And Brake Control Patents (Class 477/71)
  • Patent number: 6969341
    Abstract: An engine deceleration control system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle is arranged to prohibit correcting an air quantity supplied to the engine when an elapsed time period from a moment of turning off of an accelerator of the engine is within a first predetermined time period, or when an elapsed time period from a moment of turning off of a lockup clutch of a torque converter is within a second predetermined time period or when a shifting of a transmission connected to the engine is being executed, and to cancel prohibiting the correction of the supplied air quantity when a braking operation is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takamitsu Hase, Tomohiko Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6875153
    Abstract: A method and an actuating arrangement for automatically actuating a component of a motor vehicle brake is actuated by an externally applied force and independently of an actuation of a brake pedal by the driver of the vehicle clutch actuation occurs at times when the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero, or when the vehicle rolls backward with the gearbox engaged in a forward gear, or when the vehicle rolls forward with the gearbox engaged in a reverse gear. Clutch wear and tear is thereby reduced. Additionally, the vehicle clutch can also be automatically actuated by an externally applied force, to engage or to disengage the clutch based upon predetermined operating parameters of components of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Thomas Jäger, Hubert Friedmann
  • Publication number: 20040209733
    Abstract: An automated transmission system includes a transmission brake which is used to apply a braking torque to the transmission, while the engine torque is negative and a transmission clutch is disengaged to effect a gear downshift, in order to avoid acceleration of the vehicle when the clutch is released and abrupt deceleration of the vehicle upon completion of the gear downshift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Ian Richard Joseph Bates, Burkhard Pollak, In Ho Song, Youngkeun Park, Christian Rieger
  • Publication number: 20040166988
    Abstract: A system for controlling a component of a gear in a vehicle, especially a clutch, through a hydraulic transmission link. The system includes a transmission control unit and an engine control unit, whereby a loss in fluid in the transmission link can be detected or a hazardous situation caused by the potential for fluid loss is avoided, whereupon the engine and/or the transmission can be suitably controlled using the transmission control and/or engine control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: LUK LAMELLEN UND KUPPLUNGSBAU
    Inventors: Martin Zimmermann, Klaus Kuepper
  • Patent number: 6770008
    Abstract: A controller for an exhaust brake device is provided whereby the braking force of the exhaust brake device can be ensured sufficiently, even at low vehicle speeds. A controller for an exhaust brake device (73) used in combination with a power transmission device comprising a fluid coupling (2) connected to the output shaft (1a) of an engine (E), a clutch (3) interposed between the fluid coupling (2) and a gearbox (T/M), and a lock-up clutch (7) for mechanically disengaging and engaging the fluid coupling (2), is provided, and this controller is provided with an electronic control unit (22) for controlling the engagement and disengagement of the lock-up clutch (7) and the operation of the exhaust brake device (73). The electronic control unit (22) permits operation of the exhaust brake device (73) in the range of engagement of the lock-up clutch (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Takumi Shinojima, Satoshi Kishi
  • Patent number: 6755766
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to achieve stabilization of clutch transmission torque at the point of half clutch completion during a garage shift upon vehicle start up, and to thereby achieve smooth clutch engagement. In a vehicle power transmission device in which a fluid coupling and a wet friction clutch are provided in series at points on a power transmission path which extends from an engine to a transmission, and which performs engagement/disengagement control of the clutch by varying the pressure of operating fluid used for engagement/disengagement driving the clutch in accordance with duty pulse signals outputted from an electronic control unit, clutch engagement control is begun at the same time as (t1) the transmission is put into gear in a state of clutch disengagement when a vehicle is about to start up from a standstill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Eiji Inoue, Takumi Shinojima, Satoshi Kishi
  • Patent number: 6723023
    Abstract: A vehicle auxiliary braking system is provided to accomplish a braking effect similar to engine braking inexpensively, to extend the life of the brakes, and to reduce the work cycle time in order to improve work efficiency. The system has a centrifugal sensor 20, an accelerator sensor 21, and a braking clutch engaging means that includes a braking hydraulic circuit 22. The centrifugal sensor 20 detects that the vehicle is traveling when the vehicle is moving at or above a prescribed speed. Accelerator sensor 21 detects when the depression amount of the accelerator pedal 6 is at or below a prescribed amount. The braking clutch engaging means engages the clutch that corresponds to the opposite travel direction when the vehicle is traveling at or above the prescribed speed and the accelerator depression amount is at or below the prescribed depression amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Isao Murakami
  • Publication number: 20040058778
    Abstract: When a vehicle is operating in launch or manoeuvring modes, the vehicle can be controlled by operation of the brake alone; the engagement of the friction clutch is in inverse proportion to the amount of braking effort demanded by the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Robert Stanley Wheeler, Alfred John Richardson, Martin Fowler, Keith Wright
  • Publication number: 20040014559
    Abstract: In a vehicle transmission system including a transmission having an input shaft driven by an engine, an output shaft, and a clutch for controlling the transfer of torque from the input shaft to said output shaft, the clutch is controlled by sensing the speed of the engine and controlling engagement of said clutch according to the sensed engine speed. The system normally operates in a mode wherein clutch engagement is controlled according to the position of a clutch pedal. An auto-clutch mode, wherein engine speed controls clutch engagement is invoked when the transmission is in gear, brake pedals are depressed, and the engine speed is less than a predetermined speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Garth H. Bulgrien
  • Publication number: 20030171186
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling creep in an automatic transmission, comprising a first creep torque control means which, upon generation of an accelerator- and brake-pedal undepressed state in a running mode, generates a target creep speed, the target creep speed increasing as a function of time and settling to a predetermined value, the first creep torque control means then calculating a creep torque from the target creep speed, detecting a change in vehicle load from a speed deviation, correcting a target creep torque on the basis of the detected change in vehicle load, and controlling the engine torque on the basis of the correction, and a second creep torque control means which controls a transfer torque of a starting clutch (a first friction clutch) on the basis of a slipping speed of the starting clutch and the target creep torque, the creep controlling method and system being able to realize a stable creep running even against a change in running environment such as the existence of a slope or an i
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Okada, Toshimichi Minowa, Mitsuo Kayano, Tatsuya Ochi, Hiroshi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 6594573
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for regulating an electrohydraulically controlled clutch or a brake of a transmission. According to the invention, the clutch or brake is regulated using a model-based compensation pressure regulator with the help of an observation unit, whereby the compensation-pressure control circuit contains a non-linear compensation element which corresponds to the inverse model of the control system of the coupling or brake. The observation unit estimates interference levels of the clutch regulation from a drive chain model, according to a condition-estimation procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Rossmann, Friedrich Tenbrock, Dieter Neumann
  • Publication number: 20030119628
    Abstract: A method and an actuating arrangement for automatically actuating a component of a motor vehicle. The vehicle brake is actuated by an externally applied force and independently of an actuation of a brake pedal by the driver of the vehicle clutch actuation occurs at times when the speed of the vehicle is substantially zero, or when the vehicle rolls backward with the gearbox engaged in a forward gear, or when the vehicle rolls forward with the gearbox engaged in a reverse gear. Clutch wear and tear is thereby reduced. Additionally, the vehicle clutch can also be automatically actuated by an externally applied force, to engage or to disengage the clutch based upon predetermined operating parameters of components of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas Jager, Hubert Friedmann
  • Publication number: 20030022754
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a rotation matching mechanism for an automatic clutch type transmission which makes it possible to obtain superior friction characteristics in a rotation matching braking device that synchronizes the gears of the transmission during up-shifting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventor: Hidetaka Koga
  • Patent number: 6498974
    Abstract: A transfer case control system or apparatus 10 is provided for use on a four-wheel drive vehicle of the type having a transfer case 32, a front driveshaft 22 and a rear driveshaft 26. Transfer case control system 10 includes a conventional microcontroller or controller 40 having a memory unit 42 and operating under stored program control. Controller 40 is communicatively coupled to sensors 44, 46, 48, and to a transfer case 32. Controller 40 selectively generates a control signal having a proportional term or component and an integral term or component. The control signal is generated to transfer case 32 and controls the amount of torque provided to driveshafts 22, 26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Global Tech., Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok Rodrigues, John Glab
  • Publication number: 20020082135
    Abstract: A method for controlling shifts of an auto vehicle transmission is disclosed to determine a forward running shifting process and then perform forward running operations if a range switch of the shift lever is made according to a backward running vehicle driver's intention to run forwards, after the driver considers brake pedal manipulation, the engine idle and vehicle's backward running speed at the time of a R→D range switch of the shift lever, thereby preventing the changing shift shock and reduction in strength that may be caused by wear or loss of friction elements, the method including the steps of: discriminating whether a R→D range switch signal has been input while the vehicle is running backwards; detecting the vehicle's running state if the R→D range switch signal has been input; discriminating whether the first speed shifting conditions are satisfied when the detected running states of the vehicle have been determined as follows: a brake switch is turned off, and the running speed is
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventor: Jun-Eui Kwon
  • Publication number: 20020058567
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the operability of a mechanical power transmission path between an actuator of an automated transmission and a shift element of the transmission. The selection of the gear step to be engaged takes place via a control unit, and before the selection process a matching movement in the selection direction is performed with the shift element until a reference point has been detected by the control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventor: Andreas Rogg
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6287236
    Abstract: A parking brake for maintaining an industrial vehicle in a stationary position is kept engaged by a holding mechanism. The parking brake is disengaged by a releasing mechanism. Whether the vehicle speed is equal to greater than a predetermined value is determined based on a detection signal from a speed detector. If the vehicle speed is less than the predetermined value, the releasing mechanism is controlled such that the parking brake is automatically engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Kazuo Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6249733
    Abstract: An automatic control for operating an engine retarder, service brakes, and an automatic transmission associated with earth moving equipment is provided. The automatic control monitors engine speed and responsively produces control signals to maintain engine speed within predetermined limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry F. Smith
  • Patent number: 6246944
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the brake of a vehicle, which easily brings the vehicle to a halt, or starts it, only by the action of the accelerator without operating the brake pedal. Brakes (4,5) are applied when the vehicle speed detected by a speed detector (9) becomes a predetermined threshold value or less. The operation of the brakes (4,5) is turned off when a load detected by a load detector (10) becomes larger than a load operated by a load computer (11,14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryoichi Maruyama
  • Patent number: 5983149
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) is provided for automatically actuating a brake system (28) in a work vehicle. The work vehicle has an engine (12) and a plurality of ground engaging wheels (24). At least one of the wheels (24) is driven by the engine (12) for propelling the vehicle. The brake system (28) is provided for opposing motion of at least one of the wheels. The apparatus (10) includes speed sensor (20) for sensing actual engine speed and responsively producing an actual engine speed signal. A controller (64) receives the actual engine speed signal and produces an error signal in response a difference between the actual and desired engine speed signals. The controller (64) further produce a control signal in response to the error signal. An actuator (76, 52, 58) is provided for receiving the control signal and controlling the braking force applied by the brake system (28) so as to reduce the error signal to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Tate, Stephen R. Olson, Craig L. Koehrsen, Karl W. Kleimenhagen
  • Patent number: 5964122
    Abstract: A dual control device for selectively actuating a brake, a clutch or an accelerator of a driving school vehicle having at least one mechanical sensor which generates an electrical signal corresponding to an action of a foot of the user. An electrical circuit receives this electrical signal so as to actuate on electric motive member. The electric motive member has an output mechanical element affixed to an end of an actuating flexible element and connected to one of the pedals. The output mechanical element applies an axial stress on the flexible element when the motive member is actuated. The axial stress applied to the flexible element being applied onto the pedal so as to pull the pedal toward the floor of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Inventors: Henri Bonnard, Francisco Rivas, Michel Santalucia
  • Patent number: 5788601
    Abstract: An automatic transmission control system in which a specific one of friction coupling elements is selectively locked and unlocked to provide a specific gear initiates locking the specific friction coupling element to execute a gear shift to the specific gear at a level of input torque to the automatic transmission from the torque converter higher when a friction-related parameter demonstrates a high friction coefficient of the coupling element than when demonstrating a low friction coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Kuriyama, Kazuo Sasaki
  • Patent number: 5741200
    Abstract: The invention provides a control apparatus for an automatic transmission for carrying out neutral control and hill-hold control in a range that causes no slip of a hill-hold brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Taniguchi, Kazumasa Tsukamoto, Masahiro Hayabuchi, Masaaki Nishida, Hiroshi Tsutsui, Muneo Kusafuka, Masamichi Unoki, Junichi Nishimura
  • Patent number: 5692990
    Abstract: An automatic transmission control apparatus has a vehicle speed detector, an accelerator pedal operation detector, a brake pedal operation detector, a clutch hydraulic servo that is neutral-controlled, a brake hydraulic servo that is hill holding-controlled, and a control device for controlling the fluid pressure supplied to the two servos. The control device selectively changes the start timing of the fluid pressure supply control. If it is determined that the vehicle is stopped and that the vehicle is not on an uphill, the control device causes a pressure reducing device and a pressure supplying device to simultaneously start reducing the fluid pressure supply to the clutch servo and supplying fluid pressure to the brake servo, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Tsukamoto, Yoshihisa Yamamoto, Akihito Iwata
  • Patent number: 5634867
    Abstract: A control is provided for controlling reengagement of a master clutch (16) in a vehicular automated mechanical transmission system. A nominal reengagement rate (CLU.sub.-- RATE) is determined as a function of engine lag (K.sub.1), throttle position (THL), engine acceleration/deceleration (dES/dt) and/or input shaft acceleration/deceleration (dIS/dr). To provide smoother shifting during braking (BRK=1, THL=0) and/or coasting (THL<30%) downshifts, the clutch is reengaged at a rate slower than the nominal reengagement rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: William J. Mack
  • Patent number: 5593363
    Abstract: A drive line device for an automotive vehicle is provided which includes a transmission and a clutch consisting of a flywheel connected to an engine and a clutch disc connected to an input shaft of the transmission. The drive line device includes a brake unit which applying a brake to a given peripheral portion of the flywheel so as to synchronize rotation of the input shaft of the transmission with rotation of an output shaft of the transmission when a gear shift is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jirou Asai, Yuichi Imani, Akira Ito
  • Patent number: 5417624
    Abstract: An actuating device for a locking brake of a motor vehicle includes a reversible electric motor which drives a threaded spindle with a serrated coarse screw thread through a preferably self-locking gear connection. A spur lever having a spur which engages the screw thread is connected to a force-transmitting member which actuates the tensioning element of the locking brake. The electric motor and threaded spindle turn in one direction to set the locking brake and in the opposite direction to release the locking brake. The actuating device also includes a manually operated handbrake lever which can pivot about an axis spaced from and transverse to the longitudinal direction of the spur lever and the force-transmitting member. When the handbrake lever is pulled, an actuating lever pivotally mounted on the same axis causes the spur lever to pivot toward the brake-locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Alfons Weissbrich, Simone Ruhr
  • Patent number: 5409432
    Abstract: A control method/system for controlling upshifting in an automated mechanical transmission system (10) provided with an engine compression brake (50) is provided. A control unit (54) is effective to operate the engine compression brake during a transmission upshift such that at initiation of an upshift the engine compression brake applies a minimum retarding torque to the engine, the retarding torque is then gradually increased to a maximum retarding torque value and, upon sensing that engine speed (ES) is within a predetermined value (REF.sub.1) of the synchronous value thereof, the retarding torque applied by the engine brake is caused to gradually decrease until such time as engine speed reaches the synchronous window therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Jon A. Steeby
  • Patent number: 5323888
    Abstract: There is provided a two-speed drive unit for a motor drive, the motor drive having a housing and a main rotatable member. The two-speed drive unit comprises a two-speed drive housing secured to the motor drive housing and a secondary motor secured to the two-speed drive housing. The motor shaft of the secondary motor extends into the two-speed drive housing. An oil-shear brake, exterior to the secondary motor, is operably attached to the driveshaft of the secondary motor to effect braking. The two-speed drive unit further comprises a gear train operably associated with both the secondary motor shaft and a clutch, the clutch being disposed between the gear train and the rotatable member of the main motor drive for engagement and disengagement of the gear train with the rotatable member of the main motor drive. The clutch is normally engaged by a plurality of coil springs and disengaged by the action of an AC voltage coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Sommer Company
    Inventor: Gordon M. Sommer