Transmission Control Patents (Class 701/51)
  • Patent number: 9551418
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for reducing engine flywheel power reduction of an engine while protecting a drivetrain. The method includes monitoring transmission gear selection; determining reduction in flywheel power to protect the drivetrain; and monitoring engine power consumption by other engine power loads. When other engine power loads consume less power than the reduction in flywheel power to protect the drivetrain, the method includes reducing flywheel power by the power difference. When other engine power loads consume the same or more power than the reduction in flywheel power to protect the drivetrain, the method includes not reducing the flywheel power. Engine power can be consumed by both on-vehicle and off-vehicle power loads. Engine power can be consumed by an electric generator and/or a plurality of inverters, and their power consumption can be monitored. Information and commands can be communicated over a controller area network (CAN) bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven A. Duppong, Adam Faucher, Steven C. Young, Andrew K. Rekow, Colin A. MacDonald, Udo Scheff, Steve P. Robisky
  • Patent number: 9533572
    Abstract: A control apparatus of a vehicle includes a detector to detect an opening degree of an accelerator, a controller to adjust a reaction force of the accelerator, wherein the controller is configured to increase the reaction force of the accelerator when the accelerator opening degree exceeds a threshold value, a first threshold value corresponding to a first vehicle driving force, and a second threshold value corresponding to a second vehicle driving force that is larger than the first vehicle deriving force, wherein the first threshold value is higher than the second threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Sakaguchi, Masao Shiomi, Kenichi Tamura
  • Patent number: 9533675
    Abstract: A method for controlling the battery of a mild hybrid vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention, includes: a first step of detecting the traffic conditions based on the driving state of the vehicle; and a second step of adjusting the target SOC of an energy storage device based on the detected traffic conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: In Gyu Jang
  • Patent number: 9528599
    Abstract: A method and electronic control unit are provided for controlling an automatic transmission by way of the electronic control unit in a motor vehicle during a skidding turn, during which the motor vehicle first travels straight with a velocity above a predefined threshold value or within a predefined range with the reverse gearspeed engaged and, subsequently, experiences a defined steering jolt, by means of which a rotational movement is initiated. When a defined rotational angle is exceeded, the automatic transmission is automatically shifted from the reverse gearspeed into a neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Norbert Fischer
  • Patent number: 9512889
    Abstract: A transmission clutch control method includes defining a transfer function relating clutch torque to a control signal under transmission operating conditions; determining a target clutch torque for current operating conditions; determining the target control signal from the transfer function to produce target torque at the clutch; correcting clutch torque on the basis of a difference between the target clutch torque and the actual torque at the clutch by adjusting the control signal; calculating actual clutch torque with reference to transmission input torque and transmission output torque; computing a clutch torque error as a difference between calculated clutch torque and the target clutch torque; and repetitively adjusting the transfer function on the basis of the clutch torque error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory M. Pietron, Diana Yanakiev, Yuji Fujii, Joseph F. Kucharski, Nimrod Kapas
  • Patent number: 9470706
    Abstract: An apparatus that determines that a vehicle has moved comprises a shaft member, a pin configured to attach the shaft member to a backing plate via an opening in the shaft member that enables the shaft member to move in a direction along the length of the shaft member, to rotate about the pin, and to contact a surface external to the vehicle when the shaft member is in a first position. The apparatus also comprises a first alignment magnet that attracts the shaft member to the surface external to the vehicle and a first sensor that determines that the shaft member is in the first position. The apparatus further comprises a first holding magnet, a second holding magnet, and at least one sensor that indicates that the shaft member is in contact with the first holding magnet or the second holding magnet, each indicating a direction of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Thales Canada Inc
    Inventors: David Dimmer, Abe Kanner
  • Patent number: 9435434
    Abstract: A transmission controller determines whether or not to downshift a sub-transmission mechanism based on an opening and an opening speed of an accelerator pedal and a torque change rate of an engine, and downshifts the sub-transmission mechanism when a determination is made to downshift the sub-transmission mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO.,LTD.
    Inventors: Mamiko Inoue, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Takuichiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 9404570
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an automated gearbox of an automotive vehicle that is adapted to work in a first automatic mode and at least one second driver initiated mode which is different from the first mode. This method includes monitoring the vehicle driving behavior is monitored, analyzing the vehicle driving behavior is and determining it to be satisfactory or non satisfactory and, when the driver requests switch of the automatic gearbox from the first mode to the second mode, the switch order is followed only if the vehicle driving behavior is determined to be satisfactory, and/or, when the automated gearbox is in a second driver initiated mode, causing a switch of the gearbox to a first automatic mode if the vehicle driving behavior is determined to be non-satisfactory. The system includes an arrangement to automatically perform these steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Renault Trucks
    Inventor: Raphael Ribero
  • Patent number: 9376108
    Abstract: A method and system of providing steering in cruise control, in low friction conditions, at low speed and in low range. Speed of individual vehicle wheels is repeatedly and automatically adjusted to ensure that the actual rate of turn of the vehicle approaches the theoretical rate of turn as demanded by the vehicle driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Fairgrieve, James Kelly, Daniel Woolliscroft
  • Patent number: 9376016
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a motor vehicle having at least one drive unit in the form of an internal combustion engine that is actuated by an accelerator pedal and a control unit that interacts with the accelerator pedal. Haptic feedback on the accelerator pedal indicates to a driver that a defined action causing a change in the driving mode is about to be initiated and carried out. The haptic feedback is realized as idle travel defined in a characteristic curve stored in the control unit of the accelerator pedal proceeding from the specific accelerator pedal travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Siegfried Lahm
  • Patent number: 9371065
    Abstract: A method of controlling a transmission includes determining if the transmission is currently executing a first torque controlled shift from a first gear ratio to a second gear ratio. A torque controlled shift is defined as a shift control operation in which the speed of the engine is controlled to perform a shift operation. When a second torque controlled shift is detected while the transmission is currently executing the first torque controlled shift, a dual torque controlled shift strategy is executed, which merges a first shift control strategy for executing the first torque controlled shift with a second shift control strategy for executing the second torque controlled shift. The dual torque controlled shift strategy seamlessly executes the first torque controlled shift and the second torque controlled shift without a time delay and engine torque disruption therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Harinath Atmaram, Brian H Fiore, David Szpara
  • Patent number: 9347555
    Abstract: A variator lockout valve system for a continuously variable transmission includes a pair of shift valves. Each shift valve has at least one port that is fluidly coupled to a variator of the continuously variable transmission. Electro-hydraulic actuators control the position of each of the shift valves. When the shift valves are in one position, pressure control valves supply fluid pressure to the variator. If one of the shift valves is in another position, one of the pressure control valves is blocked from supplying fluid pressure to the variator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Darren J. Weber, John William Edward Fuller
  • Patent number: 9328819
    Abstract: A voting strategy is used to determine the mode state of a transmission when a vehicle is restarted. The transmission includes a return to park feature and a controller including at least three memories. The controller is configured to write a remembered mode state into each memory. The remembered mode state is one of a Normal mode state that allows the transmission to automatically shift to Park, a hold mode state that causes the transmission to remain in Neutral and not automatically shift to Park upon detecting a triggering event or other mode states. The controller reads each memory and, when at least two of the remembered mode states are the same mode state, causes the transmission to enter a mode state corresponding to the same mode state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Deurloo, Mark Edward Zyskowski, Christopher Lee Danks, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Tumavitch
  • Patent number: 9327733
    Abstract: A method of controlling a clutch-to-clutch power-on upshift of a transmission includes defining a possible engine torque as a latched possible engine torque value. An on-coming clutch torque phase target value is defined as a latched on-coming clutch torque value, and held constant until a final ramp. A commanded engine torque is reduced and maintained to a maximum torque reduction value until a shift completion ratio is achieved. The commanded engine torque is increased until the commanded engine torque is equal to a restore ramp target value. Both the on-coming clutch torque and the commanded engine torque are simultaneously increased at a final ramp rate, such that the increase in the on-coming clutch torque parallels the increase in the commanded engine torque, until an actual engine torque is substantially equal to the possible engine torque, to complete the shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James L. Abington, Matthew Kempeinen, Paul R. Peterson, Matthew D. Whitton, Craig J. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 9302668
    Abstract: A control device of the invention is applied for a hybrid vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine, a motor and a rotational position detector to detect a rotational position of a rotary shaft of the motor. The control device performs a procedure for obtaining an offset amount according to a request for obtaining the offset amount, which offset amount is a difference between a detected rotational position of the rotary shaft with the rotational position detector and an actual rotational position of the rotary shaft. The control device is configured to perform the procedure for obtaining the offset amount while the engine is running, when the vehicle stops and the control device determines that there is the request for obtaining the offset amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hichirosai Oyobe, Kenji Yamada
  • Patent number: 9299337
    Abstract: An engine harmonic enhancement system. The EHE system uses multiple parameters, such as engine load, gear, number of cylinders operating, and transmission ratio, to determine EHE gains to determine EHE gain. The EHE system determines a separate EHE gain for each harmonic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Cristian M. Hera, Dennis D. Klug
  • Patent number: 9285031
    Abstract: A method for controlling a variator of a continuously variable transmission includes combining, by a controller, a periodically repeating excitation signal and a desired variator speed ratio signal. A variator ratio derivative is determined based upon the desired variator speed ratio signal combined with the excitation signal. A variator control parameter is determined based upon the variator ratio derivative. The variator control parameter is sent to the controller for controlling the variator in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Paul G. Otanez
  • Patent number: 9278698
    Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to an apparatus for limiting engine speed using any one of multiple engine components. The apparatus includes a user interface manually actuable to select at least one of the multiple engine components for limiting engine speed. The user interface includes an identification signal generator and transmitter that is configured to, upon selection of the multiple engine component(s), generate and transmit an identification signal that identifies the engine component(s) that was selected. The apparatus also includes a controller that is configured to, upon receipt of the identification signal, provide an instruction to the identified engine component(s), such that the identified engine component(s) operates to limit engine speed upon occurrence of conditions warranting that engine speed be limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dan Nagashima
  • Patent number: 9263058
    Abstract: A vehicle based system and method for receiving voice inputs and determining whether to perform a voice recognition analysis using in-vehicle resources or resources external to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ritchie Winson Huang, Pedram Vaghefinazari, Stuart Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9251839
    Abstract: A data storage device coupled to a host power supply is disclosed and includes a spindle motor and Voice Coil Motor (VCM) circuitry, a power device coupled to the host power supply via a first host supply line and coupled to the spindle motor and VCM circuitry, wherein the power device comprises a first voltage rail, a first isolation circuit, and control circuitry, wherein the power device receives a first supply voltage on the first voltage rail via the first host supply line and provides the first supply voltage to the spindle motor and VCM circuitry via the first isolation circuit, and wherein the control circuitry is operable to monitor the first voltage rail for an overvoltage event and, when the overvoltage event is detected, control the first isolation circuit to disconnect the spindle motor and VCM circuitry from the first voltage rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Agness, William K. Laird, Henry S. Ung, Andre Pratama, Ronald G. Gayler
  • Patent number: 9239243
    Abstract: A vehicle navigation system having a database configured to store map data. The database includes links corresponding to road segments and attributes associated with the links. The map data includes at least some links associated with a curvature attribute. A mean absolute curvature ( ?) is stored for the curvature attribute for corresponding links. The mean absolute curvature ( ?) may be determined from a normalized sum or integral of absolute curvature values along the road segment corresponding to the link. The system includes a processing unit configured to estimate an energy consumption of the vehicle for a link using the curvature attribute retrieved from the database for the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Engelhardt, Sebastian Kluge
  • Patent number: 9227647
    Abstract: A manually propelled vehicle includes a vehicle body; a wheel for moving the vehicle body; a force sensor that detects an operating force and outputs sensor data; a distance measuring sensor that measures a distance between the manually propelled vehicle and a user and outputs sensor data; and a controller including a processor that receives the sensor data of the force sensor and the sensor data of the distance measuring sensor and a wheel drive controller that controls driving and braking of the wheel based on an output of the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Masaki, Atsushi Kojina, Takahiro Katayama
  • Patent number: 9229712
    Abstract: A bicycle component control apparatus is basically provided with a communication interface and a controller. The communication interface is configured to communicate with at least one electric bicycle component and at least one manually operated input member. The controller is electrically coupled to the communication interface, and programmed to control the at least one electric bicycle component based on operation of the at least one manually operated input member. The controller is programmed to decide an operation mode of the at least one electric bicycle component differently based on a number of manually operated input member coupled to the controller via the communication interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Ryuichiro Takamoto, Mao Kuroda
  • Patent number: 9227514
    Abstract: A method for adapting an engine-braking simulation for a vehicle provided with a regenerative braking device includes generating an arbitrated braking signal based on a simulated engine-braking signal developed on the basis of signals output from an acceleration pedal, and based on at least one signal output from at least one active safety system. The method also includes generating a braking instruction intended for the regenerative braking device by time filtration of the arbitrated braking signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Nicolas Gouhier, Yann Chazal, Jean-Marie Vespasien, Sebastien Foot, Walter Francesconi
  • Patent number: 9221309
    Abstract: Embodiments can provide a system, a wheel localizer, a wheel localization device, a method or a computer program for locating a position of wheel. The system for locating the position of the wheel on the vehicle includes a detector for obtaining information related to a state of movement of the vehicle and a locator for determining the position of the wheel based on the information related to the state of movement of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Michael Kandler
  • Patent number: 9212743
    Abstract: A speed ratio containment process limits the speed ratio of a variator for a CVT for a motor vehicle when rolling backward by commanding a speed ratio that is higher than the actual speed ratio in an overdrive direction. Accordingly, the actual speed ratio moves to a lowest limit, which provides maximum torque when a driver of the motor vehicle steps on the accelerator pedal to resume forward motion of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Zhe Xie, Vijay A. Neelakantan
  • Patent number: 9199635
    Abstract: A vehicle may include at least one electric machine, a traction battery, and a voltage boost converter electrically connecting the at least one electric machine and traction battery. The vehicle may further include at least one controller programmed to, in response to a request for drive mode while in a passive neutral mode, enable the boost converter and drive an output voltage of the boost converter to a predetermined target. The controller may be further programmed to, in response to the output voltage achieving the predetermined target, enable the at least one electric machine and drive a current through the at least one electric machine to zero such that an output torque of the at least one electric machine is approximately zero; and in response to the current achieving approximately zero, increase the current through the at least one electric machine such that the output torque is greater than zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Andrew Butcher, Paul Stephen Bryan, Carol Louise Okubo
  • Patent number: 9194484
    Abstract: A control system for a transmission of a vehicle includes a first angular rotation module, a second angular rotation module, and a lash module. The first angular rotation module determines a first angular rotation of a first shaft during a first predetermined period based on a first signal generated by a first shaft sensor. The second angular rotation module determines a second angular rotation of a second shaft during the first predetermined period based on a second signal generated by a second shaft sensor. The lash module selectively detects lash between gears of the transmission based on the first angular rotation and the second angular rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dongxu Li, Timothy R. Stockdale
  • Patent number: 9181995
    Abstract: A hydraulically actuated clutch is controlled based on a mathematical model that predicts the position of the clutch piston based on the profile of the commanded pressure over time. During a clutch engagement, a set of delays associated with the preparatory phase of engagement are measured and compared to predicted values. Model parameters are then adaptively adjusted based on the differences between the measured and predicted delays and on an estimate of the sensitivities between model parameters and the delays. Subsequent engagements are controlled based on the updated mathematical model to reduce the delays. Changes in the measured delays following adaptation of the model parameters are utilized to update the estimate of the sensitivities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sarah Thornton, Diana Yanakiev, Dimitar Petrov Filev, Yan Wang, Anuradha Annaswamy, Gregory Michael Pietron
  • Patent number: 9182035
    Abstract: A shift control apparatus for a vehicle may include a GPS sensor detecting a vehicle location, a navigation device outputting short-distance road information and long-distance road information using the vehicle location, a vehicle controller restoring forward road information using the short-distance road information and the long-distance road information, and determining a degree of curve and an average degree of inclination of a road using the forward road information, and a vehicle shifting unit having a shift controller controlling a shift pattern of a transmission using the degree of curve and the average degree of inclination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dong Hoon Jeong, Joseph D. Chang, Byeong Wook Jeon
  • Patent number: 9168896
    Abstract: A vehicle driving control system and method for selecting a driving pattern using a predetermined program (or application) and for operating vehicle driving via a terminal that provides driving information of the selected driving pattern. The vehicle driving control system may include a terminal configured to transmit a selected driving pattern mode and driving pattern control information on the selected driving pattern mode to a vehicle controller when a predetermined vehicle driving pattern control program is executed. A vehicle controller is configured to operate an object of a vehicle related to driving based on the driving pattern mode and the driving pattern control information transmitted by the terminal. A transceiver is configured to transmit and receive signals between the terminal and the vehicle controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Sang Joon Kim
  • Patent number: 9169924
    Abstract: A control device for controlling an automatic transmission determines whether a fluid pressure of the operation fluid acting on a friction engagement element that is switched from a released-state to an engaged-state is in a fully-decreased state. If determined that the fluid pressure is not in a fully-decreased state, control of a manual valve is delayed. In such manner, the hydraulic circuit is switched by the manual valve after the full decrease of the fluid pressure of the operation fluid acting on the just-engaged friction engagement element. As a result, an abrupt rise of the fluid pressure is prevented and a shock in the automatic transmission is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Nagata, Fuminori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9157524
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission includes a main transmission, a sub-transmission, a sub-transmission shift position sensor, and a map switching device. The main transmission is an automatic transmission configured to perform gear shifting according to a gear shift map selected between a first gear shift map and a second gear shift map in accordance with a throttle opening degree and a vehicle speed. The sub-transmission is configured to change rotational speed of rotational drive force output from the main transmission by manually selecting a sub-transmission gear position between a drive position and a low position having a reduction ratio larger than a reduction ratio of the drive position. The map switching device is configured to perform switching between the first gear shift map and the second gear shift map in accordance with sensing signals from the sub-transmission shift position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Nozaki, Kousuke Tsunashima, Eiji Kittaka
  • Patent number: 9157523
    Abstract: A bicycle component actuation apparatus basically comprises a base member; a user operating member and a controller. The user operating member is movably mounted to the base member from a rest position to a first operated position. The controller detects operation of the user operating member to operate first and second electric components, one of which is not a shifting device. The controller operates one of the first and second electric components upon the controller detecting the user operating member being moved to the first operated position. The controller operates at least the other of the first and second electric components upon the controller detecting the user operating member remaining at the first operated position for a period of time longer than a first prescribed time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Miki, Kentaro Kosaka, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Patent number: 9140358
    Abstract: An automatic transmission includes an input member, a planetary gear set, a plurality of engagement mechanisms, an output member, a shift position detecting unit, an input rotational speed detecting unit, a control unit, and a switching mechanism. When a shift position is changed from a forward drive range to a reverse drive range, the control unit performs a reverse preparation mode in which a rotational speed of an element to be fixed by the switching mechanism is lower than or equal to a predetermined speed by setting an engagement mechanism in one of a connection mode and a fixed mode. Upon performing the reverse preparation mode, the control unit engages the engagement mechanism that connects the element fixed by the switching mechanism to the input member and, thereafter, engages the engagement mechanism that makes the rotational speed of the input member lower than or equal to the predetermined speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuya Tachibanada, Yutaka Ishikawa, Soichi Sugino, Naomichi Tonokura, Nobuyuki Watanabe, Takashi Ohtani, Mitsuo Ueda
  • Patent number: 9139981
    Abstract: A system for derating rimpull on a machine, and a related method and computer program product are disclosed. The system may comprise a one or more front wheels, one or more rear wheels, one or more front powertrains, one or more rear powertrains, a hydraulic system, an engine, and a controller. The controller configured to determine a Total Rimpull Derate for the machine, determine a Final Rear Derate Amount, derate rear wheel rimpull by the Final Rear Derate Amount, and, if the Final Rear Derate Amount is less than the Total Rimpull Derate for the machine, derate front wheel rimpull by the Shortfall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Mitchell, Mark A. Robinson, Sameer S. Marathe
  • Patent number: 9140555
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for resolving erroneous movement signals and for providing navigation instructions. One of the methods includes receiving data from two or more sensors, synchronizing the received data, determining a first subset of the synchronized data from the camera for a particular period of time and a second subset of the synchronized data from the other sensor for the particular period of time, comparing the first subset with the second subset to determine whether the first subset and the second subset indicate an erroneous movement signal, based on determining that the first subset and the second subset indicate an erroneous movement signal, selecting data for one of the sensors based on a sensor priority scheme for the sensors, and resolving the erroneous movement signal based on the selected data for the one of the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Eve Astrid Andersson, Casey John Burkhardt, John Ove Peter Nilsson Lundblad, David Tseng, Charles L. Chen, Ying Zheng, Tiruvilwamalai Venkatram Raman
  • Patent number: 9132811
    Abstract: A system and method for improving the consistency of a hybrid vehicle parking pawl engagement control. A hybrid vehicle includes a motor-generator, a planetary gear, a parking pawl, and a processor. The hybrid vehicle uses feedback to more accurately determine that the parking pawl is fully engaged. The parking pawl is applied to the planetary gear. The processor determines a target movement for the hybrid vehicle and commands a torque from the motor-generator to achieve the target movement. The processor determines that the parking pawl has fully engaged and locked the planetary gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad E. Dufford, Heraldo F. Stefanon
  • Patent number: 9115804
    Abstract: There is provided a shift range switching apparatus that can perform appropriate fail-safe control when a power source supplied to an electronically controlled shift range switching apparatus is instantaneously interrupted. When due to instantaneous interruption of a power source supplied to the shift range switching apparatus, the shift range switching apparatus is reactivated, a target shift range is determined based on a rotation position of a detent plate detected by a detent position sensor immediately after the reactivation, and the rotation position of the detent plate is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiko Ono
  • Patent number: 9108633
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain with an engine, motor/generator, a belt drive train, a starting mechanism and one or more switching devices for one or more energy storage devices has at least one electronic controller that executes a stored algorithm and controls the hybrid powertrain in accordance with the stored algorithm to establish multiple operating modes including an operating mode in which a first switching device establishes an electrical connection between a first energy storage device and the motor/generator. The operating mode established can be dependent upon a parameter of the first energy storage device, a parameter of the control system, a parameter of the motor/generator, and/or a parameter of said at least one actuator. For example, the stored algorithm can control the hybrid powertrain based on a capacity to restart the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Venkata Prasad Atluri, Chandra S. Namuduri, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Alan G. Holmes, William R. Cawthorne
  • Patent number: 9103440
    Abstract: A motor vehicle drive train device has a multi-group transmission that includes a main group, a front-mounted group upstream from the main group, and/or a downstream group downstream from the main group, and a control/regulation unit. The motor vehicle drive train device is provided for shifting, at least in one transmission gear change operation, the front-mounted group and/or the downstream group into neutral before engaging a target gear in the main group. The control/regulation unit is provided for shifting the front-mounted group and/or the downstream group into neutral in the transmission gear change operation only after at least partial synchronization of the main group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Diamler AG
    Inventors: Juergen Hertlein, Andreas Klaus, David Ulmer
  • Patent number: 9106091
    Abstract: A vehicle that is chargeable using power from an external power source includes: a chargeable electric storage device; a charging device that charges the electric storage device by using the power from the external power source; and a control device that, based on maximum supply power that is able to be supplied to the electric storage device and based on actual charge power actually supplied to the electric storage device, calculates a shortfall with respect to charge power supplied to the electric storage device in a case where charging is performed at the maximum supply power, and stores information relating to a causal factor for the shortfall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, FUJITSU TEN LIMITED
    Inventors: Noritake Mitsutani, Taiki Kado
  • Patent number: 9096231
    Abstract: A rollback prevention system is disclosed for use with a mobile machine having an engine and a transmission. The rollback prevention system may have an input device configured to receive an input indicative of a desired travel direction of the mobile machine, a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an actual travel direction of the mobile machine, and a controller in communication with the input device, the sensor, the engine, and the transmission. The controller may be configured to make a determination that the actual travel direction of the mobile machine is opposite the desired travel direction based on the signal, and determine a load on the transmission. The controller may also be configured to selectively increase a torque output of the transmission based on the determination only when the load on the transmission is less than a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: SriVidya Lavanya Kamisetty, Brian Douglas Hoff
  • Patent number: 9090249
    Abstract: A shift control device for a continuously-variable transmission has operation condition detecting means, which detect the operation conditions of a vehicle, a control means, which controls the transmission ratio of the continuously-variable transmission based on the operation conditions, an acceleration demand identifying means, which identifies whether acceleration is demanded by the driver, a linear mode setting means, which, based on the demand for acceleration, sets a linear mode, which provides the transmission ratio such that the input revolution speed of the continuously-variable transmission becomes high compared to a normal mode at the same vehicle speed, a front/rear G detecting means, which detects the front/rear G of the vehicle, and a linear mode cancelling means, which, when it is identified that acceleration is not demanded based on the front/rear G during drive in the linear mode, cancels the linear mode even under conditions to carry out the linear mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9086144
    Abstract: A transmission controller detects a rotation speed of an input shaft, calculates an inertia torque input to a continuously variable transmission based on a change ratio of the detected rotation speed, obtains a positive inertia torque by extracting a positive portion from the calculated inertia torque, and corrects pulley pressures based on the extracted positive inertia torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seiichiro Takahashi, Takashi Eguchi, Takahiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9080661
    Abstract: A vehicle control device that includes a computer which controls an in-vehicle device provided in a vehicle. The control device can be configured with a main processing unit that performs a process for operating the in-vehicle device, and a safety function processing unit that performs a safety function process for detecting a dangerous state of the in-vehicle device which is operated according to the process performed by the main processing unit and bringing the in-vehicle device into a safe state. The safety function processing unit may include execution order monitoring means for monitoring whether an execution order of the safety function process is correct when the safety function process is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsunekazu Inakura, Tetsuya Sano, Takahiro Mizumoto, Masatoshi Taguchi
  • Patent number: 9081665
    Abstract: A solid-state mass storage device for use with host computer systems, and methods of increasing the endurance of non-volatile memory components thereof that define a first non-volatile memory space. The mass storage device further has a second non-volatile memory space containing at least one non-volatile memory component having a higher write endurance than the memory components of the first non-volatile memory space. The second non-volatile memory space functions as a low-pass filter for host writes to the first non-volatile memory space to minimize read accesses to the first non-volatile memory space. Contents of the second non-volatile memory space are managed using a change counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: OCZ Storage Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Franz Michael Schuette, Yaron Klein, Hyun Mo Chung
  • Patent number: 9067584
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a differential gear including a sun gear, a carrier, and a ring gear, motor generators coupled to the sun gear, an engine coupled to the carrier, and a wheel coupled to the ring gear. The vehicle includes an ECU that stops the engine upon operation of a start switch by a driver, and a brake that brakes the sun gear upon operation of the start switch while the vehicle is traveling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideaki Yaguchi, Takeshi Hoshiba, Akihiro Kimura, Masahiro Naito
  • Patent number: 9067571
    Abstract: Disclosed is a travel control device which controls the travel of a vehicle. The travel control device includes an acquisition unit which acquires a stability speed limit pattern indicating an upper speed limit, within which the vehicle is travelable without departing from a scheduled travel road, and a travel control adjustment unit which adjusts travel control using a target speed pattern indicating a target speed on the basis of the stability speed limit pattern and an actual speed. Therefore, it is possible to satisfy driving conditions desired by a user while ensuring travel stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaki Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 9058020
    Abstract: A mechanism for advancing, by periodic jumps, a cage of an escapement mechanism, including: a pivoting retaining mechanism authorizing or preventing pivoting of the cage, depending on whether the retaining mechanism is moving or not; and a stopping mechanism cooperating with the retaining mechanism to allow or prevent the pivoting of the retaining mechanism according to the position of the stopping mechanism. The trajectory of the retaining mechanism interferes with that of the stopping mechanism, both being external to the cage, and the retaining mechanism includes a flirt pinion carrying a flirt arranged to cooperate with the stopping mechanism and whose trajectory interferes with the stopping mechanism, the flirt pinion cooperating with a toothing of the cage, via an inverter wheel set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Blancpain SA
    Inventor: Marco Rochat