And Clutch Control Patents (Class 477/57)
  • Patent number: 10407074
    Abstract: A method for learning a clutch pedal may include determining whether a clutch pedal is operated; determining at least one of a depressed speed of the clutch pedal, a depressed value of the clutch pedal, and a speed of an engine at a shifting timing when the clutch pedal is operated; determining at least one of a moving average value of the depressed speed of the clutch pedal, a moving average value of the depressed value of the clutch pedal, and a moving average of the speed of the engine for a predetermined time; and storing the moving average value as a correction value for preventing an abrasion of a shift clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Hwa Yong Jang
  • Patent number: 9651148
    Abstract: Within of the method for improving the shifting quality at the start of the commissioning of a new automatic transmission or an automated transmission of a motor vehicle, a filling pressure adaptation is carried out by individual gearshifts. At least one adaptation counter is monitored, which indicates the number of the carried out filling pressure adaptations of at least one shifting element with one individual gearshift from the commissioning of the new automatic transmission or automated transmission. As long as the value of a specified number of monitored adaptation counters falls below a specified threshold value, no D-R and R-D reversing operations are permitted by the transmission control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christoph Hess, Philipp Koelbl
  • Patent number: 9002607
    Abstract: In a lock-up clutch control device, base hydraulic pressure calculation device calculates base hydraulic pressure Pb for engaging a lock-up clutch based on input torque from an engine, correction factor calculation device calculates correction factor ?, which is greater than 0 but less than 1, for correcting the base hydraulic pressure Pb based on an input rotational speed Ni of a transmission and a cylinder cut-off state of the engine. Commanded hydraulic pressure calculation device calculates a commanded hydraulic pressure Pc from the base hydraulic pressure Pb and the correction factor ? by means of: current value of commanded hydraulic pressure Pc?previous value of commanded hydraulic pressure Pc+(base hydraulic pressure Pb?previous value of commanded hydraulic pressure Pc)×?, and the commanded hydraulic pressure Pc is made to converge to the base hydraulic pressure Pb by repeating this a predetermined number of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Egashira, Akio Muto
  • Patent number: 8924112
    Abstract: A start control device and a start control method of a vehicular power transmission system including a lock-up clutch and a start clutch are provided in which start-time lock-up slip control is performed, and neutral control is performed. When the start-time lock-up slip control is additionally executed during cancellation of the neutral control, the gradient of an output rotational speed of the hydraulic power transmission which is changed, through engagement of the start clutch, toward an input rotational speed of the automatic transmission at the time of completion of engagement of the start clutch is controlled, using at least one of a start clutch pressure that is increased so as to engage the start clutch, and a lock-up clutch pressure that is increased so as to bring the lock-up clutch into slip engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Ayabe, Tomohiro Asami, Hidenori Saito
  • Patent number: 8790218
    Abstract: Before the termination of the fuel-cut control, the vehicle control system reduces a pumping loss by increasing an air intake and a load torque of an auxiliary device thereby preventing the vehicle to be decelerated excessively, and after the termination of the fuel-cut control, the vehicle control system increases the load torque of the auxiliary device thereby preventing the vehicle to be accelerated abruptly. Therefore, the vehicle speed will not be lowered unnecessarily before the termination of the fuel-cut control so that an execution time of the fuel-cut control can be extended. Moreover, driving comfort can be improved by thus reducing a change in acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junichi Morimura, Shinya Kodama, Satoru Niwa
  • Patent number: 8670908
    Abstract: An automatic transmission including an input shaft connected to a drive source; an output shaft connected to a driving wheel; a one-way clutch; friction engagement elements which establish speeds by changing a transmission path between the input shaft and the output shaft based on the application state of the friction engagement elements and application of the one-way clutch, one of the friction engagement elements being a brake that is applied when coasting in a take-off speed. The automatic transmission also includes a controller that determines whether it is possible to initially establish the take-off speed using the one-way clutch based on a predetermined condition, and, if not possible, then the controller establishes the take-off speed by applying the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Shimizu, Kenichi Tsuchida, Akitomo Suzuki, Kazunori Ishikawa, Masamichi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8641578
    Abstract: In a controller of a vehicle drive unit that is one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of slippage control regions (regions A to C) are set based on the timing of booming noise generation that accompanies engine driving (time from when the vehicle running state enters a region until booming noise is generated) so as to actively use, for example, regions B and C where booming noise is generated if the road load comes to a balance due to a slope or the like and running is then continued and where booming noise is not immediately generated even after the vehicle running state enters the regions, so the frequency of performing lockup slippage control is increased and the fuel saving effects of the lockup slippage control are enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kei Kitajima, Hitoshi Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 8585552
    Abstract: A torque converter clutch control system is provided. The system includes: a mode determination module that selects one of a lock low slip regulation mode and a hard lock mode based on a lock request; and a pressure control module that regulates pressure to the torque converter during the lock low slip regulation mode such that a target slip is maintained and commands a maximum pressure to the torque converter during the hard lock mode to prevent slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventors: Vincent Holtz, Jean Sieffert
  • Patent number: 8522644
    Abstract: When shift transmission of an automatic transmission is performed in a free-run state, a driving force control apparatus controls a degree of engagement of an engaging device in accordance with a hydraulic difference between a first hydraulic pressure and a second hydraulic pressure in a condition that the first hydraulic pressure does not reach the second hydraulic pressure. As a result, an oil pump supplies a hydraulic pressure to the automatic transmission, and the shift transmission can be performed. The first hydraulic pressure is a hydraulic pressure of the automatic transmission. The second hydraulic pressure is a hydraulic pressure required to perform the shift transmission. The engaging device can adjust an extent of transmission power between an engine and the automatic transmission in accordance with the degree of engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Matsunaga, Yoji Takanami
  • Patent number: 8515639
    Abstract: The embodiments herein provide an automatic clutch system for automobiles. The system comprises a mechanical section and an electronic section. The mechanical section comprises a rail support base with a rail-shaped ridge installed, dynamic parts installed on the rail-shaped ridge, supporting arms, an elevator mechanism connected to the clutch pedal and a clutch pedal lever. The electronic section comprises an input section for placing the elevator mechanism in due place and a keyboard for regulation, a sensor circuit, a command circuit including microcontroller, an exit section for changing a position of the elevator mechanism, a feedback circuit including a rotary encoder and monitors. The command circuit processes an instruction data from the input resources based on the regulations set by the user and transmits a command to the output section to position the elevator mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventor: Mehdi Zaerin
  • Patent number: 8506453
    Abstract: A method for operating a torque-transmitting system, which is coupled on the input side to an output shaft of a drive assembly and on the output side to an input shaft of a transmission. A torque flux from the drive assembly to the transmission passes via the torque-transmitting system. The torque-transmitting system includes a hydrodynamic torque converter via which a hydraulic path of the torque flux passes, a converter lockup clutch which is arranged functionally in parallel with the torque converter and via which a mechanical path of the torque flux passes, and a control unit which controls distribution of the torque flux between the hydraulic and mechanical paths in such a way that a predetermined overall torque profile is established at the input shaft of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jörg Rieling, Guido Wachsmuth, Dennis König
  • Patent number: 8491443
    Abstract: A lock-up clutch of a hydrodynamic torque converter remains disengaged during shifts of a downstream transmission, when the drive motor is operated in the partial load range, and remains engaged during shifts of the downstream transmission, when drive motor is operated in a full load range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hans Hofler, Thomas Kurz
  • Patent number: 8452503
    Abstract: In a transmission control device with a control unit, to eliminate a tooth-on-tooth position in a transmission shifting unit, a transmission clutch is adjusted to a nominal clutch value. In at least one operating mode, the control unit is designed to specify a prescribed clutch value, which is independent of any intermediate clutch value setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Bartels, Manfred Guggolz, Werner Hillenbrand, Dieter Scheurer, Carsten Schewe, David Ulmer
  • Patent number: 8428835
    Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a power unit group of a vehicle including at least one driving engine, a manual gearbox with plural gears and a clutch, in which a control system with a computer determines the target power to be supplied by the power unit group depending on information corresponding to an intention of the driver and displayed on an input of the computer. During a gear change, the information on the driver's intention is frozen during the clutch opening time so that the control system does not take into account a potential disturbing information, such as a quick foot release, displayed on the input between the clutch opening moment and the clutch closing moment to determine the target power to be supplied. The method can be applied particular to a manual gearbox having a system for displaying the recommended gear ratio on the dashboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Patrice Habert, Eric Vigerie
  • Patent number: 8409053
    Abstract: A powertrain for a vehicle includes an engine, a transmission with an input member driven by the engine, and an output member. An electric motor is operable to drive the input member. The transmission has an electrically-actuated one-way clutch with a neutral mode in which the clutch freewheels in both directions of rotation, and a locked mode in which the clutch is locked in one direction of rotation. The transmission also has a hydraulically-actuated dual-piston clutch with a spring that biases the dual-piston clutch to an engaged state. The one-way clutch is in the neutral mode and the spring biases the dual-piston clutch to the engaged state prior to a key start of the engine. The one-way clutch is actuated to the locked state following ignition of the engine after a key start, and remains in the locked state during an autostop of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Gm Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, Chunhao J. Lee, Chi-Kuan Kao, Kumaraswamy V. Hebbale, Robert K. Saley
  • Patent number: 8380411
    Abstract: A clutch control device for vehicle equipped with a clutch actuator driven by a working fluid, wherein secular change in the flow rate control valve for controlling the working fluid is compensated, and the rate of connection of the clutch is correctly controlled by a simple means. To control the stroke of a clutch actuator 110, the clutch control device is provided with a single flow rate control valve 1 that controls the feed and discharge of the working fluid by using an electromagnetic solenoid. A flow rate control valve control device 9 is provided with a learning device 91 that learns the neutral position of the flow rate control valve 1 which shuts off the flow of the working fluid, separately detects the amounts of electric current to a coil 8 of when the rate of change in the stroke becomes zero depending upon the directions in which the valve body of the flow control valve 1 moves, and learns the central point at the neutral position by averaging the detected values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Takei, Yasushi Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Kawanishi
  • Patent number: 8352141
    Abstract: A method for actuating a clutch in the drive train of a motor vehicle, including: generating a respective position setpoint for each predetermined target interval to actuate the clutch; in each predetermined target interval, actuating the clutch in a plurality of predetermined controller sampling intervals; discretizing a respective position setpoint change into a plurality of intermediate position setpoints; determining a number of intermediate position setpoints in the plurality of intermediate position setpoint depending on the ratio of the target interval to the controller sampling interval; and specifying the respective position setpoint changes in steps to actuate the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co., KG
    Inventor: Michael Schuhen
  • Patent number: 8342997
    Abstract: A hydraulic control device for an automatic transmission that prevents the introduction of foreign materials from a starter into the lubricant path and also reduces duct resistance at a non-lockup time when the oil temperature is low. Oil is provided to an oil cooler for cooling the oil, and is also provided to the automatic transmission for lubricating the transmission. The device includes a switching valve that is switched between a lockup state and a non-lockup state of the clutch. In the lockup state, the switching valve is switched to a first position at which a first input pressure is supplied to the starter and a second input pressure is supplied through the oil cooler to the transmission. In the non-lockup state, the switching valve is switched to a second position at which the first input pressure is discharged through the starter and the oil cooler to an oil pan, and the second input pressure is supplied to the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tanaka, Teruaki Naito
  • Patent number: 8265844
    Abstract: A clutch control device for vehicle is equipped with a clutch actuator driven by a working fluid, and works to correctly control the rate of connection of the clutch by a simple means compensating secular change of a flow rate control valve that controls the working fluid. The clutch control device has a single flow rate control valve 1 for controlling the feed and discharge of the working fluid to change the stroke of the clutch actuator 110. The flow rate control valve 1 has a neutral position at where feed and discharge of the working fluid is stopped. A flow rate control valve control device 9 is provided with a learning device 91 for learning the neutral position. To control the stroke, the flow rate control valve control device 9 corrects the amount of electric current to a coil 8 of an electromagnetic solenoid based on a value learned by the learning device 91 and compensates a change in the flow rate characteristics caused by secular change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Takei, Yasushi Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Kawanishi
  • Patent number: 8262539
    Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus, such an automotive transmission, adapted to properly select transmission of or cutting-off of a driving force of the driving source to or from the wheels of a vehicle can include a torque converter having a torque amplifying function. A clutch mechanism can include a first clutch device configured to transmit the driving force to the wheels through the torque converter and a second clutch device configured to transmit the driving force without passing through the torque converter. A selecting device can control the first clutch device or the second clutch device in accordance with conditions of the vehicle including starting from a stop. An input-side measuring device can be used to measure an input-side rotational speed of the first clutch device and an output-side measuring device can be used for measuring an output-side rotational speed of the first clutch device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Ohashi, Shouji Asatsuke, Akio Oishi, Ryouhei Chiba, Jun Ishimura, Keiichi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8152690
    Abstract: To provide an engine revolutions control device of a working vehicle that the braking effect can be obtained by the low-speed speed gear as expected by the operator at the time of forward/reverse changeover and the durability of the clutch can be enhanced without increasing the capacity of the clutch. When the low-speed gear change range suitable for the work is selected by the shift range lever and the speed gear clutch corresponding to the maximum speed gear of the selected gear change range in the individual speed gear clutches is engaged, the throttle amount upper limit value which limits the revolutions of the engine so to have the upper limit vehicle speed or less corresponding to the maximum speed gear is determined, and it is output as a throttle amount correction command signal to an engine controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasushi Hatanaka
  • Patent number: 8133156
    Abstract: The temperature of a machine component is controlled by transferring heat generated by a torque converter under restricted conditions to the component. The machine includes a circulating fluid system configured to transfer heat from the torque converter to the remotely positioned machine component. A controller is configured to sense the temperature of the component, and to restrict motion of the torque converter turbine when the sensed temperature is below a desired temperature. Heat generated by the torque converter under the restricted condition is transferred through the circulating fluid system to the remote component, such as the machine power source, to control the temperature thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis A. Barney, Charles W. Birchenough, James B. McKnight, Brian J. Oleson
  • Patent number: 7530924
    Abstract: A method of using a torque converter bypass clutch to launch a vehicle, mitigate transient vibration, and mitigate vehicle natural frequency harshness. The method uses the torque converter when the bypass clutch power capacity is approaching its limit, when the vehicle load is high, or the vehicle is on a grade, where normally the bypass clutch would launch the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John E. Brevick
  • Publication number: 20080214354
    Abstract: A torque converter lockup clutch control system is provided for an associated automatic transmission. The system includes a torque converter having an impeller operatively coupled to an associated internal combustion engine and a turbine operatively coupled to an input shaft of the associated automatic transmission. A lockup clutch is disposed within the torque converter for selectively locking the impeller to the turbine. A pressure regulator is operatively coupled to the torque converter for adjusting the pressure of a working fluid to at least one shift clutch of the associated automatic transmission in response to a speed differential between the impeller and turbine of the torque converter. A shift clutch slip detector is provided for detecting a slip condition of the at least one shift clutch of the associated automatic transmission and outputs a slip value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventor: Michael T. Dickinson
  • Publication number: 20040192495
    Abstract: A clutch (2) is arranged between the drive engine (1) and the hydrodynamic torque converter (4), which is actuated partially in the opening direction during the reversing process to influence the reversing time in a working machine, such as a wheel loader or a floor-level conveyor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Hans Hofler
  • Patent number: 6648795
    Abstract: Vehicle automatic transmission system having input shaft drive gears, output shaft driven gears meshing with the drive gears, a torque converter disposed between an engine crankshaft and the input shaft, synchromesh mechanisms for synchronously engaging the drive gears with the driven gears and a shift controller for automatically actuating the synchromesh mechanisms to obtain a required gear ratio. A lock-up clutch is incorporated in the torque converter for connecting a turbine shaft of the torque converter with the crankshaft. An electronically controlled throttle valve automatically operates to reduce crank shaft rotation speed when the gear is shifted, a bypass clutch transmits torque from the input shaft to the output shaft when the gear is shifted while the electronically controlled throttle valve reduces rotation speed of the crankshaft, and an input clutch selectively controls torque transmission from the crankshaft to the input shaft when the gear is shifted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshio Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6463740
    Abstract: The subject invention involves a compressor starting torque converter (CSTC) to enable starting up single-shaft gas turbine driven compressor sets, such as in a liquified natural gas (LNG) plant. The system includes a single-shaft gas turbine with an output shaft coaxially connected to the input shaft of the CSTC's torque converter, in turn whose output shaft drives the process load centrifugal compressor. The CSTC operates as a fluid coupling whereby the gas turbine and the compressor shafts are coupled via the working fluid (oil). Once the process load compressor is up to speed, a lock up device is engaged to mechanically couple the gas turbine directly to the compressor and then the torque converter is drained. The impeller and turbine wheel of the CSTC are undersized with regard to the maximum shaft power requirement of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: William E. Schmidt, Ned P. Baudat
  • Publication number: 20020035010
    Abstract: An automatic transmission system for a vehicle having a plurality of drive gears mounted on an input shaft, a plurality of driven gears mounted on an output shaft and meshing with the drive gears, a torque converter disposed between a crankshaft of an engine and the input shaft, synchromesh mechanisms for synchronously engaging the drive gears with the driven gears and a shift controller for automatically actuating the synchromesh mechanisms so as to obtain a required gear ratio, includes a lock-up clutch incorporated in the torque converter for connecting a turbine shaft of the torque converter with the crankshaft, an electronically controlled throttle valve for automatically operating to reduce a rotation speed of the crank shaft when the gear is shifted, a bypass clutch for transmitting torque from the input shaft to the output shaft when the gear is shifted while the electronically controlled throttle valve operates to reduce a rotation speed of the crankshaft, and an input clutch provided between an outp
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: Toshio Kobayashi