Slip Rate Control Patents (Class 477/176)
-
Patent number: 6652415Abstract: A pre-compensator equipped slip control system for a lock-up torque converter employing a lock-up clutch, includes a slip-rotation control section that begins to calculate a compensated target slip rotation from a time when an actual slip rotation between input and output elements of the torque converter becomes less than a predetermined slip-rotation threshold value after shifting from a torque-converter action area to a slip-control area, so that the actual slip rotation is brought closer to the compensated target slip rotation. Also provided is a feedforward control section that determines a lock-up clutch engagement pressure by way of feedforward control during a period of time from a time when the torque converter is shifted from the torque-converter action area to the slip-control area to the time when the actual slip rotation becomes less than the predetermined slip-rotation threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2001Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Satoshi Segawa, Kazutaka Adachi
-
Patent number: 6640951Abstract: A clutch actuation system includes an actuator drive for actuating the clutch, and a position control circuit having a controller determining a position of the clutch and to which a position setpoint value is fed and a measurement signal, representing the position, of a sensor is fed as an actual value. A filter that filters interference oscillations out of the position signal is inserted into the position control circuit. The stop band of the filter depends adaptively on the rotational speed of the drive engine of the motor vehicle, in particular, the stop band corresponds to the speed.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2002Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Joachim Bamberger, Joachim Horn, Peter Michau
-
Patent number: 6637566Abstract: An initial command oil pressure of a lock-up control of coasting lock-up region is set by using a lock-up learning correction amount calculated by a learning control in a lockup control of the other of the plurality of lock-up regions such as slip lock-up region and complete lock-up region when one of the lock-up control of these other lock-up regions is performed before the lock-up control of the coasting lock-up region. Thus, a lock-up learning correction amount can be commonly used among three kinds of lock-up regions, and a lock-up as set is early realized in each lock-up region.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Jacto LtdInventors: Kazuhiro Takatori, Osamu Sato, Tatsuya Imamura, Yasushi Fujita, Kazuhito Sano, Kazuo Tomioka
-
Publication number: 20030148852Abstract: A first characteristic operating value, for example the amount of transmissible clutch torque, in a motor vehicle power train with an engine is controlled by using at least a second characteristic value. The second characteristic value is subject to adaptation, if necessary, during an operating phase of the motor vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2002Publication date: August 7, 2003Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Oliver Amendt, Peter Buhrle, Mario Jung, Jurgen Gerhart, Johannes Moosheimer
-
Patent number: 6602166Abstract: A device for limiting slip of a torque converter at its high temperature condition performs a slip limiting control by reducing slip rotation between an input element and an output element of the torque converter in a low-load operation region of an engine is carried out, or a lockup control for eliminating the slip rotation. The region of the slip control is expanded to a high-load operation region of the engine, when the temperature of torque converter hydraulic oil is not lower than a predetermined temperature.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2002Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Assignee: Jatco LtdInventors: Hirofumi Michioka, Toshiya Mori
-
Publication number: 20030125161Abstract: In order to control slip amount of a disengagement side engagement device at the time of a gear shift operation, a target value Nr for rotational speed of an input shaft of an automatic transmission is calculated inside an input shaft speed target value calculating block. Slip control of the disengagement side engagement device is then carried out by controlling engine torque using an engine torque control amount obtained from a engine torque control amount estimation block and the clutch slip amount compensation value calculating section to cause rotation speed Nt of the input shaft to follow the target value Nr. In this way, responsiveness and precision of slip control of the disengagement side engagement device at the time of gear shift operation are improved, and it is possible to improve gear shift shock and to carry out a gear shift operation in a short period of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takaaki Tokura, Katsumi Kono, Norimi Asahara, Masataka Osawa, Hiroyuki Nishizawa, Ryoichi Hibino
-
Patent number: 6554737Abstract: Within the scope of the method for controlling the engine rotational speed via the torque converter lock-up clutch during the starting and stopping phases of a motor vehicle having a continuously variable transmission combined with other elements of the drive train, the closing and opening of the torque converter lock-up clutch are used as implicit function so as to ensure optimum comfort via the most asymptotic adjustment possible of the rotational speeds gradients of engine and turbine during starting and by a soft, defined separation of the speed characteristic curves of the engine and turbine during stopping. When the vehicle is standing still the forward clutch is moved into standstill disengaged mode so that the torque converter lock-up clutch can be fully closed.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: ZF Batavia L.L.C.Inventors: Ralf Vorndran, Wolfgang Danz, Andreas Piepenbrink, Andreas Schwenger
-
Patent number: 6539820Abstract: A control system/method controls a vehicular automated transmission system so as to overcome a tooth butt condition. The automated transmission system including an internal combustion engine having an engine output member, a multiple speed change gear transmission having an input shaft, a centrifugal friction clutch for drivingly connecting said engine output member to said input shaft, a throttle responsive to manually requesting of a degree of engine fueling, and a system controller. The system controller varies the engine speed to encourage gear engagement upon sensing the tooth butt condition.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2002Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: Ronald K. Markyvech
-
Publication number: 20030045400Abstract: When a deceleration slip executing minimum gear stage is not established in a state of continuously executing a deceleration slip control at a target slip amount, it is judged whether or not an input shaft rotational speed of a transmission becomes a down shift judging rotational speed. When it becomes equal to or less than a predetermined down shift judging rotational speed, a down shift is executed, and a clutch pressure is controlled such that an engine rotational speed becomes a target engine rotational speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2002Publication date: March 6, 2003Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takuya Ito, Hiroaki Takeuchi
-
Publication number: 20020175036Abstract: An initial command oil pressure of a lock-up control of coasting lock-up region is set by using a lock-up learning correction amount calculated by a learning control in a lockup control of the other of the plurality of lock-up regions such as slip lock-up region and complete lock-up region when one of the lock-up control of these other lock-up regions is performed before the lock-up control of the coasting lock-up region. Thus, a lock-up learning correction amount can be commonly used among three kinds of lock-up regions, and a lock-up as set is early realized in each lock-up region.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: Kazuhiro Takatori, Osamu Sato, Tatsuya Imamura, Yasushi Fujita, Kazuhito Sano, Kazuo Tomioka
-
Patent number: 6482126Abstract: A control unit controls a lockup duty ratio to be maintained at a first duty ratio, which is the minimum value within such a range as not to slip a lockup clutch, during a period of time since a decision is made to perform a shifting operation until an actual shifting operation is started. The control unit then lowers the lockup duty ratio to a corrected (learned) second duty ratio and gradually lowers the lockup duty ratio from the second duty ratio at a predetermined rate of change so that a slip revolutionary speed can be equal to a target slip revolutionary speed when the shifting operation is finished. Alternatively, the control unit corrects the rate of change while maintaining the second duty ratio at a uniform value so that the slip revolutionary speed can be equal to the target slip revolutionary speed when the shifting operation is finished.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2001Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: Jatco Transtechnology Ltd.Inventor: Takateru Kawaguchi
-
Patent number: 6463821Abstract: A method of controlling a dual clutch transmission of a motor vehicle, wherein the first clutch acts to transmit torque to the first driven gear, and the second clutch acts to transmit torque to the second driven gear. The steps involved in controlling the transmission include determining a predetermined first clutch slip value based on the perceived vehicle loading, initiating launch of the motor vehicle with both the first and the second clutch partially engaged, determining the vehicle inertia value based on the summation of instantaneous vehicle inertia values during vehicle launch, and controlling either the first or the second clutch to disengage when the predetermined first clutch slip value is reached.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2001Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: DaimlerChrysler CorporationInventors: Richard G. Reed, Jr., Jeffrey P Cherry
-
Patent number: 6449550Abstract: Within the scope of the method for motor reduction while closing the lock-up clutch for automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, the starting value of the motor reduction is brought up via an adjustable ramp within the time period elapsed while laying on the disks of the lock-up bridge clutch, the motor reduction being adjustable with reference to a characteristic field.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2000Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Otto Lutz, Franz Sorg, Peter Muschel, Roland Leibinger
-
Publication number: 20020123410Abstract: An automatic clutch control method and system includes steps for controlling a vehicle master clutch to prevent the clutch from destructively overheating due to excessive slipping. A heat buildup value is determined from various engine operating parameters, such as output torque, engine speed, and input shaft speed. The heat buildup value can be increased or decreased depending on the various engine operating parameters. A signal generating device is responsive to the heat buildup value exceeding a first predetermined heat buildup limit to generate a clutch protection output signal effective to cause the clutch to be operated in an aggressive mode of operation to fully engage the clutch at a faster rate. The signal generating device is also response to the heat build value exceeding a second predetermined heat buildup limit and slow vehicle speed to generate a clutch protection output signal effective to cause the clutch to be operated in a fully disengaged mode of operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2001Publication date: September 5, 2002Applicant: Eaton CorporationInventor: Jon A. Steeby
-
Patent number: 6445992Abstract: A control for a vehicle drive line system (10) including an automated vehicle dry master clutch (14) drivingly interposed in between a fuel-controlled engine (12) and the input shaft (20) of a mechanical transmission.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2001Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Robert Stanley Wheeler, Alfred John Richardson
-
Publication number: 20020077218Abstract: A controller of a slip control system of a torque converter with a lock-up clutch is configured to carry out calculating a target slip rotation speed of the converter based on a vehicle speed and an open degree of a throttle valve; calculating a running condition of the vehicle, which includes drive and coast conditions, based on the operation condition of the throttle valve; calculating a torque converter characteristic with reference to a speed of a turbine of the converter and the running condition of the vehicle; calculating a target converter torque based on the torque converter characteristic; calculating a target lock-up clutch engaging torque based on the target converter torque and an engine torque; and outputting an instruction signal to an actuator to provide the lock-up clutch with the target lock-up clutch engaging torque. The torque converter characteristic is represented by two groups of maps, one being for the drive running condition and other being for the coast running condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2001Publication date: June 20, 2002Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Satoshi Segawa, Kazutaka Adachi
-
Patent number: 6390950Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling an automatic transmission which is provided with a torque converter having a fluid coupling unit for coupling driving force to a transmission through fluid coupling and a direct coupling unit for coupling the driving force to the transmission through mechanical coupling and being operative to take a fluid coupling state, a direct coupling state or an intermediate state between the fluid and direct coupling states in accordance with a working pressure applied to the direct coupling unit, a control signal is generated for changing the initial value of the working pressure in accordance with the driving force during the period of transition between the fluid coupling state and the direct coupling state.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2001Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junichi Noda, Hiroshi Kuroiwa
-
Patent number: 6393383Abstract: A characteristics change of a control object is functionally represented by a parameter &thgr; which varies between values of 0 and 1 as the gain of the control object is surveyed. The frequency of the identification signal is set at a frequency where the difference in gains becomes large. The amplitude of the identification signal is set so that the variation width of the output of the control object is less than or equal to a predetermined value. Because the identification accuracy improves where the input/output characteristics with respect to the parameter are more sensitive, the identification signal set by such a setting apparatus imparts high identification accuracy. Moreover, because the amplitude of the identification signal is set based on the variation width of the output of the control object, identification can be performed without significantly affecting the output of the control object.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2000Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushi KaishaInventors: Ryoichi Hibino, Masataka Osawa, Eiichi Ono, Shu Asami, Toshinari Suzuki, Katsumi Kono, Tomohiro Asami
-
Publication number: 20020058565Abstract: A control device for front and rear wheel drive vehicles, in which one of front and rear wheel pairs is driven with an engine and the other one of front and rear wheel pairs is driven with an electrical motor, and a torque converter with a lock-up mechanism capable of controlling the engagement amount is disposed between the engine and the one of wheel pairs, the control device comprising: a lock-up control means 68 and 69 for controlling the lock-up mechanism in such a manner that the engagement amount is changed to the target slip amount to be set in accordance with driving conditions of the front and rear wheel drive vehicle; a motor drive power setting means 61, 62 and 63 which sets the drive power of the motor; a compensation means (a target slip ratio setting unit) 67 which compensates the target slip amount according to the motor drive power set by the motor drive power setting means.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2001Publication date: May 16, 2002Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akihiro Yamamoto, Takahiro Yonekura, Tomohiro Nishi, Tetsu Sugiyama, Yusuke Tatara
-
Patent number: 6364809Abstract: An electro-mechanical clutch actuator system is provided for a transmission having dual input shafts with respective clutches and with a plurality of drive gears rotatably mounted to each input shaft and having synchronizer mechanisms for engaging each drive gear to one of the input shafts. The clutch actuators include an electric motor and a reduction gear assembly for moving a pawl tweeter arm and is assisted by an assist spring. The movement of the pawl tweeter arm transmits torque through a pivot arm which in turn, act to engage or disengage its corresponding clutch. An upshift clutch control algorithm is provided to facilitate shifting to a higher gear, which monitors and regulates movement of the clutch actuator motors.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2000Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: DaimlerChrysler CorporationInventor: Jeffrey P Cherry
-
Patent number: 6358186Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling a torque transmitting system and the torque transmittable by the torque transmitting system in a power train of a vehicle with a transmission and an engine, and with at least one actuator controllable by a control unit, such as an actuating unit, for operating the torque transmitting system. This is accomplished in that, in at least one operating state, such as starting or acceleration state, the control unit shifts between at least two operating states of the torque transmitting system in which the system transmitting different torques, so that a different, such as a higher or a lower, torque can be selected and transmitted in the respective operating states for providing a different, such as a higher or a lower, torque to power the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1997Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: LuK Getriebe Systeme GmbHInventors: Franz Kosik, Thomas Grass, Klaus Henneberger, Michael Reuschel
-
Patent number: 6360156Abstract: A method is provided for determining an acceptable torque level to be applied to at least one clutch pack (of an automobile) which includes the requirement of internal slip to transmit torque. The automobile includes a plurality of wheels. A velocity is sensed at each of the plurality of wheels of the automobile. A speed information value is calculated. The speed information value is a function of the sensed velocities at each of the plurality of wheels. The speed information value is then compared with a calibration table. Finally, the acceptable torque level is determined primarily from the calibration table based on the speed information value.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2000Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: David Morganroth, Marek L. Wilmanowicz
-
Publication number: 20020006849Abstract: A gear-mesh type automatic transmission system capable of controlling clutch coupling speed so as to mitigate shock likely to occur upon changeover of speed stage regardless of not only time-dependent deterioration of an electromagnetic clutch but also dispersion among individual clutches. The gear-mesh type automatic transmission system includes an electromagnetic clutch (2) for effectuating transmission and interruption of output power from an output shaft (21) of an engine (1) to an input shaft (22) of a gear-mesh type transmission (3), a shift/select actuator (5) for shifting a speed change gear to a shift/select position in the gear-mesh type transmission (3), a shift/select position sensor (6) for detecting a shift/select position of the speed change gear, and a control unit (4) for driving the shift/select actuator (5) in accordance with a shift lever position selected by a driver, to thereby change over automatically the gear-mesh type transmission (3) to a target speed stage.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2001Publication date: January 17, 2002Inventor: Shoichi Miyamoto
-
Patent number: 6319173Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the operation of a clutch in a partially or fully automated mechanical transmission which is responsive to the actual load on the vehicle engine for varying the engagement rate of release bearing during re-engagement of the clutch. The apparatus includes an electronic controller which initially sets a desired speed for the vehicle engine during the shifting process, determines a rate of engagement movement of a release bearing of the clutch, and actuates appropriate valves to initiate the gradual engagement of the clutch. The electronic controller sets a first lower engine speed threshold and a second lower engine speed threshold. In a first embodiment, the magnitude of the first lower engine speed threshold varies with the actual load on the engine. If the actual speed of the engine remains above both the first lower engine speed threshold and the second lower engine speed threshold, the engagement process is continued without interruption.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1997Date of Patent: November 20, 2001Assignee: Transmisiones TSP, S.A. de C.V.Inventors: Anand C. Patel, Peter T. Szymanski, James A. Wheeler
-
Patent number: 6317671Abstract: A control apparatus for an automatic transmission capable of sufficiently producing the effect of neutral control by reducing a period of time from stop of a vehicle to the release of an input clutch. Vehicle stop prediction means for predicting immediate stop of the vehicle from a vehicle speed detected by a vehicle speed sensor is provided. Input clutch control means for reducing a hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic servo of the input clutch from a hydraulic pressure in a normal engagement state to a waiting pressure capable of maintaining an engagement state of the clutch based on the prediction of the stop of the vehicle by the vehicle stop prediction means is provided. The operation of releasing the input clutch concurrent with the neutral control is started from a state of the waiting pressure, so that the input clutch is released in a short period of time.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2000Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: AISIN AW Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Tsutsui, Nobutada Saitou
-
Patent number: 6296593Abstract: A generator (4) is combined with drive wheels (8) of a vehicle, and the output of an engine (2) is transmitted to the drive wheels (8) under an engaging force of an electromagnetic clutch (3) in response to an energizing current. During a predetermined deceleration state, a braking force is applied to the drive wheels (8) and a battery (15) is charged by the generator (4) which performs regenerative power generation. At this time, the controller (16) supplies a weak energizing current to the electromagnetic clutch (3) so as to put the clutch (3) into a partially engaged state. A sensor (29) detects the output rotation speed of the clutch (3). When the output rotation speed of the clutch (3) is high, the controller (16) decreases the energizing current so that the rotational resistance of the electromagnetic clutch (3) is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1999Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yuuji Gotou, Noboru Hattori
-
Patent number: 6283893Abstract: A method of controlling a friction-based torque-transmitting system in the drive train of a motor vehicle has the following steps: a) monitoring the respective rates of rotation of an input element and an output element of the torque-transmitting system, b) establishing and analyzing a correlation between said rates of rotation; and c) initiating a change in the operating mode of the torque-transmitting system if the correlation is found to have changed in excess of a given threshold limit.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1999Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbHInventors: Anton Fritzner, Franz Bitzer
-
Patent number: 6263273Abstract: In a process for control of an automatic transmission (3) in a vehicle, it is proposed to set an electronic transmission control (4) for a driving state low friction value when slip is detected on the input gears of the vehicle or an ACS deceleration is detected. In an ACS deceleration a meter is determined, via an ACS evaluation function, from the actual acceleration of the vehicle or a parameter (e.g., gear speed increase) corresponding to the actual acceleration. When slip occurs, a meter is determined, via a slip evaluation function, from the theoretical/actual comparison of the vehicle acceleration or a parameter (e.g., torque reserve) corresponding to said comparison. In both an ACS deceleration or when a slip occurs, a winter operation mode is then activated when the meter count exceeds a limit value.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1999Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Markus Henneken, Friedemann Jauch, Kai-Uwe Herbster, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz
-
Patent number: 6249726Abstract: An apparatus for responding to failure of a secondary load driven by a primary mover includes at least one sensor sensing a rotational parameter of the secondary load and an electronic control module for (1) disengaging the secondary load from the primary mover and subsequently re-engaging it when the sensed rotational parameter indicates a first range of slip, (2) disengaging the secondary load from the primary mover when the sensed rotational parameter indicates a second range of slip, and (3) deactivating the primary mover when said sensed rotational parameter indicates a third range of slip.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1998Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: Kold Ban International, Ltd.Inventors: James O. Burke, II, Dean R. Solberg
-
Patent number: 6244402Abstract: A power shift transmission (3) for motor vehicles in which instead of a hydrodynamic torque converter a controlled or regulated multiple disc clutch serves to assist starting. The loading of clutch is minimized by a fitted catch which prevents the motor vehicle from rolling in the opposite direction to the direction of travel intended by the gear selection. Catch can take the form of a mechanical catch, as sprag unit, or the form of an electronically adjusted catch which acts on one and/or more transmission brakes and/or clutches and/or into the service brake of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1998Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Hans-Jörg Domian, Ralf Dreibholz, Walter Kuhn
-
Patent number: 6217481Abstract: A slip control system for a torque converter with a lockup clutch comprises a controller that outputs a slip control signal to a slip control actuator of the lockup clutch to adjust an actual slip rotation speed of the torque converter at a target slip rotation speed. The controller is coupled to sensors for detecting information indicative of a condition of a drive system including the torque converter. The controller decides an operating state of the torque converter at time when the slip control is started, and selects one of initial valves for a slip command signal corresponding to the slip control signal according to the decided operating state of the torque converter at the start of the slip control. This arrangement functions to prevent troubles including shocks due to shortage of slippage in the torque converter and generation of radial slippage of the torque convert from generating at a time staring the slip control.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1999Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akira Watanabe, Kazutaka Adachi
-
Patent number: 6152275Abstract: There are disclosed a method of and an apparatus for regulating the operation of a friction clutch or another torque transmission system in the power train of a motor vehicle. The regulation is such that the operator of the vehicle is informed of a prevailing or impending condition which entails or is about to entail damage to the system or to the entire power train. Such situation can arise in response to excessive and/or prolonged slip of abutting friction surfaces in a friction clutch, overheating of one or more parts of the system for any other reason(s), as a result of improper selection of the transmission speed for starting of the vehicle and/or due to excessive wear upon the friction linings and/or other parts. The remedial undertaking can include such regulation of the system that the ride become uncomfortable to the occupant(s) of the vehicle and/or automatic elimination of the cause(s) of unsatisfactory torque transmission.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1998Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Assignee: Luk Getriebe-Systeme GmbHInventors: Robert Fischer, Thomas Jager, Martin Zimmermann
-
Patent number: 6151544Abstract: The control method comprises the stages of: generating a reference torque signal, the instantaneous value of which indicates the desired value of the torque transmitted through the clutch; generating a reaction signal correlated to the position of an actuating member of the clutch, the position of the actuating member being comprised between a first end-of-travel position in which the clutch is completely open and a second end-of-travel position in which the clutch is completely closed; generating an estimated torque signal, the instantaneous value of which indicates the estimated value of the torque transmitted through the clutch, on the basis of the reaction signal and a transmissibility function of the clutch; and generating a control signal for adjusting the position of the clutch as a function of the reference torque signal and the estimated torque signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 1998Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Assignee: Magneti Marelli S.p.A.Inventors: Fabrizio Amisano, Massimo Seminara
-
Patent number: 6139472Abstract: A lockup control system controls a lockup state of the automatic transmission employing a torque converter with a lockup clutch. The lockup control system executes a lockup clutch engagement pressure control for decreasing an engagement differential pressure of the lockup clutch at a predetermined differential pressure for a predetermined time period under a coast lockup state. Further, the lockup control system executes a learning control for obtaining the predetermined differential pressure by adding a differential pressure correction value to a differential pressure learning value by which the torque converter generates a slight slip under the coast lockup state. Therefore, even during the coast lockup state, both of suppressing vibrations by a lowering of a lockup capacity and maintaining a responsibility for re-increasing the differential pressure are ensured.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1999Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chiaki Harada, Satoshi Sakakibara, Akihiro Ueki
-
Patent number: 6132336Abstract: A slip control apparatus for a torque converter with a lockup clutch controls a slip rotation speed between input and output elements of the torque converter so as to be set at a slip rotation speed command value through the control of an engagement condition of the lockup clutch. The slip control apparatus comprises a target converter torque calculating section which calculates a target converter torque for achieving the slip rotation speed command value on the basis of a characteristic of the torque converter. A target engagement capacity calculating section calculates a target engagement capacity of the lockup clutch by subtracting the target converter torque from an output torque of the engine. The lockup clutch engagement force controlling section controls an engagement force of the lockup clutch so as to adjust a lockup clutch engagement capacity of the lockup clutch at the target lockup clutch engagement capacity.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1998Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazutaka Adachi, Touru Urasawa
-
Patent number: 6066072Abstract: A torque transmission efficiency is improved by controlling a relative rotation of an input element and output element of a torque converter. A tightening pressure of a lockup clutch of the torque converter is feedback-controlled based on a deviation between a target relative rotation speed and a real relative rotation speed. The response of the feedback control is suppressed to a low level so that low frequency rotational fluctuations of the engine do not cause rotational fluctuations of the output element. By processing the target relative rotation speed by a filter variable based on vehicle speed and engine load before calculating the deviation, the ability of the real relative rotation speed to track the target relative rotation speed is not impaired.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1998Date of Patent: May 23, 2000Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kazutaka Adachi
-
Patent number: 6059691Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the operation of a clutch in a partially or fully automated mechanical transmission which is responsive to the actual speed of the vehicle engine for varying the engagement rate of release bearing during reengagement of the clutch. The apparatus includes an electronic controller which initially sets a desired speed for the vehicle engine during the shifting process, determines a rate of engagement movement of a release bearing of the clutch, and actuates appropriate valves to initiate the gradual engagement of the clutch. The electronic controller sets a first lower engine speed threshold and a second lower engine speed threshold. The magnitude of the first lower engine speed threshold may vary with the amount of depression of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle. If the actual speed of the engine remains above both the first lower engine speed threshold and the second lower engine speed threshold, the engagement process is continued without interruption.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1997Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: Transmisiones TSP, S.A. de C.V.Inventors: Anthony B. McDonald, Anand C. Patel, Peter T. Szymanski, James A. Wheeler
-
Patent number: 6056667Abstract: An engaging force control system of a fluid coupling is provided with a fluid coupling disposed between an input element connected with an engine and an output member connected with a drive wheel side member and including a lock-up clutch which is selectively engaged with and disengaged from the input and output elements, an engaging force adjusting device for adjusting the engaging force of the lock-up clutch, a throttle opening sensor for sensing a value related to a throttle opening of the engine, a vehicle speed sensor for sensing a value related to a vehicle speed of a vehicle, an engaging force control device for controlling the engaging force adjusting device based on an engaging property which is predetermined based on the values related to the throttle opening and vehicle speed as parameters and the values sensed and, an uphill detecting device for detecting an uphill running condition of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1998Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventor: Kazuo Sasaki
-
Patent number: 6050919Abstract: A control device for an automatic transmission having a hydraulic power transmission with a lock-up clutch includes a device for setting a predetermined pressure that is less than a pressure at which a target value convergence control is started. The predetermined pressure is set as the hydraulic pressure applied to the lock-up clutch by a predetermined pressure setting device for a predetermined time. The predetermined time is a time from a satisfaction of conditions for the slip control start until an input rotation speed is stabilized, as set by a time setting device.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 1998Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.Inventors: Muneo Kusafuka, Kazuhiro Mikami, Kazuomi Okasaka
-
Patent number: 6045484Abstract: The invention concerns an automatic clutch in a motor vehicle drive train. During travel, the clutch is controlled with excess contact pressure such that the transmissible moment of the clutch exceeds the engine torque by a predetermined amount. At low speeds or in low gears and/or when travelling slowly, the amount of excess contact pressure is considerably reduced. At high speeds or in high gears and/or at when travelling fast, the clutch is set at the maximum transmissible moment.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1999Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Assignees: DaimlerChrysler AG, LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbHInventors: Franz Kosik, Thomas Grass, Michael Salecker
-
Patent number: 6041276Abstract: A device for controlling a starting procedure of a motor vehicle for initiating a movement of the motor vehicle includes a controller which receives as input, signals generated by an engine shaft speed sensor, a driving speed sensor, a transmission shaft speed sensor, a transmission output shaft speed sensor, and an accelerator pedal position sensor. The controller is operatively connected to the engine for increasing the engine speed above a minimum threshold value when the driver signals his desire for a racing start. The controller is also operatively connected to a clutch activation device for deliberately producing a slip of the driving wheels and for controlling the slip of the driving wheels by controlling a slip of the clutch after a starting time point signaled by the driver.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1997Date of Patent: March 21, 2000Assignees: Mannesman Sachs AG, BMW AGInventors: Thomas John, Thomas Kuhn, Wolfgang Nehse
-
Patent number: 5997433Abstract: A transmission control system is proposed for reducing thermal load on engaging elements (2, 3, 4, 5) in a gearbox (1) during the starting operation. The gearbox (1) has an input shaft (7) and an output shaft (9) and at least two engaging elements or clutches (2, 3, 4, 5) each of which is allocated to a gear and comprises a first clutch half (21, 31, 41, 51) which transmits the force coming from the direction of the input shaft (7) onto a second clutch half (22, 32, 42, 52) which in turn transmits the force in the direction of the output shaft (9). Transmission elements (11, 12, 13) and shafts (7, 8, 9, 23, 33, 40, 50) are mounted between the input shaft (7) and a first clutch (2, 3) and/or between the first clutch (2, 3) and a second clutch (4, 5) and/or between the second clutch (4, 5) and a further clutch or the output shaft (9).Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Hans-Jorg Domian, Ralf Dreibholz
-
Patent number: 5993350Abstract: A powertrain system for a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle includes a heat engine, such as a diesel engine, and an electric machine, which operates as both an electric motor and an alternator, to power the vehicle. The hybrid vehicle also includes a manual-style transmission configured to operate as an automatic transmission from the perspective of the driver. The engine and the electric machine drive an input shaft which in turn drives an output shaft of the transmission. In addition to driving the transmission, the electric machine regulates the speed of the input shaft in order to synchronize the input shaft during either an upshift or downshift of the transmission by either decreasing or increasing the speed of the input shaft. When decreasing the speed of the input shaft, the electric motor functions as an alternator to produce electrical energy which may be stored by a storage device.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1997Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Inventors: Robert E. Lawrie, Richard G. Reed, Jr., David J. Rausen
-
Patent number: 5989156Abstract: A lock-up clutch slip control system for controlling a lock-up clutch, which is arranged in parallel with a hydraulic power transmission for connecting a prime mover and a speed change unit, selectively into a slip state. It is decided whether or not a slip control of changing the lock-up clutch from a complete apply state to a slip state is to be executed according to the operation of lowering the output of the prime mover. The output of said prime mover is changed to suppress the output fluctuation of the prime mover when it is decided that the slip control of the lock-up clutch is to be executed.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1997Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tooru Matsubara, Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Hideo Tomomatsu, Hiroji Taniguchi, Kazuyuki Shiiba
-
Patent number: 5976055Abstract: In a high-load/low-vehicle velocity range that requires a torque-up effect of a torque converter (4) and shock absorption effect during transmission, the converter range is selected, and a lockup clutch (36) is fully released. On the other hand, in a low-load/high-vehicle velocity range that does not so require a shock absorption effect, the lockup range is selected, and the lockup clutch 36 is fully locked up to improve the mileage of an engine (3). Furthermore, in a low-load/low-vehicle velocity range, the slip range is selected, and the slip control for controlling the slip amount of the lockup clutch (36) to converge to a predetermined target slip amount is done, thus balancing between the torque-up effect, shock absorption effect, and the like, and the mileage, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1998Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventor: Kazuo Sasaki
-
Patent number: 5964675Abstract: A system for controlling gear (gear ratio) shifting in an automatic transmission mounted on a vehicle, including a shift control means for generating a shift command to upshift from one gear (gear ratio) currently established to a next gear (gear ratio) by determining a command to the solenoid valves to discharge the pressurized oil from the frictional engaging elements that establish the current gear (gear ratio) so as to slip-control the frictional engaging elements, and to charge the pressurized oil to the frictional engaging elements that establish the next gear (gear ratio) to be shifted to.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1998Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takamichi Shimada, Noboru Sekine
-
Patent number: 5954618Abstract: A slip control system for an automatic transmission includes a fluid coupling including a release side oil chamber, an apply side oil chamber and a lockup clutch unit that is applied and released on an basis of the oil pressure that is fed to at least one of the release side oil chamber and the apply side oil chamber; an oil pressure generating unit for generating the oil pressure; a vehicular running state detecting unit for a detecting vehicular running state; an electronic control unit for determining whether a slip control is to be made, on the basis of a determination upon whether the present vehicular running state, as detected by the vehicular running state detecting unit, belongs to a predetermined slip control region; and an oil pressure regulating unit for regulating the oil pressure in response to a signal coming from the electronic control unit, to make the slip control by sliding the lockup clutch unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1997Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhiro Mikami, Muneo Kusafuka, Kazuomi Okasaka, Kiyoshi Nagami, Koji Hayakawa, Kazuhito Yamada
-
Patent number: 5890994Abstract: An output torque control system for an internal combustion engine for a vehicle is operable during an upshift of an automatic transmission of the engine to increase the output torque from the engine, based on a control amount for increasing the output torque, to reduce a shock generated by the upshift. During the upshift of the automatic transmission, a slip amount of one of a plurality of clutches of the automatic transmission which is selected for the upshift is compared with a predetermined value. A calculation is made of a value of the control amount assumed when the slip amount of the one clutch becomes equal to the predetermined value, as a result of the comparison. The control amount is limited to the calculated value when the slip amount exceeds the predetermined value, as a result of the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1997Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazutomo Sawamura, Yoshiharu Saito, Shigetaka Kuroda
-
Patent number: 5857443Abstract: The present invention realizes high-speed and stable controls irrespective of the characteristic perturbations accompanied with the variation in operation point of a plant. The principle of the invention is applied to slip control of a lock-up clutch of a transmission and to idling engine speed control. A plant input calculation unit OC working as a controller recognizes an actual plant plus a characteristic compensator CC as an augmented plant EOB. The characteristic compensator CC compensates for the characteristic perturbations of the augmented plant EOB accompanied with the variation in operation point, so that the augmented plant EOB always works at a design point with respect to the plant input calculation unit OC working as the controller. The characteristic compensator CC compensates for frequency-dependent gain and phase deviations through filter operations and for a stationary gain deviation by multiplying predetermined constants.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1997Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo KenkyushoInventors: Katsumi Kono, Hiroshi Ito, Kagenori Fukumura, Shinya Nakamura, Masataka Osawa, Ryoichi Hibino, Masatoshi Yamada
-
Patent number: 5842953Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the amount of slip of a lock-up clutch of an automotive vehicle, which is provided in a fluid-operated power transmitting device such as a torque converter disposed between an engine and an automatic transmission, for direct connection of the engine and the automatic transmission, the apparatus including a pressure regulating valve for regulating a line pressure depending upon a load of the engine, a lock-up clutch slip control valve operable in a slip control mode for receiving the regulated line pressure and regulating a hydraulic pressure applied to the lock-up clutch to control the amount of slip of the lock-up clutch, a slip control mode detecting device for detecting an operation of the lock-up clutch slip control valve in the slip control mode, and a line pressure change restricting device for restricting an operation of the pressure regulating valve to restrict a change of the line pressure with a change in the engine during operation of the lock-up clutch slip control valveType: GrantFiled: July 10, 1997Date of Patent: December 1, 1998Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideki Yasue, Hiromichi Kimura