Ratio Change Controlled Patents (Class 477/46)
  • Patent number: 8298119
    Abstract: The transmission controller changes the gear position of the subtransmission mechanism and varies the speed ratio of the variator in an opposite direction to a speed ratio variation direction of the subtransmission mechanism when the actual through speed ratio passes a predetermined mode switch line. When the improvement in the shift response of the continuously variable transmission is determined to be required and the actual through speed ratio passes the mode switch line from a Low side to the High side, the transmission controller increases a shift speed of the subtransmission mechanism compared with a normal coordinated shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignees: Jatco Ltd, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tateki Jozaki, Hideaki Suzuki, Ryousuke Nonomura, Mamiko Inoue, Seiichiro Takahashi, Tatsuo Ochiai, Masato Koga, Masaaki Uchida, Ryoji Kadono
  • Patent number: 8292782
    Abstract: A belt continuously-variable transmission control apparatus includes: a belt continuously-variable transmission including; a primary pulley arranged to receive a torque from a driving source; a secondary pulley arranged to output the torque to driving wheels; a belt wound around the primary pulley and the secondary pulley; a hydraulic pressure control section configured to control a hydraulic pressure of one of the primary pulley and the secondary pulley which is a capacity side, and thereby to bring the belt, the primary pulley and the secondary pulley to a slip state; and a torque control section configured to control the torque of the driving source, and thereby to bring the slip state to a predetermined slip state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignees: Jatco Ltd, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Yamanaka, Shigeru Ishii, Shigeki Shimanaka
  • Patent number: 8287409
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system of continuously variable transmission includes: a first sheave pressure regulating valve (17) that regulates a line pressure (Pl), which is used for hydraulic control as a source pressure, to obtain a first sheave pressure (Pin); a fail-safe valve (19) that selects and outputs any one of the first sheave pressure (Pin) or a fail-safe hydraulic pressure (second sheave pressure Pout) that is applied to a drive pulley (21) at the time of a failure due to an excessive first sheave pressure (Pin) to the drive pulley (21); and a first regulator valve (12) and a second regulator valve (13) that regulate the line pressure (Pl). An output pressure (Psf) of the fail-safe valve (19) is supplied to the first and second regulator valves (12 and 13) in a feedback manner as a drive pulley (21) side hydraulic pressure to thereby regulate the line pressure (Pl).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Ogata, Toshihiro Aoyama
  • Patent number: 8277362
    Abstract: The transmission controller performs a non-coordinated shift, in which the gear position of the subtransmission mechanism is modified from the second gear position to the first gear position at a higher speed than when the gear position of the subtransmission mechanism is modified by a coordinated shift while permitting a deviation between the through speed ratio and the target through speed ratio, instead of the coordinated shift when it is determined that the second speed kick down shift is to be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignees: JATCO Ltd, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryousuke Nonomura, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Takuichiro Inoue, Jouji Seki, Mamiko Inoue, Seiichiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8275528
    Abstract: Methods and systems for managing acceleration of a motor vehicle having an automatic transmission by controlling transmission turbine acceleration are provided. A desired transmission turbine acceleration is determined based on vehicle speed, turbine speed, and other information obtained from the vehicle transmission. One or more torque limits are determined as a function of the turbine acceleration. The torque limits are applied to manage acceleration of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventor: John P Kresse
  • Patent number: 8265840
    Abstract: A control device for an automatic transmission is disclosed wherein a shift point depending on a variation in vehicle acceleration is modified on a real time basis in accordance with not only a corrected result on a shift point depending on piece-to-piece variations of automatic transmissions, but also actual acceleration for shortening a time required for learning with high precision with no need to be matched. Shift point real-time modifying means is provided for modifying the altered shift point based on a value of a ratio between a value of actual engine-rotation acceleration at an upshift-determining timing during a power-on running and a value of reference engine-rotation acceleration obtained by substituting a value of actual engine-rotation acceleration to a value for a reference running state having no impact on acceleration of a vehicle, and a target maximum engine rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Watanabe, Masato Kaigawa, Ichiro Kitaori, Masakazu Owatari
  • Patent number: 8226528
    Abstract: A shift controller for an automatic transmission mechanism is configured such that when the engine is in a driven state in which the engine is driven by a travel inertia force or the like and an accumulated pressure amount of the accumulator is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the excessive engine brake force, which is generated due to the accumulation of at least a portion of the hydraulic pressure generated from the mechanical hydraulic pump in the accumulator, is inhibited or reduced by conducting upshifting that relatively decreases the gear ratio of the automatic transmission mechanism. Therefore, the generation of the excessive engine brake force can be inhibited or reduced even when the engine is in the driven state and pressure accumulation is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Yokokawa, Yuji Hattori, Shinya Fujimura, Takaho Kawakami
  • Patent number: 8180536
    Abstract: During control of a shift of a first friction engagement element from an engaged state into a disengaged state and a shift of a second friction engagement element from a disengaged state into an engaged state for a gear shift to a first target gear from a second target gear, a desired torque capacity of the first friction engagement element is set based on an actual transmission gear ratio by interpolation from values of the desired torque capacity corresponding to at least first and second reference transmission gear ratios, wherein the first reference transmission gear ratio is a transmission gear ratio at start of an inertia phase of the shift control. When the first reference transmission gear ratio is between the actual transmission gear ratio and the second reference transmission gear ratio, the desired torque capacity is set to the value corresponding to the first reference transmission gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Masami Suzuki, Goh Endo
  • Publication number: 20120115678
    Abstract: Provided is control device and method for a belt type continuously variable transmission which can reduce drive energy consumption by a decrease in belt friction when the estimated accuracy of belt slip condition is high and which can prevent the belt from greatly slipping during belt slip control when the estimated accuracy of belt slip condition is low. The device includes a primary pulley (42), a secondary pulley (43), and a belt (44) and controls gear ratio based on the running radius of the belt (44) on the pulley by controlling the primary oil pressure and the secondary oil pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Katsumi Doihara, Yoshihisa Kodama, Yasuaki Yoshikawa, Kenta Nakamura, Kiyotaka Sawano, Masahiro Nishi, Hidemasa Kawaguchi, Keisuke Koyama
  • Publication number: 20120108390
    Abstract: A control device and a control method for a belt type-continuously variable transmission capable of preventing a belt slip from occurring by restricting that an input torque to the belt type-continuously variable transmission is excessive relative to a belt clamp force when returning from a belt slip control to a normal control are provided are provided. The control device includes a primary pulley (42), a secondary pulley (43), and a belt (44) and is configured to control a variable speed ratio determined by a running radius ratio of the belt (44) on the pulleys by controlling a primary hydraulic pressure and a secondary hydraulic pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicants: JATCO LTD., NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Katsumi Doihara, Yoshihisa Kodama, Yasuaki Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 8142330
    Abstract: When a through speed ratio, which is an overall speed ratio of a variator and a subtransmission mechanism, varies from a larger speed ratio than a mode switch speed ratio to a smaller speed ratio than the mode switch speed ratio, a gear position of the subtransmission mechanism is changed from a first gear position to a second gear position and the speed ratio of the variator is modified to a large speed ratio side. The mode switch speed ratio is set midway between a low speed mode Highest speed ratio and a high speed mode Lowest speed ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Hideaki Suzuki, Ryousuke Nonomura, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Takuichiro Inoue, Mamiko Inoue
  • Publication number: 20120053012
    Abstract: An oil pump driven by an engine generates a hydraulic pressure supplied to a frictional engagement element. An accumulator provided at an intermediate position of an oil path supplies the hydraulic pressure generated by the oil pump to the frictional engagement element. A controller stops the engine after a hydraulic pressure reducing condition to reduce the hydraulic pressure supplied to the frictional engagement element holds and the hydraulic pressure supplied to the frictional engagement element is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Naohiro Yamada, Keichi Tatewaki, Shinichiro Watanabe, Noritaka Aoyama
  • Patent number: 8121764
    Abstract: In a shift control device for an automatic transmission according to this invention, when the engine load increases such that a kickdown is required, and a gear position calculated in accordance with the shift map from an operating condition defined by a look-ahead vehicle speed at a predetermined future time is lower than a current gear position and the look-ahead vehicle speed is higher than a predetermined vehicle speed, control is performed to shift to a higher gear position than the target gear position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd.
    Inventor: Naohiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 8105191
    Abstract: The line hydraulic pressure setting portion sets the line hydraulic pressure PL, which is the base pressure for the required shift control pressure Pin and the required belt clamping pressure Pd, based on the higher of the required pressures Pin and Pd. At this time, if the continuously variable transmission is to be shifted up, the required Pin calculating portion calculates the required shift control pressure Pin based on one of the target speed ratio ?* and the actual speed ratio ? with which the required shift pressure Pv is calculated to be higher than with the other. As such, the required shift control pressure Pin is set to the minimum necessary level for shifting up the continuously variable transmission and the line hydraulic pressure PL is appropriately set to a level for obtaining the required shift control pressure Pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinya Toyoda, Hiroji Taniguchi, Yoshinobu Soga
  • Patent number: 8088036
    Abstract: A vehicle drive control device includes a continuously variable transmission mechanism (hereinafter referred to as CVT (6) of a torque control type capable of continuously varying a transmission gear ratio, and a controller (34) which controls operations of the CVT (6) and an engine (2). The controller (34) includes a first control section (43; 43A) which controls a torque of the CVT (6) based on a target transmission input torque (TTRN,T), and a second control section (44) which controls a torque of the engine (2) based on a target engine rotation speed (?e,T).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Fuchs, Yasuhiko Hasuda
  • Patent number: 8090509
    Abstract: A transmission includes a gear ratio change mechanism, a driving circuit and an electronic control unit (ECU). The gear ratio change mechanism has a motor for continuously varying the gear ratio. The driving circuit applies a pulse voltage to the motor. The ECU outputs a control signal to the driving circuit. The duty ratio and/or the pulse height of the pulse voltage is changed according to the control signal. The ECU performs a low-pass filtering process on the control signal to output the low-pass filtered control signal to the driving circuit. Gear ratio change shocks are thereby suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryousuke Asaoka
  • Patent number: 8088037
    Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle in which drivability is ensured when starting the vehicle. The vehicle includes a control device that controls a continuously variable transmission. A plurality of driving modes “A” and “B” are set in the control device. The control device performs a first control that switches the driving mode to driving mode “A” before start of the engine; a second control that switches between driving modes A” and “B” in response to operation of a mode switching operation member; and a third control that limits the second control and inhibits switching from the driving mode “A” to driving mode “B”, when the control device detects that the engine has not been started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryousuke Asaoka, Hiroyuki Aoki
  • Patent number: 8083640
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a CVT (continuously variable transmission), and a program for executing the control method that reduces a transmission shock during a braking operation. When a foot brake switch is turned on and a vehicle speed is less than or equal to a threshold speed, the ECU increases a clamping pressure applied to a transmission belt to a pressure level higher than a normal pressure. When the vehicle speed falls to or below the threshold speed when the foot brake switch is turned on, the ECU prohibits an increase in the clamping pressure applied to the transmission belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daisuke Inoue
  • Patent number: 8066595
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a vehicular drive system including a hydraulically operated belt-and-pulley type continuously variable transmission and a hydraulically operated frictional coupling device engaged for running of a vehicle, the hydraulic control system including: a first solenoid valve for regulating a belt-tensioning hydraulic pressure for tensioning a belt of the transmission, a second solenoid valve for regulating a transient coupling hydraulic pressure to be applied to the frictional coupling device in the process of an engaging action, a line-pressure regulating valve for regulating a line pressure used for hydraulically operated devices of the mechanism, and a hydraulic-circuit switching device operable to apply a control pressure of the second solenoid-operated valve to the line-pressure regulating valve after the frictional coupling device has been placed in a fully engaged state, and to apply a first control pressure of the first solenoid-operated valve to the line-pressure regulating va
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Ogata, Yoshinobu Soga, Ryoji Habuchi
  • Patent number: 8066617
    Abstract: A method of controlling an automated step-down transmission, arranged in a drivetrain between an engine and a drive axle, which includes a multi-stage main transmission and a range group. The main transmission has an intermediate transmission style with a countershaft having a transmission brake and an input shaft connected, via a clutch, to the engine. The main transmission shifts, without being synchronized, and the range group shifts, after synchronization, such that the engaged gear ratio of the main transmission remains engaged during a range shift operation. The range shift is accomplished by firstly reducing drive engine torque; secondly, disengaging the existing gear ratio of the range group; thirdly, remotely synchronizing the target gear ratio in the range group; fourthly, engaging the target gear ratio in the range group; and fifthly, increasing the drive engine torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Mario Steinborn, Jochen Breuer
  • Patent number: 8057354
    Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently and effectively controlling the rate of change of ratio, not simply the ratio, in a CVT. By controlling the rate of change of ratio, the acceleration or deceleration of a vehicle can be controlled in an efficient manner. Furthermore, the rate of change of ratio can be controlled by controlling the clamping pressure of the pulleys and/or differential pressure between the pulleys with minimal slip by using a servo control mechanism adapted for control by a system controller based on equilibrium mapping and other control parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Andrew A. Frank, Thomas Dreumont
  • Patent number: 8002654
    Abstract: A control system for controlling a belt-type continuously variable transmission having a pulley capable of varying its groove width to which a belt is applied, in which the pulley is provided with an oil chamber to which the oil pressure is fed so that the pulley clamps the belt, in which the capacity of the oil chamber is varied in accordance with a change in the groove width, and in which the oil pressure in the oil chamber is controlled in accordance with a deviation between a target oil pressure and an actual oil pressure, comprising: a pressure-receiving capacity change detecting device for detecting a change in the capacity of the oil chamber; and an oil pressure control contents altering device for altering a degree to reflect the deviation on the oil pressure control of the oil chamber on the basis of a change in the capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Oshiumi, Kunihiro Iwatsuki, Takayuki Amaya
  • Patent number: 7998006
    Abstract: In a speed ratio control device for a belt continuously variable transmission according to this invention, when a speed ratio is subjected to feedback control on the basis of a difference between an actual speed ratio and a target speed ratio, pressure supplied to a primary pulley is corrected through feedforward (S17, S18) in order to suppress variation in the groove width of the primary pulley caused by a rapid variation in an input torque into the primary pulley (S17) while traveling in a fixed speed ratio mode (S14) in which the target speed ratio is held at a fixed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Hironori Nihei, Tetsuya Izumi, Seonjae Kim, Fumito Shinohara, Kiyotaka Sawano, Takuya Numata
  • Patent number: 7935023
    Abstract: In the case where a belt return of a continuously variable transmission is not determined when the vehicle speed has become equal to or lower than a threshold value, control that causes a hydraulic actuator to have an intermediate pressure by setting a duty of a duty solenoid based on an input torque and an oil temperature and closing control are repeatedly performed, in accordance with the running and the stopping of the vehicle. As a result, it is possible to inhibit the continuously variable transmission from being shifted up due to a gradual increase in the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic actuator caused by a line pressure seeping to the hydraulic actuator side through a small clearance in a spool of a flow rate control valve in a hydraulic circuit, and it is also possible to allow the continuously variable transmission to be shifted down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kurita, Fumihiro Hazu
  • Patent number: 7920949
    Abstract: A variator torque control system and method utilize a hydraulic actuator to control the variator output via a torque control map, wherein the values of the torque control map are evaluated and modified during use of the map to improve map accuracy. In an example, errors in the map are evaluated to determine whether a system fault has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D Kuras, Frank A DeMarco, Adam J Vaccari, Tyler Bowan
  • 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: 7908065
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program that includes the steps of i) calculating a sporty running counting SC based on a state of a vehicle according to an operation of a driver; ii) changing a condition for executing sporty running in which an upshift is inhibited when an accelerator is suddenly released and in which a downshift is promoted during sudden braking such that the condition is easier to satisfy and changing a condition for returning from sporty running so that it is more difficult to satisfy when the sporty running count SC is equal to or greater than a threshold value; and iii) changing the condition for executing sporty running so that it is more difficult to satisfy and changing the condition for returning from sporty running so that it is easier to satisfy when the sporty running count SC is not equal to or greater than the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Toshihiro Fukumasu, Masami Kondo, Hideki Kubonoya, Naoto Moriya, Masato Kaigawa
  • Patent number: 7892141
    Abstract: A speed ratio change control device for a belt type continuously variable transmission calculates a maximum thrust that can be generated by the primary pulley on the basis of an upper limit value of the line pressure, calculates an upper limit value of a shift speed on the basis of the maximum thrust, and sets the target speed ratio on the basis of the upper limit value of the shift speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Midori Yamaguchi, Fumito Shinohara, Yoshihisa Kodama
  • Patent number: 7862470
    Abstract: A speed change control device carries out speed change control of a stepless speed change mechanism in accordance with the vehicle speed. The speed change control device includes: first vehicle speed selection means for comparing a first vehicle speed obtained from the rotation speed of an output member 26 of the stepless speed change mechanism and a second vehicle speed obtained from the rotation speed of the wheels and for selecting the lower of the first and second vehicle speeds as the substitute vehicle speed; and second vehicle speed selection means for comparing the third vehicle speed obtained from the output side rotation speed of a clutch mechanism and the substitute vehicle speed, and for selecting the higher of the third vehicle speed and the substitute vehicle speed as the control vehicle speed. The control vehicle speed is used as the vehicle speed V for carrying out speed change control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Eguchi, Takeshi Kurata, Yuichiro Takemori, Yasuhiro Hara
  • Patent number: 7853386
    Abstract: There is provided a control system for a powertrain system including an electro-mechanical transmission that is selectively operative in a plurality of fixed gear modes and continuously variable modes. The control system is adapted to execute the following steps, comprising determining a range of permissible engine input speeds and a range of permissible engine input torques, and determining motor input torques for the first and second electrical machines based upon the range of permissible engine input speeds and the range of permissible engine input torques. A cost is determined for each of the motor input torques. A preferred engine input speed and a preferred engine input torque are identified based upon the costs for the motor input torques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony H. Heap
  • Patent number: 7819764
    Abstract: A speed change control device for a belt type continuously variable transmission has a speed change control unit (32) which controls an oil pressure for determining a speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission (10) by operating a step motor (40), and detects a rotation speed of a primary pulley or a secondary pulley. A driving speed of the step motor (40) is limited using two or more of a temperature of a working oil of the speed change control unit (32), the speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission (10), and the detected rotation speed as parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Yusuke Kimura, Tatsuo Ochiai
  • Patent number: 7789780
    Abstract: During Low return control, in which a speed ratio determined by a contact radius of a V-belt (4) with a non-rotating primary pulley (2) and a non-rotating secondary pulley (3) is shifted toward lowest speed ratio while the vehicle is stationary, an estimated speed ratio (ic) is calculated on the basis of a secondary pulley pressure (Psec). When a start request is issued to the vehicle while Low return control is underway, a primary pulley pressure (Ppri) and the secondary pulley pressure (Psec) are controlled on the basis of the estimated speed ratio (ic).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Hiroki Iwasa, Yoshihisa Kodama
  • Patent number: 7774120
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an automatic transmission includes a control section having a normal control section configured to actuate the step motor at a first speed by using a feedback control including an integral control in accordance with the target pulley ratio and the actual pulley ratio, a high speed control section configured to actuate the step motor at a second speed higher than the first speed by an open loop control based on the target pulley ratio, a judgment section configured to judge whether there is a high speed operation request, and a switch section configured to select the normal control performed by the normal control section at a normal condition, and to switch to the high speed control when a switch start condition is satisfied, the switch start condition including a first condition that the judgment section judges there is the high speed operation request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Midori Yamaguchi, Yoshihisa Kodama, Tatsuya Ozone, Toshiji Iida, Fumito Shinohara, Toshiyuki Shibuya, Atsufumi Kobayashi, Yusuke Kimura
  • Patent number: 7699729
    Abstract: This invention is a speed ratio change control device for a belt type continuously variable transmission that a minimum generated pressure of the primary pressure is estimated on the basis of a displacement speed of the movable sheave of the primary pulley and an opening area of a drain side passage of the speed ratio change control valve (S4), an upper limit value of a shift speed is calculated on the basis of the minimum generated pressure (S6), and the target speed ratio is set on the basis of the upper limit value of the shift speed (S10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Takuichiro Inoue, Midori Yamaguchi, Yoshihisa Kodama
  • Patent number: 7686735
    Abstract: A continuously variable power-branched transmission for a motor vehicle, including an input shaft, a variable speed drive unit having pairs of conical disks and a continuously variable transmission ratio, a gear system, and an output shaft. Two control clutches connect the variable speed drive unit and the gear system so that when going through the entire transmission ratio range of the power-branched transmission the adjustment range of the variable speed drive unit is passed through a plurality of times. The transmission also includes rotational speed sensors and a controller that determines whether a change in rotational speed is triggered by a change in the transmission ratio, and when it is not triggered by a change in the transmission ratio, the controller adjusts the variable speed drive unit so that the change in rotational speed not triggered by a change in the transmission ratio is compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Betelligungs KG
    Inventors: Martin Vornehm, Emmanuel Simon
  • Patent number: 7641586
    Abstract: A motor vehicle automatic gearbox, with infinitely-variable ratio, may be operated in a constant speed mode, or in an acceleration mode in which the motor revolution speed is increased or reduced in steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Wild, Klaus Wohlrab
  • Publication number: 20090280952
    Abstract: A method for operating a continuously variable conical pulley transmission having two conical pulley sets that are operatively coupled by a endless torque-transmitting means, so that the transmission ratio between the conical pulley sets is continuously variable. A hydraulic medium is supplied to the continuously variable conical pulley transmission in a stop phase of a start/stop operation by means of a pump unit that includes a pump that is driven by an electric motor. The electric motor is controlled as a function of the temperature of the hydraulic medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Marco GRETHEL, Eric MÜLLER
  • Publication number: 20090270222
    Abstract: A method of controlling a transmission (e.g., CVT) comprises dividing the entire range of an input torque to a transmission from an engine into a plurality of partial torque ranges; setting the maximum torque of the respective partial torque ranges as a representative torque of the respective partial torque ranges; and setting a target hydraulic pressure, which is to be provided to the transmission, according to the representative torque and a predetermined target speed ratio. The method allows a target hydraulic pressure for controlling a transmission to be maintained constant even though an input torque from an engine is changed, and allows the transmission to maintain a speed ratio constant, thereby ensure a stable and smooth ride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicants: Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Howook Lee
  • Patent number: 7584040
    Abstract: The following steps are performed in the control method: determining a mode of operation from amongst a permanent mode and a transient mode, as a function of a set of variables comprising said estimated values; correcting the value of the speed of rotation of the outlet shaft in such a manner that: if the mode has been determined as being the permanent mode, then the moving average (L?) of the gear ratio (L) over a period (T) of a plurality of unit time intervals lies between a first threshold value (S1) that is negative and a second threshold value (S2) that is positive; and if the mode has been determined as being the transient mode, then said moving average (L?) of the gear ratio (L) lies outside the range of values defined by the first and second threshold value (S1, S2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventor: Stéphane Rimaux
  • Patent number: 7568996
    Abstract: A speed-ratio control apparatus for controlling a speed ratio of a continuously variable transmission of a vehicle, such that an actual input speed of the transmission coincides with a target input speed, the apparatus including an acceleration-requirement determining portion operable to determine whether non-rapid acceleration or rapid acceleration of the vehicle is required by a vehicle operator, and a target-input-speed setting portion operable, upon determination of the operator's requirement for the non-rapid acceleration, to implement an instantaneous stepping increase of the target input speed to a first transient target value, (ii) hold the target input speed at the first transient target value in a first portion of a rapid shifting period, (iii) instantaneously reduce, at the end of the first portion of the rapid shifting period, the target input speed to an initial value of a second transient target value which initial value is close to the actual input speed and lower than the first transient targe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasunari Matsui, Tadashi Tamura
  • Patent number: 7559872
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission is mounted on a vehicle capable of selecting plural drive modes and changes a target engine speed between drive modes. A pulley ratio is controlled by a motor. An ECU for transmission control includes a calculation section which outputs a target engine speed as a function of throttle opening and vehicle speed, and a motor control value determination section which outputs a control value for controlling the motor based on the target engine speed and an actual engine speed. In a case where, when a drive mode is selected, the current target engine speed changes by an amount exceeding a predetermined judgment value according to vehicle speed, the motor control value determination section updates the current target engine speed in a stepwise manner. The resulting configuration reduces a shift shock caused by a drive mode change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naotada Matsudaira, Michio Asumi
  • Patent number: 7553256
    Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus of a belt-drive CVT, controlling a transmission ratio by changing respective effective rotation radii of driving and driven pulleys, includes vehicle information sensors; hydraulic actuators changing the respective rotation radii; and a control unit determining each fluid pressure command value provided for the pulleys, and controlling the hydraulic actuators based on the fluid pressure command values. The control unit acquires an actual displacement amount of one of the pulleys. When changing a transmission to the highest or lowest speed transmission, the control unit sets a target displacement amount of one of the pulleys; estimates a rapidly changing amount of the working fluid pressure, occurring at close to an end of the speed change; and corrects the fluid pressure command value by the rapidly changing amount at a time when a rate of the actual displacement amount with respect to the target displacement amount has reached a predetermined rate ?0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Jonggap Kim, Yasushi Yabe
  • Patent number: 7548810
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a continuously variable transmission of a vehicle is provided for switching the transmission from a continuously variable transmission mode to a stepped transmission mode without giving any discomfort to the driver, and for appropriately responding to a request for acceleration from the operator during the stepped transmission mode. The control apparatus comprises an ECU for setting a target transmission ratio in accordance with the detected operating condition of the vehicle, controlling the transmission ratio of the continuously variable transmission to reach the set target transmission ratio, and switching the transmission mode between a CVT mode and an AT mode. When the transmission mode is switched from the CVT mode to the AT mode, the ECU sets the target transmission ratio to a transmission ratio in the CVT mode immediately before the switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihira Aoki
  • Patent number: 7517299
    Abstract: A transmission TM comprises a metal V-belt mechanism 20, which is provided between an engine ENG and driving wheels DRW and transmits a rotational driving force from the engine ENG toward the driving wheels DRW with a speed change, and a forward/reverse switching mechanism 30, which includes a planetary gear train and switches the rotational direction between for a forward drive and for a reverse drive and transmits the rotational driving force received from the engine ENG to the metal V-belt mechanism 20. An engine control unit 60 for the transmission TM, while the rotational direction is set for a reverse drive, changes the ratio of the metal V-belt mechanism 20 in the direction where the vehicle speed increases by a predetermined ratio and controls the torque input from the engine ENG such that the torque being transmitted to the driving wheels DRW achieves approximately the same magnitude as that achieved while the rotational direction is set for a forward drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Eguchi, Naoki Fujishiro, Yuichiro Takemori, Toshikazu Uneyama
  • Publication number: 20090082172
    Abstract: In an area where a required primary pressure is higher than a required secondary pressure after a line pressure is controlled to an oil pressure obtained by adding a margin to a higher oil pressure of the required primary pressure and the required secondary pressure, the line pressure is gradually reduced such that the line pressure does not fall below the required primary pressure by adding a negative correction amount to the line pressure when a predetermined condition is established. Further, the line pressure is controlled back to the oil pressure obtained by adding the margin when the condition ceases to be established. When the condition ceases to be established (S8), a line pressure correction amount at this time is stored as a learned value (S9), and when the condition is reestablished (S5), the line pressure correction amount is substituted with the learned value (S6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Yasushi MORI, Hirofumi CHINJU
  • Patent number: 7435200
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure control apparatus of a belt-drive continuously variable transmission (CVT) for an automotive vehicle, includes a vehicular information detector that detects engine-and-vehicle operating conditions and a hydraulic actuator that regulates primary and secondary pulley pressures. A CVT control unit calculates a primary-pulley slip-limit pulley thrust and a secondary-pulley slip-limit pulley thrust based on information about the engine-and-vehicle operating conditions. The CVT control unit sets a primary-pulley-thrust command value to the primary-pulley slip-limit pulley thrust and calculates a desired secondary pulley thrust based on a desired transmission ratio, when a pulley ratio is greater than or equal to 1. The CVT control unit sets a secondary-pulley-thrust command value to the secondary-pulley slip-limit pulley thrust and calculates a desired primary pulley thrust suited to the desired transmission ratio, when the pulley ratio is less than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Jonggap Kim, Seiichiro Takahashi, Yasushi Yabe
  • Publication number: 20080227594
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for controlling a belt-driven conical-pulley transmission of a motor vehicle, wherein the transmission has a variably adjustable transmission ratio. The hydraulic system includes a first valve arrangement to ensure a contact pressure in the belt-driven conical-pulley transmission, a second valve arrangement to control the transmission ratio of the belt-driven conical-pulley transmission, and a hydraulic energy source to supply the hydraulic system with hydraulic energy. In order to provide an improved hydraulic system, the system a third valve arrangement for controlling a forward clutch and a reverse clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Roshan Willeke, Eric Muller
  • Publication number: 20080183359
    Abstract: A vehicle with a transmission having a crankshaft and an output shaft. A clutch located between the output shaft and a drive wheel is engaged and disengaged according to a rotational speed of the output shaft. An idle speed control device performs idle speed control to adjust an idle rotational speed of an engine. An electronic control unit (ECU) suppresses or stops the idle speed control when the clutch is engaged, or when an abnormality in the transmission is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuichiro SAWADA
  • Patent number: 7387589
    Abstract: A shift control apparatus of a belt type continuously variable transmission is comprised of a controller which is arranged to set a first hydraulic pressure controlled variable based on a first target transmission ratio determined based on a vehicle traveling condition, to set a second hydraulic controlled variable based on a second target transmission ratio determined based on a predetermined transfer characteristic, to steplessly control the transmission ratio by controlling hydraulic pressures of primary and secondary pulleys hydraulic based on the first and second hydraulic pressure controlled variables, to detect at least one of the hydraulic pressures of the primary and secondary pulleys, and to correct the second target transmission ratio based on the detected hydraulic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Suzuki, Masaaki Uchida
  • Patent number: 7384372
    Abstract: A control device for a belt continuously variable transmission with a primary pulley, a secondary pulley and a V-belt, includes an oil pressure control unit which applies a thrust to each of the primary pulley and the secondary pulley, and a controller. The controller judges whether or not a pulley ratio is less than 1. When the pulley ratio is less than 1, the controller sets a target thrust of the secondary pulley on the basis of an input torque to the primary pulley and a coefficient of static friction between an element forming the V-belt and the secondary pulley, and then to instruct the oil pressure control unit to apply the target thrust to the secondary pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Katou