Speed Responsive Patents (Class 477/175)
  • Patent number: 7945365
    Abstract: A method of influencing an automated transmission of a motor vehicle having a tractional resistance detection unit, the method comprising the steps of reading data, via the tractional resistance detection unit, containing at least information about a torque of a drivetrain, a rotational speed of the drive train, and an acceleration of the vehicle, determining the external tractional resistance of the vehicle based upon the read data, and influencing the shift program by at least one of activation, adaptation and variation of the shift program, on a basis one of an actual and a statistically prepared data about the external tractional resistance of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Markus Eisele, Harry Nolzen, Jürgen Blaser, Harm Adams
  • Patent number: 7938750
    Abstract: In a method and a device for operating a drive unit, e.g., of a vehicle, to provide improved diagnosis of a state of a power transmission unit, the power transmission unit in the engaged state transmits an output power of an engine to a drive train, the state of the power transmission unit being detected. The state of the power transmission unit is diagnosed as a function of an output quantity of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried Langer, Georg Mallebrein, Matthew Dorfman
  • Patent number: 7935022
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle power transmitting system including a switching portion operable to switch a power transmitting path between a power transmitting state and a power cut-off state in response to an operation of a shift lever, the control apparatus including (a) an operating-state estimating portion configured to estimate an operating speed of an electric motor which constitutes a part of the power transmitting path or a rotating speed of a coupling element of the coupling portion, which speed is established after switching of the power transmitting path from one of the power transmitting and cut-off states to the other, and (b) a switching restricting portion configured to restrict a switching operation to switch the power transmitting path between the two states, when the estimated operating or rotating speed of the electric motor or coupling device is higher than a predetermined upper limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Iwase, Tooru Matsubara, Hiroyuki Shibata, Atsushi Tabata
  • Patent number: 7908069
    Abstract: A method of operating a clutch during vehicle launch including increasing a first hydraulic pressure in an inner chamber from a first to a second level; decreasing a second hydraulic pressure in an outer chamber from a third to a fourth level in response to engine speed and throttle position for the vehicle; and slipping the clutch in response to increasing and decreasing the first and second pressures, respectively. The first hydraulic pressure urges a clutch disposed between the engine and an impeller for a vehicle torque converter to an engaged position. The second hydraulic pressure opposes the first hydraulic pressure. In some aspects, the method includes determining a temperature for oil in a transmission in the vehicle. Then, decreasing the second hydraulic pressure includes decreasing the second pressure in response to the determined temperature. In some aspects, the clutch and the chambers are located in the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jeremy Whitmer
  • Patent number: 7887458
    Abstract: A clutch controller that transmits appropriate torque during engaging operation of a clutch and prevents excessive increase or decrease in engine speed. The clutch controller performs request follow-up control under which a clutch actuator is actuated based on a difference between actual transmission torque that is transmitted from a drive-side member to a driven-side member of a clutch, and request transmission torque that is determined based on a rider's accelerator operation, such that the actual transmission torque approximates the request transmission torque. If an engine operates in a predetermined operation condition, rotational speed maintaining control is performed under which the clutch actuator is actuated such that the actual transmission torque approximates the engine torque, in place of the request follow-up control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kengo Minami
  • Patent number: 7867138
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle transmission, the vehicle transmission including a power shift gearbox, the power shift gearbox having a power shift input shaft, a power shift output shaft, power shift input gearing and power shift output gearing, and a plurality of power shift clutches to drivingly connect the power shift input gearing and the power shift output gearing, and a master clutch operable to connect the power shift input shaft to a prime mover, the method comprising the steps of, disengaging the master clutch, and engaging at least two of the power shift clutches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: J.C. Bamford Excavators Limited
    Inventors: Leonard Earp, David Allan Wozencraft, Glyn Clifford Price
  • Patent number: 7850570
    Abstract: A method of determining an application point of an automatically actuated clutch of an automatic mechanical transmission. After pre-selecting a new gear, the clutch automatically separates, the activated gear disengages, the engine rotational speed is brought to a target value for the new gear and the clutch, with higher advancing speed, is advanced to an application point at which the transmission input shaft is precisely entrained. To determine the application point, the gradient of the time curve of the rotational speed of the transmission input shaft is monitored, an important change of the gradient, that adjusts itself when reaching the application point, is determined and the current position of the clutch is defined as the application point. The application point is determined during downshifts, the time rotational speed curve of the transmission input shaft is between slowdown and re-acceleration, which is easily and accurately determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Jäger, Roland Mair
  • Publication number: 20100298093
    Abstract: This apparatus is provided with a clutch mechanism 14. The clutch mechanism 14 is interposed between an engine 11 and a transmission 15, and is coupled to a clutch pedal 28. An operating mode of the clutch mechanism 14 changes in conjunction with a change of an operating position of the clutch pedal 28. In the case that an execution condition is met, the apparatus lowers a maximum operating speed of the clutch mechanism 14 in comparison with a state in which an execution condition is not met. The execution condition includes the following execution start condition that “the operating position of the clutch pedal 28 is a position setting the clutch mechanism 14 to a disengaged state, and a changing speed of the operating position of the clutch pedal 28 in an engaging direction at a time of setting the clutch mechanism 14 to an engaged state from the disengaged state is equal to or higher than a predetermined starting speed”.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI
    Inventors: Shinichi Takeuchi, Kotaro Hoshihara, Shinichiro Watarai, Yasuyuki Hagino
  • Patent number: 7828684
    Abstract: A control system for controlling an axle clutch between two half-axles in a motor vehicle is provided. The control system includes two solenoids and a pressure sensor in communication with a controller and a valve assembly. One of the solenoids provides a flow of fluid to engage the axle clutch. The valve assembly cooperates with another of the solenoids to disengage the axle clutch under certain conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian W. Whitmarsh, Todd W. Rooney, Mark A. Vernacchia, Joshua E. Lehrmann, Wayne B. Vogel
  • Patent number: 7819037
    Abstract: A shift control device is provided for reducing a shock generated at a clutch engagement moment in a gearshift operation in a straddle type vehicle having a shift control device that makes the clutch operation and the gearshift operation using the power of an actuator. The actuator is controlled based upon a rotational position and a speed of a shift shaft. When the rotational position of the shift shaft is located between a first position and a second position, the shift shaft is rotated at a speed slower than a rotational speed at which the shift shaft is rotated before reaching the first position to engage a gearshift clutch at a low speed. The first position and the second position are set in such a manner that the gearshift clutch is in a halfway engaged state when the shift shaft is located at a rotational position between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazutaka Hiroi, Shigeo Morisugi, Masao Sugita
  • Publication number: 20100216597
    Abstract: An automatic vehicle transmission comprises a first oil supply unit (10) with at least one mechanically driven first pump (11) and a second oil supply unit (20) with at least one electrically driven second pump (21), and a valve device (14) and a clutch system (1). The second oil supply unit (20) supplies the clutch system (1), during a first operating condition, and the first oil supply unit (10) supplies the clutch system (1), during a second operating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Rainer GRUNDLER, Thilo SCHMIDT, Christian POPP, Heinrich ZELLER
  • Patent number: 7780572
    Abstract: A control valve arrangement having a clutch regulation valve (3), which pressurizes a device to actuate the clutch, and a valve that produces a controlled pilot pressure (P_VST3). An electronic control unit (ECU) controls a valve to supply a control valve with the pressure (P_VST3). The arrangement further having a hydraulic system which, if the ECU fails and the pressure (P_VST3) ceases, the last shift condition of the clutch actuation device, prior to the ECU failure, can be maintained in an emergency. The arrangement includes a valve, which delivers an activation pressure (P_A), depending on an engine-speed-dependent control pressure (P_D), to an actuation valve (2), which then delivers the pressure (P_A) to the valve (3) to prevent the emergency function initiation despite a lack of pressure (P_VST3) and existence of the pressure (P_D) sufficiently high to initiate the emergency function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Georg Gierer, Thilo Schmidt, Anton Fritzer, Markus Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20100204011
    Abstract: The invention relates to a controller for a vehicle having installed thereon a drive power source, a transmission, and a torque converter that is equipped with a lockup clutch and is provided between the drive power source and the transmission. The controller includes a detection unit that detects an actual revolution speed of the drive power source, and a control unit that controls the lockup clutch so that a state of the lockup clutch becomes any state from among a disengaged state, an engaged state, and a slip state. When executing a slip control, the control unit compares the actual revolution speed with the target revolution speed, and feedback controls a transmission torque of the lockup clutch on the basis of a comparison result of the actual revolution speed and a target revolution speed so as to cause the actual revolution speed to follow the target revolution speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Taira IRAHA
  • Patent number: 7771317
    Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling actuation of at least one starting clutch of an automatic transmission includes at least one clutch control valve through which a supply pressure is directed to a clutch actuation device, a pressure control valve controlled by a control device to supply at least one control valve of the valve assembly with a pilot pressure, a self-maintained hydraulic unit to maintain operation of an engaged starting clutch upon failure of the control device and loss of the pilot pressure. The valve assembly has a self-maintained valve and an activation valve. The self-maintained valve directs an activation pressure or control pressure, depending on the engine or transmission speed, to the activation valve. The actuation valve directs the activation to at least one clutch-regulating valve. The valve assembly also controls actuation or de-activation of the emergency operation function with a clutch actuation pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Georg Gierer, Thilo Schmidt, Anton Fritzer, Markus Herrmann
  • Patent number: 7744504
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus is provided which can detect a rotating speed drop of an engine generated together with a clutch connection so as to be set to a trigger of a control start. An engine rotating speed at a time of issuing the trigger is set to a target rotating speed, and a rotating speed feedback control having an engine torque as an operation amount is carried out. An ignition retard and a fuel cut are provided as an operator for engine torque in addition to an intake air amount operation by an electronically controlled throttle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Satou, Toshio Hori, Mamoru Nemoto
  • Patent number: 7744505
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure control device is provided that that controls hydraulic pressure of a clutch supplying torque to a continuously variable transmission while the vehicle is stopped and in a running range. The hydraulic pressure control device has an control section that estimates a clutch engagement hydraulic pressure for changing the clutch from an engaged state to a disengaged state based the hydraulic fluid pressure acting on the clutch during the stopping of the rotational movement of a primary pulley of the continuously variable transmission, and then controls regulation of the hydraulic pressure to the clutch from an engaged state to a disengaged state, when the vehicle is stopped and in the running range, so that the torque from the engine does not rotate a secondary pulley of the continuously variable transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Tanaka, Hideshi Wakayama, Shoichi Sekiguchi, Katsumi Doihara, Hideaki Sasaki, Azusa Shimoda, Naohiro Hoshi, Tatsuya Ozone, Toshio Saitou, Koji Dohi
  • Patent number: 7736270
    Abstract: A control valve arrangement for controlling a start coupling of an automatic gearbox comprising a clutch control valve (3, 37, 41, 48, 49) for controlling at least one clutch actuating device (4, 40) which, during normal operation of the gearbox, converts a supply pressure input (P_V1, P_V2) into a clutch actuation pressure (P_K, P_K1, P_K2) according to a pre-control pressure or an electric pre-control signal in order to control the clutch actuation device. An activating pressure (P_A) can be supplied to the clutch control valve or directly to the clutch activation device in the event of a discontinuation of the pre-control pressure or pre-control signal according to the engine and gearbox output speed, whereupon the clutch actuation device is maintained in a closed position as long as the above mentioned speed remains above a predetermined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Georg Gierer, Thilo Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20100113221
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods of driving and controlling pneumatic and hydraulic devices and, more particularly, to a system and method of driving a hydraulic pump via one output shaft of a motor, and driving a pneumatic compressor via another output shaft of the motor via a clutch. When a user control is engaged, a control system causes the motor to operate at a higher speed, driving the hydraulic pump faster to produce additional hydraulic pressure. When a low air pressure condition is sensed in the pneumatic system, the control system causes the motor to operate at the higher speed and engages the clutch, allowing the pneumatic compressor to supply additional air pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: CAPACITY OF TEXAS, INC.
    Inventor: Colin Roberts
  • Patent number: 7708127
    Abstract: Accordingly, a control system for controlling a viscous clutch of a fan is provided. The control system includes a delta speed module that determines one of an over speed condition, an under speed condition, and a steady state condition based on a desired fan speed and an actual fan speed. A mode module determines a mode of the clutch based on the one of the over-speed condition, the under-speed condition, and the steady state condition, wherein the mode is one of a pump in mode, a pump out mode, and a closed loop mode. A valve control module that controls an operational state of the clutch valve based on the mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Turley, James A. Lasecki, Timothy P. Worthley, Michael J. Melaragni, Jeffrey A. Bozeman
  • Publication number: 20100105523
    Abstract: A method for controlling a transmission input clutch during a vehicle launch includes determining a desired clutch torque, a desired engine torque, a desired vehicle acceleration and a desired engine speed, determining a change in clutch torque and a change in engine torque with reference to the first and second errors and current operating conditions, applying to the clutch an updated clutch torque capacity whose magnitude is the sum of the desired clutch torque and the change in engine torque, and producing an updated engine torque whose magnitude is the sum of the desired engine torque and the change in engine torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Davor D. Hrovat, Michael G. Fodor, Hong Jiang, Ian Oldknow, Jahan Asgari
  • Patent number: 7706950
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission 18 changes a speed-change ratio ? so that an actual rotation speed NIN of an input shaft 36 coincides with a target rotation speed NIN* set based on a target output P*. A target output calculating portion 156 calculates a first target drive force related value P1* based on both an acceleration required amount Acc and a load of an auxiliary machine AUX, calculates a second target drive force related value P2* based on the acceleration required amount without considering the auxiliary machine load, and sets the second drive force related value as the drive force related value P* upon a vehicle regular running. Even when the auxiliary machine load fluctuates in the vehicle regular running the target output does not fluctuate, and prevention of fluctuation of the target output rotation speed increases the drivability in the vehicle regular running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Hino, Takashi Yumoto, Naoya Inoue
  • Patent number: 7706949
    Abstract: A method and system for executing a shift from a first fixed gear to a second fixed gear in a powertrain system comprising a two-mode, compound-split, electro-mechanical transmission operative to receive a speed input from an engine is described. It includes deactivating an off-going clutch, and generating a time-based profile for rotational speed of an oncoming clutch. The input speed is controlled based upon the rotational speed of the oncoming clutch and an output of the transmission. The oncoming clutch is actuated, preferably when the input speed is synchronized with a rotational speed of an output shaft of the transmission multiplied by a gear ratio of the second fixed gear, preferably after a predetermined elapsed period of time in the range of 500 milliseconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jy-Jen F. Sah, Anthony H. Heap
  • Patent number: 7693636
    Abstract: A drive control system for an automotive vehicle includes an engine, an automatic transmission, a torque converter, a start clutch, an oil pump, a hydraulic pressure control unit, an engine control unit, an automatic engine stop/restart control unit and a torque transmission control unit configured to calculate target start clutch engagement time and torque based on an accelerator opening of the vehicle, calculate a target engine torque based on the target clutch engagement torque and cause the hydraulic control unit and the engine control unit to control the engagement state of the start clutch and the output torque of the engine according to the target clutch engagement time and torque and the target engine torque at a restart of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Katou, Kenji Nakashima
  • Patent number: 7678019
    Abstract: An ECT_ECU executes a program including the step of prohibiting a lockup clutch from engaging if the lockup clutch is disengaged and a number of revolutions or speed NE of an input shaft of a torque converter minus a number of revolutions or speed NT of an output shaft of the torque converter is smaller than a threshold value ?N (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Inoue, Tadashi Tamura, Hiroji Taniguchi
  • Publication number: 20100041515
    Abstract: In an automatic clutch control apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention, with respect to a pressure-disengaged type of automatic clutch (2), when an working oil temperature increase has occurred in a state in which a clutch master cylinder (210) is not in communication with a reservoir tank (214), a clutch stroke position is changed in a clutch engaging direction such that the number of engine revolutions matches the number of engine revolutions at the point in time when the clutch master cylinder (210) and the reservoir tank (214) became not in communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tadanao Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 7658261
    Abstract: In a method for operating a drive train for a motor vehicle, a torque is produced by means of an internal combustion engine as a function of an available torque set value signal and transmitted to drive wheels by means of a clutch. With the help of an electric motor, a closing force is applied, with which the clutch is held in a closed position against a restoring force. The electric motor is energized in such a way that a high current is used in the case of a high torque and a lower current is used in the case of a lower torque. The thermal load of the electric motor is determined and a load signal corresponding to the thermal load is produced. The load signal is compared with a load limit signal assigned to a permissible load range. If the load signal deviates from the load-limit signal, the torque of the internal combustion engine is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventor: Thomas Pfund
  • Patent number: 7632215
    Abstract: An automatic transmission for a vehicle includes a main box controlled using a series of clutches, and an underdrive assembly controlled using a series of clutches and at least one overrunning clutch. In achieving a double-swap downshift from a first transmission “gear” employing a first main box clutch and a first underdrive assembly clutch, to a second transmission “gear” employing a second main box clutch and a second underdrive assembly clutch, a controller delays release of the first main box clutch until after the second underdrive assembly clutch has been prefilled, and fully applies the second underdrive assembly clutch only after slip has been detected in both the main box and the underdrive assembly. Additionally, the controller fully applies the second main box clutch only after the second underdrive assembly clutch has itself been fully applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Hussein Dourra, Javed A. Dada, Teddy Siy, Ali Mourtada
  • Patent number: 7632214
    Abstract: A controlling method and system for a damper clutch of an automatic transmission control a damper clutch release condition according to a direct connection status of a damper clutch. The controlling method includes: determining whether the damper clutch is in a direct connection status in a power-on state or a direct connection status in a power-off state; detecting information of a vehicle if the damper clutch is in the direct connection status of the power-on or power-off state; determining whether a release condition of the damper clutch is satisfied; and releasing the damper clutch if the release condition of the damper clutch is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Min Gyu Jung
  • Publication number: 20090260908
    Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle includes an engine, an air intake pipe, a throttle valve being controlled in accordance with an operation amount of an accelerator grip, an engine rotating speed detector or a vehicle speed detector, and an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU increases the opening degree of the throttle valve or maintains the opening degree at a constant value until the engine rotating speed reaches a set rotating speed which is smaller than a prescribed rotating speed, but if the engine rotating speed exceeds the set rotating speed, the ECU reduces the opening degree of the throttle valve irrespective of operation of the accelerator grip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Yoshitomi Nakagawa, Akira Hiratsuka, Yuuichirou Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20090264253
    Abstract: A clutch control system is interposed between an engine and a piece of driven equipment. The clutch control system includes a clutch assembly with input and output speed sensors for providing signals corresponding to the shaft rotational speeds of the engine and the driven equipment, respectively. A pressure sensor is connected to the clutch assembly and provides an output signal corresponding to clutch pressure. A temperature sensor is also associated with the clutch assembly and provides a temperature signal corresponding to the operating temperature of the clutch assembly. Transducers of various types are also employed to sense operating conditions such as shock loads or the like. Also included is a machine control system connected to the driven equipment and an engine control module connected to the engine, both of which are interconnected through an SAE J1939 CAN to the clutch control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Robert E. Herchick, David C. Heidenrcich, Erik L. Olson, Joseph W. Guinter, David A. Peterman, Arthur F. Gouker, Timothy A. Clapp
  • Patent number: 7602594
    Abstract: To provide a motor control apparatus, including a rotational number detecting means for detecting the rotational number of a motor; a current detecting means for detecting a motor current; a voltage detecting means for detecting an impressed voltage to be supplied to a motor; a temperature estimating means for obtaining a motor temperature from the rotational number of a motor, the motor current, and the impressed voltage; and a protection signal generating means for generating an operational signal in order to protect the motor when the obtained motor temperature exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Yukitake
  • Patent number: 7593799
    Abstract: A torque transfer device in a motor vehicle, used for variable transfer of torque from a first shaft associated with a first wheel pair to a second shaft associated with a second wheel pair. A coupling unit facilitates variable torque-transferring coupling of the first and second shaft. The coupling unit has a first coupling element rotationally connected to the first shaft and a second coupling element connected to the second shaft. The elements cooperate with each other or are capable of cooperating with each other in order to transfer torque. A controllable adjusting device adjusts a strength of the interaction between the coupling elements by adjusting a relative position and/or a mechanical contact pressure. A control device controls the adjustment. The control device includes a data processing unit for calculating a first control signal on the basis of a plurality of input signals according to predefined rules and for controlling the adjusting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Volker Pichmann
  • Publication number: 20090227421
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to suppress the generation of abnormal noise from a transmission system that occurs when a vehicle is turning. A front wheel output shaft is directly linked with the transmission system, and a rear wheel output shaft is linked to the transmission system via a transfer clutch. When the front wheel output shaft rpm Nf and the rear wheel output shaft rpm Nr separate from each other beyond a specified value (?2) while turning a corner, and then the accelerator pedal is released and the engine rpm Ne and turbine rpm Nt approach each other beyond a specified value (?2), and then if vibration at a specified vibration frequency appears in the front wheel output shaft rpm Nf (?2), the duty ratio Rd of the clutch pressure control valve 52 is decreased (?2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomohiro SAITO
  • Patent number: 7575083
    Abstract: In order to reduce the influences of engine heat and vibration on a shift actuator, a shift actuator is disposed apart from the engine and the transmission on a vehicle. In particular a straddle-type vehicle, the vehicle includes a head pipe and a body frame including a main frame that extends rearward from the head pipe. The engine is suspended by the body frame 2 and a transmission is disposed next to the engine. The transmission includes a shift mechanism having a multiple-step speed change gear and a clutch mechanism that interrupts the transmission of rotation at the switching of the speed change gear of the transmission 40. An automatic transmission control unit operates the clutch mechanism and switches the speed change gear of the transmission automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Kosugi, Sadamu Iwanaga, Takuji Murayama, Kimio Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20090173175
    Abstract: The invention concerns a gearbox comprising two primary shafts (2, 4), each connected to a clutch (C1, C2) coupled to an engine, and at least one secondary shaft (10), each primary shaft (2, 4) capable of being rotatably coupled with a secondary shaft (10), by the engagement of two ratios which in direct use constitute two gears of the gearbox. The invention is characterized in that the primary shafts can be rotatably linked with each other along a common rotational direction, through the engagement of two transfer links (T1, T2) arranged on the auxiliary shaft (30), each being implemented by the engagement of a single synchronizing sleeve (16, 22), the first transfer link (T1) providing from the rotation of the first primary shaft (2) a reduced speed of the second primary shaft (4), the second transfer link (T2) providing a greater reduction of the speed of the second primary shaft (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventor: Pascal Thery
  • Publication number: 20090137364
    Abstract: A vehicle shift control apparatus is basically provided with an engine, a drive wheel, a transmission and a controller. The transmission is operatively disposed between the engine and the drive wheel for shifting gears by executing a clutch switch operation so as to change a drive transmission path of the transmission. The controller is operatively to the transmission to control a gear shifting of the transmission. The controller includes an engine speed suppressing section that is configured to execute an engine speed suppression control when a driver performs an accelerator operation during the clutch switch operation associated with downshifting while coasting. The engine speed suppression control is further configured to reduce a torque capacity decrease rate of a clutch being released in comparison with a torque capacity decrease rate that would occur if shifting was taking place during normal coasting in which the accelerator operation is not performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoaki HONMA
  • Publication number: 20090137365
    Abstract: A method of controlling a clutch in a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle adapted to perform this method are suggested, in particular resulting in a good starting phase action for supercharged diesel motors. The method comprises the method steps of: setting a clutch torque that is transmitted by a clutch by a plurality of clutch characteristics; determining by a respective clutch characteristic the clutch torque for a particular motor load depending on the rotational speed of the motor; dividing the clutch characteristics into a low speed range and into a full load range; increasing within the low speed range at a constant rotational speed of the motor the transmitted clutch torque with increasing the motor load; and transmitting in the full load range in comparison to the low speed range lower clutch torques at the same rotational speed of the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Martin Leibbrandt, Harald Schmitz
  • Patent number: 7537545
    Abstract: A method for controlling an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, namely for controlling a static disengagement function, such that if the motor vehicle's speed is lower than a limiting speed value and if, at the same time, at least one further initiation criterion is fulfilled, static disengagement is implemented. As a further initiation criterion, it is checked whether a characteristic parameter of a hydrodynamical starting element, in particular a torque converter, is below a limiting value of the characteristic parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Schiele, Christian Popp
  • Patent number: 7524268
    Abstract: A load determining section of a drive control apparatus for forklift determines a load state related to a loading attachment. In a case where a connection determining section determines switching to a connection state, if the load state determined by the load determining section requires that driving of a vehicle body be limited, a disconnection control section forcibly disconnects a transmission of a driving force to a drive wheel. Thus, the forklift is prevented from being started in a state that is likely to make the driving of the forklift unstable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Hidenori Oka, Tadashi Yamada, Toshikazu Kamiya, Masayuki Takahashi, Kimihide Hasegawa, Hirokazu Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20090088298
    Abstract: A grip force of a driving wheel is maintained by identifying an actual condition of a motorcycle and controlling a clutch in a timely manner. A clutch control system includes a clutch, an actuator unit causing the clutch to engage or disengage, a rear wheel speed sensor, a front wheel speed sensor, a clutch lever sensor and a controller controlling a control motor based on a rear wheel speed and a front wheel speed. When the rear wheel speed is lower than the front wheel speed and an absolute value of a difference between the rear wheel speed and the front wheel speed is greater than a threshold value, the control motor is driven so as to reduce a transmission force of the clutch. When an operational amount of the clutch lever is greater than a threshold value, processing to reduce the transmission force of the clutch is suspended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Kanau IWASHITA, Akihiko Tomoda
  • Patent number: 7488271
    Abstract: A control method of a magnet type fan clutch is provided to improve engine performance, fuel economy, engine life, and vehicle acceleration and to reduce fan noise, and optimize fan horsepower. The magnet type fan clutch has a magnet coupling combined with an electromagnetic clutch. The method includes turning the electromagnetic clutch ON and OFF on the basis of cooling fluid temperature, engine oil temperature, transmission oil temperature, vehicle speed, engine rotation rate, accelerator opening, compressor pressure of an air conditioner, an On or Off signal of the air condition, a fuel injection indication amount, a clutch activation lower limit temperature and its lower temperature, and an engine rotation rate set value to control the fan rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kaisha Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Inoue, Ken Shiozaki
  • Patent number: 7488272
    Abstract: A method actuates two clutches which transmit torque in parallel in a drive train of a motor vehicle and have different successive fixed speed transmissions as gear stages between a drive shaft and an output shaft. The clutches are triggered during acceleration processes of the motor vehicle that both clutches simultaneously transmit torques and a resulting transmission of torque takes place continuously between the drive shaft and the output shaft. The rotational speed of the drive shaft is greater than the respective rotational speed of the respective transmission input shaft of the respective partial train at the secondary end of the respective clutch during the entire starting process, or the rotational speed of the drive shaft is greater than or the same as the respective rotational speed of the respective transmission input shaft of the respective partial train at the secondary end of the respective clutch during an acceleration process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Edgar Bothe, Andreas Schwenger, Wolfgang Schreiber
  • Patent number: 7470215
    Abstract: A drivetrain including a primary clutch and a secondary clutch is well-suited for use in a single-speed vehicle. The primary clutch may be automatically-engaging or manually-engaging. The secondary clutch, preferably, is normally engaged and is configured to disengage, or slip, at a threshold torque level. Desirably, the slip torque level of the secondary clutch is configured to be greater than the peak engine torque of the vehicle such that disengagement of the secondary clutch due to engine-supplied torque does not occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Cobra Motorcycle Mfg., Inc.
    Inventors: Bud Maimone, Alexis Uspenski
  • Publication number: 20080312038
    Abstract: A shift control device and a shift control method for a vehicle for reducing shift shock by taking into account the difference in vehicle speeds before and after shifting. In one of the main inventions, the clutch pressure of another clutch (forward clutch) is controlled to match a target vehicle speed to a calculated actual vehicle speed by the time of start of the connecting operation of a selected speed stage clutch. Since such control is performed so that the vehicle speed is caused to match the target vehicle speed, an actual vehicle speed change rate is held within a predetermined range in at least the instant that the connecting operation of the selected speed stage clutch is started. Also, in another one of the main inventions, as shown in FIG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: Komatsu Ltd
    Inventors: Tomohiro Nakagawa, Shigeru Yamamoto, Shunji Oka, Toshikazu Okada
  • Publication number: 20080305930
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an engine stall prevention system for industrial vehicles. The engine stall prevention system includes a transmission, which is configured such that a hydraulic shuttle valve for performing forward and reverse switching without requiring the operation of a clutch pedal, and a control unit for controlling the shuttle valve. The control unit receives a brake pedal operation signal from a brake detection unit for detecting the operation of a brake pedal, detects the traveling state of a vehicle using a traveling detection unit, determines whether the speed and engine RPM of the vehicle are equal to or less than respective preset values, and performs automatic control such that the shuttle valve enters a neutral state or a half-clutch state if it is determined that the vehicle speed is greater than the corresponding preset value and the engine RPM is equal to or less than the corresponding preset value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: DAEDONG INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD
    Inventor: Byung Woo GAM
  • Publication number: 20080288149
    Abstract: A method of regulating the driving dynamics of a vehicle by controlling a torque distribution from a vehicle engine between at least two axles of the vehicle is disclosed. The method comprises controlling the torque distribution with a nominal velocity difference between the different axles as an input value. According to an embodiment, the sign of the velocity difference between both outgoing shafts from the double coupling device is used to determine a control state of the double coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: Edo Drenth
  • Publication number: 20080287260
    Abstract: An actuator including a motor, clutch, gear train, solenoid, clock spring, and air brake is provided. The motor is configured to drive a control valve. The clutch is operably coupled to the motor and configured to prevent the motor from transferring more than a predetermined amount of torque. The gear train is operably coupled to the clutch and configured to receive the predetermined amount of torque from the motor. The solenoid is operably coupled to the gear train and configured to disengage one of the gears in the gear train from adjacent gears. The clock spring is operably coupled to another of the gears in the gear train, configured to store mechanical energy supplied by the motor, and configured to drive the control valve. The air brake is operably coupled to the gear train and configured to dissipate a portion of the mechanical energy released by the clock spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: TAC, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald R. Parsons, Eugene R. Jornod
  • Publication number: 20080280729
    Abstract: A vehicle according to the present invention includes a first detecting means for detecting an engine speed, a second detecting means for detecting a rotational speed of a rotating member, an engine speed changing means for changing the engine speed, and a control unit. The control unit is electrically connected to the first detecting means, the second detecting means, and the engine speed changing means and controls the engine speed changing means such that when the rotational speed of the rotating member detected by the second detecting means is lower than a set rotational speed previously set in a range from zero to a rotational speed of the rotating member during rotation of the engine in a range between a speed more than an idle rotational speed and a speed less than a predetermined maximum limit rotational speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Akio Miguchi
  • Publication number: 20080242502
    Abstract: An overspeed system for a vehicle is disclosed. The overspeed system may have a power source, a transmission unit, and a torque converter assembly operatively coupling the power source to the transmission unit. The overspeed system may also have a travel speed sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a vehicle speed, and a controller in communication with the torque converter assembly and the travel speed sensor. The controller may be configured to prevent a decoupling of the torque converter assembly in response to the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Hong-Chin Lin
  • Patent number: 7429232
    Abstract: A method for controlling a drive train of a motor vehicle, to a method for controlling a clutch device, and to a drive train of a motor vehicle, the drive train being operated in a normal load operation, in which the internal combustion engine moves the motor vehicle against the resistances opposing the movement of a motor vehicle, the play in the load direction pre-determined by the rotary direction of the motor output shaft being closed. The drive train (40) operating outside normal load operation is operated under pre-determined conditions in a second operating mode in which a first load is introduced into a drive train section, causing the play at the drive-end of the load introduction point to be closed or to remain closed, the first load being such that it would not be sufficient to overcome the resistances opposing the movement of the motor vehicle in the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventor: Klaus Kuepper