the first downshift is determined to be in the condition of interfering with the learning, the learning is prohibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Ayabe, Kazuyuki Watanabe, Shinji Kato, Toshimitsu Sato, Naoyuki Sakamoto, Hiromichi Kimura, Yasuo Hojo
  • Patent number: 6554741
    Abstract: In a shift control device for an automatic transmission capable of switching from a normal automatic shift control to a drive-downshift forcible termination control when a time rate of change in transmission input speed is reduced to below a threshold value owing to a drop in transmission input torque during drive downshift from a higher gear position to a lower gear position with an accelerator pedal depressed, a drive-downshift forcible termination control section is provided. The drive-downshift forcible termination section executes the drive-downshift forcible termination control only when the time rate of change in transmission input speed is reduced to below a first predetermined threshold value and a value equivalent to the transmission input torque is reduced to below a second predetermined threshold value, to forcibly terminate the drive downshift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Jatco Transtechnology Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuji Saito
  • Patent number: 6454678
    Abstract: A shift control method for an automatic transmission includes the steps of outputting a predetermined shift control signal while driving in a second speed for controlling shifting into a third speed if signals indicating that shifting from the second speed into the third speed are applied; determining if third speed synchronization is completed; or determining if a tip-in signal has been applied if third speed synchronization is not completed; outputting a throttle compensation duty and determining if signals corresponding to 3-2 kickdown shifting are received if a tip-in signal is applied during third speed synchronization; comparing an oil temperature with a first predetermined value if signals corresponding to 3-2 kickdown shifting are received; comparing a vehicle speed with a second predetermined value if the oil temperature is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value; detecting an On/Off state of a kickdown switch if the vehicle speed is greater than or equal to the second predetermined va
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventor: Sang-Chul Lee
  • Patent number: 6045483
    Abstract: There are respectively provided control valves 15, 16 in hydraulic oil paths L11, L12 for inputting governor pressure PV into shift valves 11.sub.1, 11.sub.2, 11.sub.3. In the control valves 15, 16, there are provided first pressure chambers 15g, 16g pushing the spools 15a, 16a of the control valves 15, 16 onto the closing position side. At position "D.sub.3 " or "2", hydraulic pressure is inputted into the first pressure chambers 15g, 16g, so that the spools 15a, 16a can be changed over to the closing position, and the input of governor pressure PV into the shift valves 11.sub.1, 11.sub.2, 11.sub.3 is stopped so that the shift valves can be changed over to the low speed position. In the control valves 15, 16, there are provided second pressure chambers 15h, 16h pushing the spools 15a, 16a onto the opening position side, and governor pressure PV is inputted into the second pressure chambers 15h, 16h.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaya Tamai, Yasushi Shimizu, Masaru Yamashita
  • Patent number: 6024672
    Abstract: A shift control method for an automatic transmission not equipped to undergo skip shifting. Various skip shifting patterns are realized by detecting changes in turbine RPM, and delaying shifting if it is determined that turbine RPM are irregular, thereby achieving a normal shift pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Woo-won Chung
  • Patent number: 5961421
    Abstract: In an automatic transmission of the type wherein a stage intermediate between a higher speed stage and a lower speed stage is achieved through a clutch-to-clutch operation, a power-ON skip downshift is executed via the intermediate stage. First, when the skip downshift has been judged, the hydraulic pressure of the clutch (C4) of the higher speed stage is lowered. Next, when the input speed(r.p.m.) of the transmission have reached the synchronous r.p.m. (SS3) of the intermediate stage, the hydraulic pressure (P3) of the clutch (C3) of the intermediate stage is raised and adjusted so that the rise rate of the input r.p.m. may become a specific value d/dt(NT1). When the input r.p.m. have exceeded the synchronous r.p.m. (SS2) of the lower speed stage, the hydraulic pressure of the intermediate-stage clutch (C3) is adjusted so that the input r.p.m. may keep specific r.p.m. higher than the synchronous r.p.m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazumi Hoshiya, Hidehiro Oba
  • Patent number: 5647819
    Abstract: A speed change control method for an automatic transmission is provided, which is capable of reducing a shift shock and a required shifting time period. A skip down-shift from a first shift position to a second shift position is effected by way of a third shift position which is not used in a normal shifting. If it is determined that a difference (N.sub.TM -N.sub.T) between the present turbine rotation speed N.sub.T and the synchronous rotation speed N.sub.TM for the third shift position becomes smaller than a threshold value .DELTA.N.sub.FM during the shifting from the first shift position to the third shift position, a control for releasing a friction engaging element 23, corresponding to a releasing side speed-changing element of the third shift position, is started prior to establishment of the third shift position, whereby a time period for establishing the third shift position is shortened, so that a shift shock and a required shifting time period are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenjiro Fujita, Katsutoshi Usuki, Tetsuya Tashiro