Condition Responsive Control Patents (Class 477/174)
  • Patent number: 11920645
    Abstract: A method controls a hydraulic system for an actuation device and a cooling and/or lubricating device of a motor vehicle. The hydraulic system has a pump, multiple first actuation valves which are each arranged between a system rail connected to a pump outlet and a hydraulic consumer, as well as an additional valve which is arranged between the pump outlet and a coolant and/or lubricant supply line. The pump is switched between a normal operation and an enhanced operation according to an existing total energy demand of the hydraulic consumer. In normal operation, the pump is permanently driven and the additional valve is opened and closed to control pressure in the system rail. In enhanced operation, the pump is permanently driven, the additional valve is permanently closed and each of the actuation valves is operated according to an individual energy demand of the respective hydraulic consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG &Co. KG
    Inventor: Yunfan Wei
  • Patent number: 11708873
    Abstract: A freewheel for a motor vehicle drive train includes a locking pawl carrier which is rotatable with respect to a rotational axis, first and second locking pawls fastened pivotably in a locking pawl receptacle where the locking pawl receptacle is fixedly coupled to the locking pawl carrier. A shaft is rotatable about the rotational axis and has first and second coupling depressions in which the first and second locking pawls are respectively engageable. A switching ring is coupled fixedly to the locking pawl carrier so as to rotate with the locking pawl carrier and the switching ring is movable along the rotational axis by an actuator. A position of the switching ring is detectable by a sensor. A movement of the switching ring in one direction loads the first and second locking pawls in opposite pivoting directions and fixes a position of the first and second locking pawls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Benjamin Kluge, Sebastian Liebert
  • Patent number: 11060607
    Abstract: A transmission includes an input shaft coupled to a prime mover, a countershaft, main shaft, and an output shaft, with gears between the countershaft and the main shaft. A shift actuator selectively couples the input shaft to the main shaft by rotatably coupling gears between the countershaft and the main shaft. The shift actuator is mounted on an exterior wall of a housing including the countershaft and the main shaft. A controller controls the shift actuator utilizing an actuating pulse and an opposing pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: EATON CUMMINS AUTOMATED TRANSMISSION TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Thomas Connolly, Joseph Paul Furner, Sipei Chen, Jeff Hawarden, Ian Daniel McKenzie, Christopher DeBoer
  • Patent number: 11047472
    Abstract: A transmission includes an input shaft coupled to a prime mover, a countershaft, main shaft, and an output shaft, with gears between the countershaft and the main shaft. A shift actuator selectively couples the input shaft to the main shaft by rotatably coupling gears between the countershaft and the main shaft. The shift actuator is mounted on an exterior wall of a housing including the countershaft and the main shaft. A controller controls the shift actuator utilizing an actuating pulse and an opposing pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: EATON CUMMINS AUTOMATED TRANSMISSION TECH., LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Connolly, Joseph Paul Furner, Sipei Chen, Jeff Hawarden, Ian Daniel McKenzie, Christopher DeBoer
  • Patent number: 11001301
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for unparking a motor vehicle (1) from a cross-parking space (8), with which the motor vehicle (1) is manoeuvred along an unparking trajectory (9) at least semi-autonomously from the cross-parking space (8) onto a road (10) bounding on the cross-parking space (8), wherein during said semi-autonomous manoeuvring of the motor vehicle (1) along the unparking trajectory (9), at least one reversing movement is carried out, an end position (E) is determined and the semi-autonomous manoeuvring of the motor vehicle (1) along the unparking trajectory (9) is ended at the end position (E), wherein the end position (E) is defined as at least a position such that in the event of further movement of the motor vehicle (1) from the end position (E) being carried out, manual control of the motor vehicle (1) in a driving direction (13) predetermined by the road (10) can be carried out by a driver of the vehicle without manoeuvring the motor vehicle (1) in a forward movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Malte Joos, Mohamed Mahmoud, Frank Blinkle
  • Patent number: 10960884
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus include a controller structured to predict a change in speed of a vehicle in advance of upcoming terrain and inhibit a coasting event if the speed exceeds a limit. In one form a velocity of the vehicle is predicted using a physics based model of the vehicle within a look ahead window in front of a vehicle. Such a look ahead window can be distance or time based. In another, speed of a vehicle is monitored during a coasting event and is compared against a threshold to determine whether to remain coasting or re-engage an engine to a driveline. The threshold is a function of road grade, and permits a larger deviation from set speed at low grade than at high grade. The function can be based on road grade and vehicle weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Oruganti Prashanth Sharma, Kenneth M. Follen, Tejas Shrikant Kinjawadekar, Vivek Anand Sujan, Daniel Reed Dempsey, Apurva Chunodkar, Nathanael G. Long, Jairo Andres Sandoval Leon
  • Patent number: 10947769
    Abstract: It is provided an assembly for adjusting an adjustment element relative to a stationary section of a vehicle, in particular a vehicle door relative to a vehicle body, which comprises a drive motor for electromotively adjusting the adjustment element, an electrically actuatable coupling device, a sensor device for measuring an acceleration value of the adjustment element during an adjustment of the adjustment element, and a control device for controlling the drive motor and the coupling device. The control device is configured to calculate a force value or torque value acting on the coupling device with reference to an acceleration value obtained via the sensor device during an adjustment of the adjustment element in a slip state of the coupling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventor: Christoph Haberberger
  • Patent number: 10948034
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a driveline disconnect clutch for a hybrid vehicle shifting are presented. In one example, pressure of a working fluid supplied to the driveline disconnect clutch is adjusted in response to a rate of change in accelerator pedal position. Further, pressure of the working fluid may be decreased responsive to selected operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Francis Thomas Connolly, Xiaoyong Wang, Hong Jiang, Mark Steven Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 10935088
    Abstract: In a coasting control process, an ECU increases line pressure PL of a hydraulic path to predetermined pressure P1 such that discharge pressure of an MOP becomes higher than that before a C1 clutch is disengaged at timing when an executing condition of coasting control is satisfied (time t=t1). According to such coasting control process, driving torque of the MOP increases, so that deceleration (deceleration G) caused by driving of the MOP by a drive wheel becomes larger than that in conventional coasting control in which the discharge pressure of the MOP is not increased. As a result, it is possible to inhibit a driver from feeling discomfort due to free-running feeling generated during the coasting control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuro Morino, Yoshio Ito, Tomoaki Yanagida, Kenta Kimura, Yu Nagasato, Takuya Hirata, Tomoe Osada
  • Patent number: 10816046
    Abstract: A method of controlling an input clutch and an output clutch, wherein the input clutch couples to a power source, the output clutch couples to a load, and the input clutch couples to the output clutch via gears, includes controlling torque of the input clutch based on a torque of the output clutch or a lookup table that controls the torque of the output clutch. The method also includes adjusting the torque of the input clutch based on a slip speed of the input clutch and a slip speed of the output clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Garth Harvey Bulgrien, Alek Nicholas Czernobil
  • Patent number: 10753411
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes: a unit that acquires a first transmission torque transmitted in a first state in which a control pressure is controlled to a first pressure value, and a second transmission torque transmitted in a second state in which the control pressure is controlled to a second pressure value; a control unit including a storage unit that stores control data including data indicating a relationship between a friction coefficient and a surface pressure. The control unit calculates a first friction coefficient based on the data and the first pressure value, calculates a second friction coefficient based on the data and the second pressure value, calculates an estimated value of the touch point pressure based on the first and second pressure values, the first and second transmission torques, the first and second friction coefficients to control data based on the estimated value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eri Kubota, Masayuki Sadakiyo
  • Patent number: 10619731
    Abstract: A lockup control device for a vehicle includes: a torque converter; a lockup control section configured to increase a lockup pressure difference command to an initial pressure difference when a lockup engagement condition is satisfied in a disengagement state of the lockup clutch, and then to increase the lockup pressure difference command by a ramp pressure difference by a predetermined gradient, the lockup control section being configured to determine a ramp start condition by which the lockup pressure difference command is switched from the initial pressure difference to the ramp pressure difference, based on a speed ratio which is a ratio of input and output rotation speeds of the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Yamada, Kunihiro Takahashi, Syunsuke Iwamoto, Yuji Okamoto, Toshiaki Noda
  • Patent number: 10571022
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adapting a pressure to torque transfer function of a clutch of a dual clutch transmission. In one example, a method includes operating a first clutch of the dual clutch transmission at a selected capacity to change a speed of a first transmission input shaft to a desired speed, adjusting values of a torque transfer function of the first clutch based on a rate of the speed change, and maintaining driver demanded wheel torque during the adjusting via controlling torque output of an electric motor positioned in the driveline. In this way, the method may be used to adapt both positive and negative torque transfer functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Meyer, Matthew John Shelton, Michael Glenn Fodor
  • Patent number: 10377223
    Abstract: A working machine that includes an internal combustion engine, a generator, an energy storage and an electric motor for driving one or more wheels of the working machine is provided. The internal combustion engine is arranged to drive the generator and the generator is arranged to supply power to the electric motor via the energy storage. The working machine further includes an accelerator for controlling the electric motor, and a hydraulic pump for driving a hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic pump has a drive source different from the electric motor and the accelerator is arranged for controlling the speed of the hydraulic pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventors: Bo Vigholm, Andreas Ekvall
  • Patent number: 10344851
    Abstract: During a transmission upshift, a torque capacity of an off-going clutch is maintained at a non-zero state during the transition from the torque phase to the inertia phase and throughout a substantial portion of the inertia phase. This permits the inertia phase to be completed faster without an unacceptable increase in output torque during the torque phase. Monotonically reducing the off-going clutch torque and using feedback from an output torque sensor enable sufficiently precise control of the off-going clutch torque capacity during this interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hiral Jayantilal Haria, Yuji Fujii, Gregory Michael Pietron, Rohit Hippalgaonkar, Todd Mccullough
  • Patent number: 10336400
    Abstract: A bicycle transmission control apparatus is basically provided with a controller that is configured to control a gear ratio of a transmission based on seat height information of a bicycle seat relative to a bicycle frame, or change a parameter for shifting the transmission based on the seat height information of the bicycle seat relative to the bicycle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Nobukatsu Hara
  • Patent number: 10308253
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a continuously variable transmission and a torque converter that has a lock-up clutch. The torque converter is arranged between the engine and the continuously variable transmission. In this vehicle, when an engagement request of the lock-up clutch is issued, an initial-motion lock-up control is executed, whereby engagement is achieved through slip control that increases the lock-up capacity and gradually reduces the slip rotational speed, which is the input-output differential rotational speed of the lock-up clutch. During the slip control of the initial-motion lock-up control, if the slip rotational speed enters a smooth ON control region that is at or below a first set value, a second engine torque reduction control is executed that reduces the torque of the engine below the normal torque that is applied in response to a driver's request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuzuru Tohta
  • Patent number: 10274028
    Abstract: The present disclosure is configured to include a slip entry determining step of determining, by a controller, whether a driver in a full-lock control releases an accelerator pedal to thereby enter into a micro-slip control; a monitoring step of monitoring, by the controller, whether the release of the clutch occurs, in case of entering into the micro-slip control as a result of performing the slip entry determining step; a control amount adjusting step of resetting a feedback amount of a clutch control torque in the case that the release of the clutch occurs; and a clutch control step of controlling the clutch according to the clutch control torque as reset by the control amount adjusting step to thereby prevent or minimize the release of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sung Hyun Cho
  • Patent number: 10267415
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission with resistance change in a control system of the automatic transmission includes detecting an electrical resistance increase in a control loop for a shift element actuator of the automatic transmission, adjusting an electrical current to the shift element actuator in response to the electrical resistance increase, and shifting the automatic transmission to a gear in which the shift element is in the open operating state. A related control device for an automatic transmission is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Kai Leingruber, Gerd Muellerschoen, Matthias Dietlmeier
  • Patent number: 10144414
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a traction motor, a clutch configured to mechanically couple the engine and traction motor, and a controller. The controller may be configured to, in response to an engine starting and achieving a target speed while the traction motor is generating torque to drive the vehicle, retard engine spark, based on an amount of engine acceleration required to achieve the target speed, to reduce engine torque, and in response to the engine torque falling below a threshold value, lock the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth James Miller
  • Patent number: 10100884
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a clutch control method, including: a variation setting step of setting, by a controller, a current torque variation depending on a difference between a just previous clutch control torque and a clutch target torque; a limit determining step of determining whether a jerk of a clutch control torque need not be limited when the clutch control torque is reduced and then is increased or when the clutch control torque is continuously reduced by using the current torque variation and a just previous torque variation; a direction setting step and a limit setting step to determine a final torque variation based on the outcome of the limit determining step; and a control torque calculating step of calculating the clutch control torque to control a clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Jin Sung Kim, Ju Hyun Nam
  • Patent number: 10065649
    Abstract: A method of controlling a dual clutch transmission power on up shift including an on-coming clutch and an off-going clutch. The method includes implementing a prep phase comprised of decreasing torque on the off-going clutch, monitoring the off-going clutch speed to determine a slip point, and adding a bump torque to the off-going clutch when the off-going clutch reaches the slip point. The method implements a torque phase transferring torque from the off-going clutch to the on-coming clutch by increasing torque on the on-coming clutch towards an engine torque, decreasing torque on the off-going clutch, and simultaneously keeping the combination of torques greater than the slip point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Dunfee, II, Andrew Hart, Simon Fitzgerald, Michael Gallion
  • Patent number: 10046769
    Abstract: A control method for carrying out a gear shift in a transmission provided with a dual-clutch gearbox, so as to shift from a current gear to a following gear. The control method comprises the steps of; receiving a gear-shift command; filling with oil, always supplying the maximum possible oil flow rate, a second clutch associated with the following gear after receiving the gear-shift command; completely closing the second clutch at the maximum possible speed as soon as the oil filling ends; and completely opening a first clutch associated with the current gear A at the maximum possible speed as soon as the oil filling in the second clutch ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alessandro Barone, Barbara Prina, Francesco Marcigliano
  • Patent number: 10030721
    Abstract: A method for controlling a dual clutch transmission (DCT) may include: determining, by a state determination unit, whether a clutch of the DCT is stuck; disabling, by a control unit, the clutch when it is determined that the clutch is stuck; controlling, by the control unit, the driving unit to control the disabled clutch through a reference operation; determining, by the state determination unit, whether the disabled clutch is normally operated, when a vehicle is stopped; and enabling, by the control unit, the clutch when it is determined that the disabled clutch is normally operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Autron Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung Man Choi
  • Patent number: 10023203
    Abstract: A vehicle power transmission system includes: a transmission; a shift actuator; a clutch; a clutch actuator for mutually switching between the transmission and the shutting off of a driving force at the clutch; and a control device being configured to, when having detected that the vehicle is in the travelling state and that the clutch actuator is abnormal by use of the travelling state detection sensor and the CA abnormality detection sensor, control the operation of the shift actuator and cause the selected gear stage in the transmission to be shifted into neutral before the vehicle comes to a stop while shifting the selected gear stage in the transmission into a gear stage having a lower gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA F.C.C.
    Inventors: Kaoru Iida, Ryohei Chiba, Makoto Sato, Kazuyoshi Miyachi, Shouji Makita
  • Patent number: 10000204
    Abstract: A method for learning a touch point of an engine clutch of a hybrid electric vehicle including a motor connected to a transmission and an engine selectively connected to the motor through the engine clutch includes determining whether a learning condition of the touch point of the engine clutch is satisfied, releasing a transmission clutch and controlling a motor speed when the learning condition is satisfied, increasing a coupling pressure of the engine clutch when a change amount of the motor speed is less than a first predetermined value, comparing a change amount of a motor torque according to the increased coupling pressure of the engine clutch with a second predetermined value, and learning the touch point of the engine clutch when the change amount of the motor torque is greater than or equal to the second predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Song Il Park, Do Hee Kim, Yeon Bok Kim, Sungdeok Kim
  • Patent number: 9994230
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus is mounted on a vehicle. The information processing apparatus includes: a first acquiring unit that acquires, from each of one or more traffic lights, traffic light information including identifying information for identifying a corresponding traffic light, position information of the corresponding traffic light, and start time and end time of lighting in a color of a traffic signal indicating stop of the vehicle; a calculation unit that calculates a signal waiting time that indicates a time period for the vehicle to stop at a traffic light by using one or more pieces of the traffic light information; and an electric power control unit that controls an electric power state during stop of the vehicle in a multistage manner in accordance with the signal waiting time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Ryoh Tosaka
  • Patent number: 9945476
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a vehicle includes a torque converter including a lockup clutch, and a lockup controller configured to controllably move the lockup clutch from a released state in an engagement direction when the vehicle has just started. The apparatus further includes a rolling-down sensor configured to sense whether or not the vehicle that has just started has rolled down, and a lockup retarder configured to retard the movement of the lockup clutch in the engagement direction if the vehicle is sensed to have rolled down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadashi Saito, Yasunari Nakayama
  • Patent number: 9862387
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for protecting a vehicle clutch, including a check step for checking the mileage of a vehicle and the number of times a clutch wear compensation device is operated; after the check step, a calculation step for calculating a clutch thermal severity level, which indicates the degree of thermal severity of the clutch, based on the mileage and the number of times the wear compensation device is operated; and a control step for controlling at least one of the shifting pattern of the vehicle and engine RPM depending on the clutch thermal severity level, after the calculation step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Young Min Yoon
  • Patent number: 9841081
    Abstract: A transmission includes a transmission housing, six co-planar gear sets, a first and second input shafts, an output member, a first and second countershaft, and six synchronizer assemblies. The six synchronizer assemblies are selectively engaged to establish one of at least eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio between the transmission input shaft member and the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Rebecca Risko, Jack M. Gayney, Addison T. Solak
  • Patent number: 9789874
    Abstract: A running control device has an engine coupling running mode enabling an engine brake running mode performed by coupling an engine and wheels with an engine brake applied by driven rotation of the engine, and an inertia running mode performed with an engine brake force lower than that of the engine brake running mode. The running control device includes a steering wheel steering angle as a condition of terminating the inertia running mode. The running control device performs a first inertia running mode with the rotation of the engine stopped and a second inertia running mode with the engine rotating. The first inertia running mode is terminated when the steering angle becomes equal to or greater than a predefined first determination value. The second inertia running mode is terminated when the steering angle becomes equal to or greater than a predefined second determination value larger than the first determination value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeaki Suzuki, Masaki Matsunaga, Yasunari Kido, Takayuki Kogure, Yukari Okamura, Rentaro Kuroki, Takuya Hirai, Masaki Mitsuyasu, Jonggap Kim, Akihiro Sato, Yusuke Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 9731709
    Abstract: A driving system is provided for a vehicle that includes an engine, a driving motor connected to the engine and generating a driving force, and a transmission that receives a driving force generated from the driving motor and changes a direction of the driving force. Additionally, a clutch selectively connects between the driving motor and the transmission and a controller operates the driving motor and the transmission. The controller determines whether a direction inversion shifting condition is satisfied and performs a direction inversion shifting using the driving motor when the direction inversion shifting condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Teh Hwan Cho, Jungeol Song
  • Patent number: 9701309
    Abstract: A vehicle speed control system for a vehicle having a plurality of wheels, the vehicle speed control system comprising: means for receiving a user input of a target speed at which the vehicle is intended to travel; and means for commanding application of torque to one or more wheels of the vehicle, wherein the system is configured such that when it is required to accelerate the vehicle to achieve the target speed and the system detects a wheel slip event, the system is operable temporarily to suspend an increase in net torque applied to one or more wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Fairgrieve, James Kelly, Daniel Woolliscroft
  • Patent number: 9701308
    Abstract: A vehicle speed control system for a vehicle having a plurality of wheels, the vehicle speed control system comprising: means for receiving a user input of a target speed at which the vehicle is intended to travel; and means for commanding application of torque to one or more wheels of the vehicle, wherein the system is configured such that when it is required to accelerate the vehicle to achieve the target speed and the system detects a wheel slip event, the system is operable temporarily to suspend further acceleration of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Fairgrieve, James Kelly, Daniel Woolliscroft
  • Patent number: 9657655
    Abstract: The subject innovation relates to a control device for controlling the power of an engine, whereby the control device has a control range in which—with the drive train closed—neither a drive torque nor a braking torque is introduced, as well as to a control device for controlling the power of an engine, whereby the control device comprises a first control range in which the engine has a continuous braking torque, as a result of which the vehicle can be decelerated, and comprises a second control range in which the engine has a continuous drive torque, as a result of which the vehicle can be accelerated. In this process, assistance is provided for locating a third control range, whereby this third control range is situated between the first control range and the second control range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventor: Thilo Frey
  • Patent number: 9623873
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus is mounted on a vehicle. The information processing apparatus includes: a first acquiring unit that acquires, from each of one or more traffic lights, traffic light information including identifying information for identifying a corresponding traffic light, position information of the corresponding traffic light, and start time and end time of lighting in a color of a traffic signal indicating stop of the vehicle; a calculation unit that calculates a signal waiting time that indicates a time period for the vehicle to stop at a traffic light by using one or more pieces of the traffic light information; and an electric power control unit that controls an electric power state during stop of the vehicle in a multistage manner in accordance with the signal waiting time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Ryoh Tosaka
  • Patent number: 9482341
    Abstract: A control apparatus for automatic-transmission provided with input-clutch through which drive force generated by engine is input to automatic-transmission, released-side frictional coupling device being placed in released state to perform shifting action of automatic-transmission, and engaged-side frictional coupling device being placed in engaged state to perform shifting action, control apparatus including: first shifting mode control means including slipping means for placing input-clutch in released state, engaging means for placing input-clutch in engaged state, and releasing/engaging switching control means for controlling shifting action of automatic-transmission being performed in first shifting mode wherein released-side frictional coupling device is brought into released state, and engaged-side frictional coupling device is brought into engaged state, while input-clutch is placed in released or slipping state under control of slipping means, and input-clutch is then brought into engaged state under
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masami Kondo, Akio Sugawara, Shuntaro Shinohara
  • Patent number: 9470279
    Abstract: A dry clutch control apparatus may include a vibration component extractor configured to generate a virtual target input shaft speed from a wheel speed and detect a vibration component based on a difference between an actually measured input shaft speed and the virtual target input shaft speed; and a feedback controller configured to feedback-apply as an anti judder control input a clutch control torque corresponding to only an amplitude in any one direction from a center of an amplitude of the vibration component recognized in the vibration component extractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventor: Jin Sung Kim
  • Patent number: 9421977
    Abstract: A running control device is configured to execute an engine coupling running mode performed with an engine and wheels connected by a connecting/disconnecting device, a neutral inertia running mode performed with the engine separated from the wheels by the connecting/disconnecting device while the engine is supplied with fuel and allowed to perform self-sustaining rotation, and a free-run inertia running mode performed with the engine separated from the wheels by the connecting/disconnecting device while fuel supply to the engine is stopped to stop rotation. The neutral inertia running mode is terminated when an operation amount of the accelerator pedal becomes equal to or greater than a predefined first determination value. The free-run inertia running mode is terminated when an operation amount of the accelerator pedal becomes equal to or greater than a predefined second determination value larger than the first determination value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Rentaro Kuroki, Takuya Hirai, Masaki Mitsuyasu, Jonggap Kim, Masaki Matsunaga, Yasunari Kido, Takeaki Suzuki, Takayuki Kogure, Yukari Okamura, Akihiro Sato, Yusuke Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 9371904
    Abstract: A shift control method for a dual clutch transmission (DCT) vehicle may include determining whether power-on downshift is initiated, determining a progress degree of a shift process if the power-on downshift is initiated, determining a difference in the number of shift stages between a target shift stage and a current shift stage according to the determined progress degree of the shift process, and selecting and performing one of downshifts (e.g., other shaft full-skip power-on downshift, same shaft power-on downshift, and other shaft power-on downshift) according to the progress degree of the shift process and the shift stage number difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventor: Sung Hyun Cho
  • Patent number: 9365206
    Abstract: A method of controlling a dual clutch transmission power on up shift including an on-coming clutch and an off-going clutch. The method includes implementing a prep phase comprised of decreasing torque on the off-going clutch, monitoring the off-going clutch speed to determine a slip point, and adding a bump torque to the off-going clutch when the off-going clutch reaches the slip point. The method implements a torque phase transferring torque from the off-going clutch to the on-coming clutch by increasing torque on the on-coming clutch towards an engine torque, decreasing torque on the off-going clutch, and simultaneously keeping the combination of torques greater than the slip point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Dunfee, II, Andrew Hart, Simon Fitzgerald, Michael Gallion
  • Patent number: 9341218
    Abstract: A method for adapting a separating clutch in a drive train system of a vehicle, the drive train system having an electric machine, an internal combustion engine as well as an automatic transmission having an hydraulic torque converter and a torque-converter lockup clutch, and the separating clutch lying between the electric machine and the internal combustion engine, and the internal combustion engine being started by the electric machine while the electric machine drives the vehicle, having the following steps: in a time interval, the separating clutch is operated in slip operation for cranking up the internal combustion engine, in the time interval an expected rotary speed change of the electric machine is calculated, the rotary speed change expected by calculation is compared to the actually occurring rotary speed change for deviation and the deviation ascertained is used to adapt the separating clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Rene Schenk
  • Patent number: 9163721
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing a multiple gear downshift of a transmission gear by transiently operating in an intermediate gear. In response to air mass flow not reaching a threshold for CAC self-cleansing for a set duration, the transmission gear may be downshifted from a higher gear to an intermediate gear, and then to a requested lower gear. Downshifting through an intermediate gear may also be controlled based on the gear shift request and maximum air mass flow levels for engine misfire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kristofor Robert Norman, Shuya Shark Yamada
  • Patent number: 9132829
    Abstract: A control device of a vehicle drive device includes a hydraulic power transmission device having an input-side rotating element to which power from an engine is input and an output-side rotating element outputting power to drive wheels, a first electric motor coupled to the input-side rotating element, and a second electric motor coupled to the drive wheels, the vehicle drive device having an electric path through which power is electrically transmitted between the first electric motor and the second electric motor and a mechanical path through which power is mechanically transmitted via the hydraulic power transmission device, the control device controlling an operating point of the engine by adjusting a torque of the first electric motor, the control device changing a proportion of power transmitted through the electric path and power transmission through the mechanical path based on a request amount when the operating point of the engine is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Tatsuya Imamura
  • Patent number: 9132822
    Abstract: A device and method for controlling a clutch of a hybrid vehicle controls an engagement and a disengagement of an engine clutch installed between an engine and a motor. The device includes a acceleration request sensor for sensing driving situations in which acceleration is needed immediately after deceleration of the hybrid vehicle in a state where the engine clutch is engaged. A controller maintains the engagement state of the engine clutch even though a disengagement condition of the engine clutch is satisfied when receiving a sensed signal of the acceleration request sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Jung Un An
  • Patent number: 9097294
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling a clutch fill command based on the hydraulic state of an oncoming clutch is provided. A vehicle includes a hydraulically-actuated oncoming clutch that is configured to engage during a shift event from one operating mode of the vehicle to another. A controller is configured to generate a clutch fill command at an initial time such that completion of the clutch fill command is synchronized with an identified speed profile of the oncoming clutch. The oncoming clutch defines a real-time hydraulic state when the clutch fill command is generated. The controller is configured to generate a real-time acceptable speed margin for the oncoming clutch based at least partially on the real-time hydraulic state of the oncoming clutch. The controller is configured to cancel the clutch fill command if a real-time speed of the oncoming clutch is outside the generated real-time acceptable speed margin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Kaminsky, Jy-Jen F. Sah, Besim Demirovic, Pinaki Gupta
  • Patent number: 9050966
    Abstract: If an electric oil pump fails when an engine automatically stops under predetermined conditions, a gear that has been in engagement when the engine is automatically stopped is automatically disengaged and a clutch is automatically disengaged to thereby bring a transmission into a neutral state, and thereafter the engine is compulsorily re-started. After a sufficient hydraulic pressure of working fluid supplied to the transmission by activation of a mechanical oil pump accompanied by compulsory re-starting of the engine is secured, the disengaged gear and clutch are re-engaged. This eliminates a clutch engagement shock or clutch slipping due to an insufficient hydraulic pressure caused by a fault of the electric oil pump if it is necessary to compulsorily re-start the engine immediately after an automatic engine stop accompanying failure of the electric oil pump. Thus, a reduction in durability of the transmission is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Wakita
  • Patent number: 9026328
    Abstract: A transmission controller increases an indicated hydraulic pressure to a starting frictional engagement element to a normal hydraulic pressure, causes a hydraulic piston to stroke and executes a learning control of the indicated hydraulic pressure so that a time until the starting frictional engagement element starts generating a transmission capacity after the range is switched from the neutral range to the drive range becomes a target time when a range is switched from a neutral range to a drive range. The transmission controller further detects a driver's starting intention and increases the indicated hydraulic pressure to the starting frictional engagement element to a starting time hydraulic pressure higher than the normal hydraulic pressure and prohibits the learning control if the starting intention is detected before the starting frictional engagement element starts generating the transmission capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventor: Hiromichi Akebono
  • Patent number: 9020718
    Abstract: A torque converter (1) connecting an engine (14) and a transmission (15) of a vehicle is provided with a lockup clutch (2), and a controller (5) is programmed to increase an engagement force of a lockup clutch (2) under open loop control before shifting to feedback control of the engaging force using a target slip rotation speed. When an engine output torque rapidly decreases during open loop control (S59, S60), the controller (5) decreases the engaging force according to a variation amount of the engine output torque (S61, S65), thereby preventing an unintentional sudden engagement of the lockup clutch (2) due to decrease in the engine output torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Katsumata, Satoshi Segawa
  • Patent number: 9002600
    Abstract: An example method of operation comprises, selectively shutting down engine operation responsive to operating conditions and without receiving an engine shutdown request from the operator, maintaining the automatic transmission in gear during the shutdown, and during an engine restart from the shutdown condition, and with the transmission in gear, transmitting reduced torque to the transmission. For example, slippage of a forward clutch of the transmission may be used to enable the transmission to remain in gear, yet reduce torque transmitted to the vehicle wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Peter John Grutter, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Felix Nedorezov