Redundant Patents (Class 477/907)
  • Patent number: 8688300
    Abstract: The invention provides a hybrid vehicle and a control method thereof with which, in a case where a vehicle speed V obtained by a vehicle speed sensor equals or exceeds a first determination vehicle speed V1 at a time of occurrence of an internal combustion engine-related abnormality, which is when an abnormality relating to motors MG1 and MG2 is determined not to have occurred but an abnormality relating to an engine is determined to have occurred while the engine is operative, the motors MG1 and MG2 are controlled such that traveling torque is output to a ring gear shaft serving as a drive shaft from the motor MG2 while the engine is motored by the motor MG1 such that a crankshaft rotates at a target rotation speed until the vehicle speed V subsequently falls to or below a second determination vehicle speed V2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shigenori Takahashi, Mitsuhiro Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 8649951
    Abstract: A shifting apparatus includes an actuator to direct a travel range setting of a vehicle transmission, a selector to indicate a desired travel range setting, a transmission controller to move the actuator into the travel range setting in response to the desired travel range setting of the selector, and a restrictor to restrict an output of a drive motor if the vehicle transmission is in a travel range setting other than the desired travel range setting. A method to control a vehicle transmission includes detecting a travel range setting of the vehicle transmission, detecting a desired travel range setting of a selector, and entering a limp-home mode if the detected travel range setting is different from the desired travel range setting and a detected vehicle travel direction corresponding to the detected travel range setting is the same as a desired travel direction corresponding to the desired travel range setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Funakoshi, Hiroaki Akazawa
  • Patent number: 8473151
    Abstract: Excursion prevention methods and systems may include transmitting a speed signal from the vehicle speed sensor to the electronic control unit; transmitting a transmission signal from the transmission sensor to the electronic control unit; transmitting an accelerator pedal signal from the accelerator sensor to the electronic control unit; transmitting a brake pedal signal from the brake sensor to the electronic control unit; executing a machine readable control logic with the electronic control unit to determine if an excursion condition is present based on the speed of the vehicle, the status of the transmission, the application of the accelerator pedal of the vehicle, and the application of the brake pedal of the vehicle; and, transmitting an alert signal from the electronic control unit when the excursion condition is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Danil V Prokhorov
  • Patent number: 8357074
    Abstract: A system for robust fault detection in an electrically variable, hydraulically controlled transmission includes independently monitoring hydraulic pressure within a hydraulic control circuit and electric machine rotation for detecting clutch state faults.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Peter E. Wu, Ryan D. Martini, Syed Naqi, Jy-Jen F. Sah, Osama Almasri, Hanne Buur, Andrew M. Zettel, Charles J. Van Horn
  • Patent number: 7963882
    Abstract: A range-switching device of an automatic transmission has a control device that executes a fail-safe process of prohibiting the changing to the parking range if a parking load greater than or equal to a predetermined value occurs when the vehicle is at rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoki Nishimura
  • Patent number: 7867135
    Abstract: A system for robust fault detection in an electrically variable, hydraulically controlled transmission includes independently monitoring hydraulic pressure within a hydraulic control circuit and electric machine rotation for detecting clutch state faults.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Peter E. Wu, Ryan D Martini, Syed Naqi, Jy-Jen F. Sah, Osama Almasri, Hanne Buur, Andrew M. Zettel, Charles J Van Horn
  • Patent number: 7648440
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to control operation of an electro-mechanical torque transmission device selectively operative in one of a plurality of fixed gear modes and two continuously variable modes, and operative to transmit torque input from a plurality of torque-generative devices. The transmission device includes a hydraulic circuit and is operative in one of a plurality of operating modes by selective actuation of a plurality of hydraulically-actuated torque-transfer clutches. The method comprises monitoring pressures in the hydraulic circuit, and restricting operation of the transmission when any one of the monitored hydraulic pressures does not correspond to an expected pressure thereat. Presence of a fault is verified during the restricted operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter E. Wu, John M. Williams, Thyag Sadasiwan
  • Patent number: 7572203
    Abstract: An SBW storage of an SBW controller stores a rotational angular position of an output shaft of an electric actuator. When the SBW controller is restarted due to instantaneous power interruption, the SBW controller maintains and uses the current angular position of the output shaft, which is stored in the SBW storage device, as a latest rotational angular position of the output shaft that is used to drive a shift range change mechanism upon satisfaction of the following conditions: the electric motor has not been driven before the instantaneous power interruption, and the current rotational angular position of the output shaft, which is stored in the SBW storage device, is not destroyed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kashiwagi, Haruki Matsuzaki, Masashi Hori
  • Publication number: 20090082150
    Abstract: A system for robust fault detection in an electrically variable, hydraulically controlled transmission includes independently monitoring hydraulic pressure within a hydraulic control circuit and electric machine rotation for detecting clutch state faults.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter E. Wu, Ryan D Martini, Syed Naqi, Jy-Jen F. Sah, Osama Almasri, Hanne Buur, Andrew M. Zettel, Charles J. Van Horn
  • Patent number: 7469612
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the speed of a vehicle with the aid of sensors on board said vehicle, whereby the vehicle is moved by an engine (6) coupled to a gear box (8), wherein the speed is determined by multiplying the value of the engine rpm obtained by a sensor by a predetermined coefficient as a function of the engaged gearbox ratio. The engaged gearbox ratio is determined during a change in gearbox ratio by dividing the values of the engine rpm measured just before and after the ratio change by each another and by comparing the result of said division with predetermined stored values which are dependent upon the gear box (8) with which the vehicle is fitted. The invention can be used to determine the speed of a vehicle in a degraded mode i.e. in the event of a speed sensor failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Continental Automotive France
    Inventors: Roger Rouphael, Benoit Hamm
  • Patent number: 7470214
    Abstract: Electric-motor drive control means controls a clutch engaging/disengaging actuator including two electric motors. When a vehicle starts moving or changes gears, the electric-motor drive control means drives both of the two electric motors in drive modes that require high responsiveness from an automatic clutch device and drives the two electric motors alternately in other drive modes that do not require high responsiveness. Malfunctions of the electric motors are detected during the operation. When one of the electric motors malfunctions, a warning is issued and the actuator is driven with the other electric motor that is normal. When both of the electric motors malfunction, a warning prompting a driver to stop the vehicle is issued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Kumazawa
  • Patent number: 7287444
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods of controlling the pressure in a modulation pressure circuit through transmission fluid through an orificed check valve supplementary or in substitution of a computer-controlled pressure regulation solenoid. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Inventor: Gary S. Carne
  • Patent number: 7285074
    Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a motor vehicle drive train determine the direction of rotation of the drive train by evaluating sensor signals of a first sensor unit on the output side of the drive train. The first sensor unit includes a sensor wheel fastened to a rotatable component on the output side of the drive train and two rotational speed sensors which are fixed with respect to a housing and are placed circumferentially next to one another. In order to speed up the determination of the direction of rotation, the sensor signal of a second sensor unit on the input side of the drive train is evaluated. The second sensor unit includes a sensor wheel that is fastened to a rotatable component on the input side of the drive train and a rotational speed sensor that is fixed with respect to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Volker Gärtner, Armin Tonn, Alwin Becher, Klaus Leipnitz, Edgar Bothe
  • Patent number: 7044889
    Abstract: A control system, method for control, and control software for operating a startup shift element of an automated motor vehicle transmission or automatic transmission capable of electro-hydraulic or electro-pneumatic actuation with an electronic transmission control device, whereby the startup shift element may be shifted hydraulically or pneumatically in emergency mode even if the electronic control device fails. The control system includes a transmission-independent control module, and a emergency-operation mode shift valve capable of electrical triggering, that controls the hydraulic or pneumatic actuation device of the startup shift element. If the transmission-independent control module fails during transmission emergency-mode operation, the startup shift element is capable of actuation by means of the electrical triggering of the emergency-operation mode shift valve via the transmission-independent control module. This may particularly control a motor-vehicle startup procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Dirk Habeck
  • Patent number: 6935203
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for determining the gear selection utilizing a selection lever in an automatic transmission having at least two units (10, 12) for detecting the selection lever position (14, 16, 18, 20, 22). Each unit (10, 12) generates a signal corresponding to the detected selection lever position (14, 16, 18, 20, 22). The system also has a device for evaluating the signals. Based on the signals, the gear selection can be determined while considering plausibility rules. The invention relates further to a method for determining the gear selection utilizing a selection lever in an automatic transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard von Haeften, Klaus Ries-Mueller, Joachim Luh
  • Patent number: 6928896
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuating device for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle. To allow the motor vehicle to be operated safely and managed conveniently, the invention makes provision for the actuating device to have not only a first device, by which a parking interlock can be engaged and released in normal operation of the actuating device, but also a second device, by which the parking interlock can be engaged in the event of a malfunction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Martin Burgbacher, Jens Dorfschmid, Hans-Peter Fiederlein, Harald Nauerz, Joern-Marten Ohle
  • Patent number: 6845683
    Abstract: A shifting mechanism includes a limit switch that sends an open-close signal of the switch contacts SW1, SW2, SW3 and SW4 out to a control mechanism according to a 2H-4H-N-4L shifting sequence. The switch contacts SW1 and SW2 detect the position of a slider 4H which is moved by a thrust actuator, during shifting in the range of 4H engagement to the range of N engagement. Therefore, if one of the switch contacts SW1 and SW2 is faulty, the other switch detects shifting between 4H and N. This prevents shifting into N over 4H, thereby preventing malfunction of the thrust actuator resulting from a faulty switch contact SW1 or SW2. This also avoids potential difficulties in vehicle control due to shifting characteristics and permits the maintaining of controlled driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Tarui, Hideo Hattori, Kiyoshi Kimura
  • Patent number: 6567735
    Abstract: A method of shortening response time during a gear shifting operation process is applicable to a semi-automatic, electronically controlled transmission of motor vehicles, in particular utility vehicles, takes into account a driver's reaction time to reduce delay in clutch re-engagement. To initiate a gear-shifting operation in such a transmission, the driver actuates a shifting command emitter and at the same time disengages a clutch typically by depressing a clutch pedal. In response thereto, a newly selected gear is engaged in the transmission by an electronic system using outside force assistance, for example compressed fluid. The driver is informed via an acknowledgment device when the clutch can be properly engaged once more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Wabco GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Bortfeld, Alfred Klatt, Uwe Winkelholz
  • Patent number: 6324459
    Abstract: An abrupt start prevention system for vehicles includes a signal input means for receiving engine rpm signals, vehicle speed signals, throttle valve position signals, and primary brake signals. According to the signals, an engine controller outputs control signals to control various elements of an engine according to the signals received from the signal input means. An element driver receives the control signals from the engine controller and driving various elements of the engine according to the control signals. Secondary brake signals are further transmitted to the signal input means so that the engine controller can identify a brake pedal depression even when one of the primary brake signals is not transmitted to the signal input means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jae-Yoon Jung
  • Patent number: 6298282
    Abstract: A method of detecting object scratching during robotic arm movement of the object. The method includes providing a robotic arm for grasping and placing of an object into a cassette and providing a cassette having an entrance for receiving an object therein. A vibration sensor is placed on at least one of the robotic arm or under the cassette control of the robotic arm is provided in response to a malfunction indication at least one of the vibration sensors. There can further be provided an air flow across the entrance of the cassette with placement of a particle counter at the downstream end of the air flow across cassette entrance, wherein the control of said robotic arm is provided in response to a malfunction indication at least one of the vibration sensors and the particle counter. The control can also be provided in response to both of the vibration sensors or one or both of the vibration sensors and the particle counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard L. Guldi, Robin D. Worley, Keith W. Melcher
  • Patent number: 6067492
    Abstract: A display system for an automatic transmission including: a first range switching mechanism for switching a shift range by a mechanical operation; and a second range switching mechanism activated by electric enabling mechanism for switching the shift range by an electric operation. The display system comprises: a first display device for displaying the shift range which is selected by the first range switching mechanism; a second display device for displaying the active state of the enabling mechanism; and a third display device for displaying the shift range which is selected by the second range switching mechanism activated by the enabling mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Hideo Tomomatsu, Haruyuki Kodera, Kenji Niwa
  • Patent number: 5916292
    Abstract: A method of shifting in a manual mode of an electronically-controlled automatic transmission system includes the steps of determining whether a shift lever of a shift lever mechanism is presenting a position error when the shift lever is in a manual position, determining whether at least one switch on the shift, lever mechanism is presenting an error if a shift lever position, error is not determined, determining whether a temperature of an, automatic transmission or engine coolant temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold if the at least one switch is not presenting an error, determining whether the manual position conditions have been met, determining whether an upshift or downshift of the automatic transmission is scheduled if the manual position conditions have been met, and executing either an upshift or a downshift of the automatic transmission based on the determined upshift or downshift being scheduled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Nabil M. Issa, Howard L. Benford
  • Patent number: 5888166
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus control a car equipped with an automatic transmission having a lockup clutch. When the lockup clutch is in the lockup state, a variation of a generated torque is detected. When the range of the torque variation detected exceeds a predetermined value, an engine torque is reduced by controlling the engine, and the automatic transmission is controlled to compensate for a reduction of the driving torque due to a reduction of the engine torque. Thus, the speed change ratio is changed to the low gear side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Yutaka Nishimura, Ken'ichi Kawashima, Hiroshi Kuroiwa, Masahiko Ibamoto
  • Patent number: 5696679
    Abstract: An electronically actuated park control system for an automatic transmission for a wheeled vehicle including a transmission range selection control assembly that sends to a powertrain control module a park signal, the module being adapted to deliver an output signal to a park controller circuit for actuating electric actuator motors which activate a mechanical transmission park mechanism, the motors having position feedback monitoring features as the transmission park mechanism is engaged or disengaged, the controller and the park controller circuit having inherent design redundancies as well as independent watchdog circuitry that ensure that transmission park release or park application responds precisely to transmission range selector requests by the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Edward Marshall, Eldon LaMar Goates
  • Patent number: 5680307
    Abstract: A method of shifting in a manual mode of an electronically-controlled automatic transmission system includes the steps of determining whether a shift lever of a shift lever mechanism is presenting a position error when the shift lever is in a manual position, determining whether at least one switch on the shift lever mechanism is presenting an error if a shift lever position error is not determined, determining whether a temperature of an automatic transmission or engine coolant temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold if the at least one switch is not presenting an error, determining whether the manual position conditions have been met, determining whether an upshift or downshift of the automatic transmission is scheduled if the manual position conditions have been met, and executing either an upshift or a downshift of the automatic transmission based on the determined upshift or downshift being scheduled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Nabil M. Issa, Howard L. Benford
  • Patent number: 5415605
    Abstract: A power train control system includes an automatic transmission shift control which detects an operational failure of an electric throttle valve based on an electric throttle opening. The transmission shift control governs or controls shifting of the automatic transmission, based on an electric throttle opening and a vehicle speed when no operational failure of the electric throttle valve is detected and based on a composite opening of an electric throttle opening and a mechanical throttle opening and a vehicle speed when operational failure of the electric throttle valve is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yoshimura, Keiji Bota
  • Patent number: 5366424
    Abstract: A power train control system for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. Opening of a throttle valve is electrically controlled in response to an accelerator pedal depression signal generated by an accelerator pedal position sensor and indicating depression depth of an accelerator pedal. A backup operation control of the engine is performed by controlling an auxiliary air flow which bypasses the throttle valve in dependence on the accelerator pedal depression signal upon occurrence of abnormality in a throttle valve control system. During the backup operation, a speed range shift pattern of an automatic transmission is changed over to a backup operation oriented pattern from a normal operation oriented pattern. The power train control system allows the motor vehicle to run even when a failure occurs in the throttle valve or a throttle control system in the fully closed state of the throttle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Seiji Wataya