Transmission Control Patents (Class 701/51)
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Patent number: 9045125Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vehicle powertrain having a transmission to improve shift quality to detect the start of a torque phase of the shift based on a measured transmission input shaft torque. A torque sensor provides a signal to a controller that monitors initial rise time of the measured transmission input shaft torque. The torque sensor may be implemented by a strain gauge, a piezoelectric load cell, or a magneto-elastic torque sensor. The system may include a vehicle powertrain having an engine, a transmission coupled to the engine via a torque converter and a controller configured to initiate torque phase control when the slope of the transmission input shaft torque exceeds a predetermined threshold after initiation of the shift preparatory phase.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Yuji Fujii, Alexander O'Connor Gibson, Bradley Dean Riedle, Seung-Hoon Lee, Gregory Michael Pietron, Diana Yanakiev, Joseph F. Kucharski, Nimrod Kapas
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Patent number: 9043102Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle having a transmission system, an engine system, and a braking system includes detecting a braking condition of the braking system. The braking condition is at least one of a brake temperature being above a predetermined brake temperature limit and a braking load being above a predetermined braking load limit. The method also includes detecting a second condition of at least one of the transmission system and the engine system. The method also includes determining whether the second condition satisfies predetermined criteria. Furthermore, the method includes detecting an absolute vehicle acceleration that is below a predetermined acceleration limit. Moreover, the method includes downshifting from a current gear to a lower gear to thereby cause engine braking when the braking condition is satisfied, the second condition satisfies the predetermined criteria, and the absolute vehicle acceleration is below the predetermined acceleration limit.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2010Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Frederic J. Boissinot, Yi Zhu, Zachary C. Rogalski
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Patent number: 9037365Abstract: A method for control of a gearbox installed in a motor vehicle (1), which method effects a downshift of the gearbox (20) from a first gear (G1), for which the acceleration a of the vehicle (1) is negative, to a second gear (G2), for which the acceleration a is positive or substantially equal to nil. The downshift involves at least one intermediate gear step between the first gear (G1) and second gear (G2), with a maximum engine speed at each intermediate gear step which is as high as, or higher than, a highest engine speed at a preceding intermediate gear step. Also, a system, a motor vehicle, a computer program and a computer program product for performing the method are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2010Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: SCANIA CV ABInventors: Fredrik Swartling, Mikael Wågberg
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Patent number: 9037326Abstract: A method for disconnecting an electrical machine connected with the wheels of a vehicle's drive axle by means of a dog clutch having intermeshing couplers includes, upon receipt of a command to disengage, two successively activated steps. In the first step, a torque equal to a calibrated threshold of a target torque (d) is applied to the electrical machine so to effect a zero torque between the couplers. During this step, a dog clutch actuator is deactivated so to allow the dog clutch to disengage from the electrical machine as quickly as possible. Next, a torque having a value determined according to a slope whose value ranges from the calibrated threshold of the target torque (d) to zero is applied to the electrical machine.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2010Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SAInventors: Eric Schaeffer, Florian Galinaud
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Patent number: 9037361Abstract: A transmission includes a controller that uses force feedback from a detent mechanism to determine appropriate actuator output for achieving a desired transmission range, which facilitates the implementation of “shift by wire” systems on pre-existing transmission designs.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2011Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Mark A. Vernacchia, William F. Sultze
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Patent number: 9037362Abstract: Disclosed is a shift range switching apparatus of an automatic transmission which can improve the durability over the conventional shift range switching apparatus. An ECU is operative to rotate an actuator in a predetermined direction (Step S2) in the state of the automatic transmission switched to a predetermined shift range (Step S1), and thereafter the actuator is deenergized (Step S3). The reference position of the actuator corresponding to the predetermined shift range is detected (Step S5) in accordance with the fluctuation of the count value counted by an encoder when the actuator is deenergized (Step S4).Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2010Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Keisuke Sekiya, Koki Ueno, Mitsuaki Ishimaru
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Patent number: 9037363Abstract: A method of operating a transmission system of an automotive vehicle, the transmission system including a mechanism of mechanically coupling first and second axles of the transmission system, a status of the coupling mechanism defining a number of transmission modes. The transmission system includes a button of pulse type controlling selection of a transmission mode and, after the vehicle has stalled, the transmission mode that is active following restarting of the vehicle is the mode that was active before the vehicle stalled.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2011Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.Inventors: Pascal Febrer, Nicolas Romani, Philippe Saint Loup
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Publication number: 20150134211Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for avoiding or reducing chatter vibrations in a drivetrain of a motor vehicle having an automated transmission with which two transmission stages are engageable simultaneously, wherein in particular when driving in a first transmission stage a different transmission stage is specifically engaged, synchronized and/or disengaged, in order to deliberately select the natural frequency of the drive train as a function of the operating point in order to reduce or avoid chatter vibrations.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventors: Georg Goeppert, Loyal George MacMillian
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Patent number: 9026329Abstract: A method for managing torque transmitting mechanism actuator output pressure under low supply pressure conditions is provided. The method is executable to control engagement of a torque transmitting mechanism during such conditions.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2012Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.Inventors: Jeff Shultz, Peter Swingler
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Patent number: 9026322Abstract: A speed change controlling apparatus in which the mode of driving force transmission is depends upon the roll angle of a vehicle body. When a roll angle is within a range from a second roll angle, which corresponds to a full bank state, to a first roll angle, speed change operation is carried out by soft speed change control in which variation of the driving force with respect to time is smaller than that by normal speed change control. If the roll angle is within another range from the first roll angle to a third roll angle, then normal speed change is carried out and if the roll angle is within a further range from an uprightly standing state to the third roll angle, then speed change operation is executed by direct speed change. When the roll angle is greater than the second roll angle, speed change is inhibited.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2012Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Kojima, Masaki Nakagawara, Takashi Ozeki, Yoshiaki Tsukada
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Patent number: 9026343Abstract: Operational efficiency and/or control systems and methods for vehicles are provided in order to improve fuel efficiency when traveling in a fuel powered vehicle from point A to point B. The systems and methods can determine the “best” or most efficient route to take based on one or more priorities, make driving recommendations to the operator, and/or automatically control one or more systems (e.g., engine, brakes, transmission, etc.) of the vehicle. The systems and methods can calculate the “best” route based on predefined trip requirements, including cost, schedule, route preferences, and/or risk of potential delays, etc.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2010Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: PACCAR IncInventor: Wesley Mays
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Publication number: 20150120153Abstract: A method for ascertaining a height profile of a road situated ahead of a vehicle includes: reading in a movement profile of an object which is provided by an image sensor, the movement profile being read in as a plurality of images; reading in at least one parameter with regard to the object from a parameter sensor which is independent of the image sensor; and determining the height profile of the road situated ahead of the vehicle by using at least one vertical position of the object in the image and the parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2014Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventor: Oliver Heim
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Publication number: 20150120156Abstract: A method of controlling a dual-clutch transmission having two partial transmissions that can be connected to a drive engine such that a target gear, in a respective load-free partial transmission to be engaged following the currently active gear, can be preselected. To reduce the energy consumption caused by transmission losses, the method includes the steps of: determining a possible target gear, determining overall transmission losses for both when a target gear is preselected, and when a target gear is not preselected, determining whether the overall transmission loss is greater when a target gear is preselected or when no gear is preselected, deciding whether a target gear should or should not be preselected using the overall transmission loss determined as a criterion, and implementing measures that correspond to the decision reached.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventors: Thorsten Leim, Carolin Heller
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Patent number: 9020709Abstract: An excavation control system includes a working unit, hydraulic cylinders, a prospective speed obtaining part, a relative speed obtaining part, a speed limit selecting part and a hydraulic cylinder controlling part. The prospective speed obtaining part obtains first and second prospective speeds depending on first and second intervals between first and second monitoring points of the bucket and a designed surface, respectively. The relative speed obtaining part obtains first and second relative speeds of the first and second monitoring points relative to the designed surface, respectively. The speed limit selecting part selects one of the first and second prospective speeds as a speed limit based on relative relations between the first and second relative speeds and the first and second prospective speeds, respectively. The hydraulic cylinder controlling part limits a relative speed of one of the first and second monitoring points to the speed limit.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.Inventor: Toru Matsuyama
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Patent number: 9020659Abstract: A vehicle and a method of controlling a dynamometer mode operation of a vehicle that includes requesting the dynamometer mode; monitoring for at least one non-dynamometer vehicle operating condition; if at least one of the non-dynamometer vehicle operating conditions is detected, prohibiting dynamometer mode; and if none of the non-dynamometer vehicle operating conditions is detected, operating the vehicle in dynamometer mode.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John W. Harris, Mark D. Malone, Marian S. Chupa, Chad E. Griffin, William N. Mansur, Mark R. Laleman
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Patent number: 9020711Abstract: A road slope estimating device which is mounted on a vehicle and estimates a slope of a road on which the vehicle is traveling, the vehicle including a motor and a transmission capable of changing a shift speed by an engagement switching operation of disengaging one of a plurality of engagement elements and engaging another one of the plurality of engagement elements, and outputting power from the motor via the transmission to travel. An estimating section carries out first road slope estimation from the computed output torque and acceleration of the vehicle until transfer of torque is handed over from the engagement element to be disengaged of the plurality of engagement elements to the engagement element to be engaged. Second road slope estimation is estimated from the computed output torque and the acceleration of the vehicle when the handover of the transfer of torque is carried out.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masakatsu Iwase, Shinya Tsuzuki, Taichi Ikoma, Eiji Moriyama
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Patent number: 9020710Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle, where the vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and a transmission having a neutral state and an engaged state, includes setting the state of the transmission. The state of the transmission is set as the neutral state or the engaged state based on a restart condition, where the restart condition is one of: (i) a no wheel torque restart condition, and (ii) a wheel torque restart condition. The method additionally includes starting the engine.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2014Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ryan Abraham McGee, Ihab S. Soliman, Xiaoyong Wang
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Patent number: 9020719Abstract: The clutch control system includes a motor in a liquid pressure modulator for engagement/disengagement of a clutch, a clutch control unit for controlling the operation of the motor, vehicle condition detection means which detects at least that an engine is in working and which detects the running speed of the vehicle, and neutral detection means for detecting the neutral state of a transmission. As controlled states of the clutch, there are set a first control state in which the clutch is in a partially engaged state or an engaged state, and a second control state in which the clutch is disengaged. When the engine being working and the vehicle speed being in excess of a predetermined value is detected and the neutral state is detected, in the first control state, transition to the second control state is effected and the clutch is disengaged.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2009Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Akihiko Tomoda
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Patent number: 9014931Abstract: A system for selecting shift schedules of a transmission of a vehicle configured to change gears according to two or more shift schedules includes a controller. The controller is configured to estimate mass of the vehicle based on a plurality of accelerations of the vehicle from a standstill, and estimate a road load of the vehicle based on the estimated mass. The controller is also configured to estimate a grade of terrain over which the vehicle is travelling based on the estimated mass of the vehicle. The controller is further configured to select between at least a first shift schedule and a second shift schedule based on at least one of the estimated mass of the vehicle, characteristics of the terrain over which the vehicle is travelling, the estimated grade of the terrain over which the vehicle is travelling, and functions capable of being performed by the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar, Inc.Inventors: Thomas G. Palmer, James H. DeVore
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Patent number: 9014926Abstract: A method and system for diagnosing an operating status of an assisted start-up mode for a motor vehicle. The system includes a driving engine, a transmission including a mechanism determining a piece of engine rotation speed information, a piece of information on a position of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle, a piece of information on a position of a transmission, and a piece of information on torque transmitted to wheels, a detection mechanism producing a malfunction signal for the assisted start-up using the information received, a plurality of encoding mechanisms to produce a follow-up signal for each piece of calculated information received, and a memory saving the follow-up signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2009Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Renault S.A.S.Inventor: Alessandro Monti
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Patent number: 9014909Abstract: A system and method are for diagnosing a fault state of a shift linkage in a marine propulsion device. A control lever is movable towards at least one of a maximum reverse position and a maximum forward position. A shift linkage couples the control lever to a transmission, wherein movement of the control lever causes movement of the shift linkage that enacts a shift change in the transmission. A shift sensor outputs a position signal representing a current position of the shift linkage. A control circuit diagnoses a fault state of the shift linkage when after the shift change the position signal that is output by the shift sensor is outside of at least one range of position signals that is stored in the control circuit.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Michael P. Dengel, Gene A. Smedema, Lance W. Ziemer
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Patent number: 9014928Abstract: A method for controlling cylinder pressure producing piston displacement for actuating a control element of an automatic transmission during a gearshift, includes (a) applying boost pressure to the to the control valve controlling the piston, provided one of the following conditions is present a boost phase is unexpired, cylinder pressure is less than a desired pressure, and piston displacement exceeds a desired displacement; (b) applying stroke pressure to the cylinder provided piston displacement away from control element plates occurs; and (c) increasing stroke pressure provided piston displacement away from clutch plates has not occurred.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Sarah M. Thornton, Diana Yanakiev, Anuradha Annaswamy, Gregory M. Pietron, Bradley D. Riedle
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Patent number: 9014927Abstract: A shift control system is mounted on a vehicle that includes a transmission. The transmission includes a multi-gear shifting mechanism. Also, the transmission is configured to shift a speed of rotational power from an engine in response to a shift request and to output the rotational power to a drive wheel side. The shift control system includes a detecting unit and a control unit. The detecting unit detects the shift request. When the detecting unit has detected a multiple-gear skip downshift request as the shift request from a first gear to a second gear, the control unit executes shift control that includes a skip shift from the first gear to a predetermined intermediate-speed gear and a sequential shift from the predetermined intermediate-speed gear to the second gear, the first gear been higher by multiple gears than the predetermined intermediate-speed gear.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hidenori Saito, Masakazu Owatari, Takashi Miura, Masayasu Mizobuchi
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Patent number: 9009941Abstract: It is intended to make it possible to, even in a situation where a program and/or data to be written to a memory device of an electronic control unit provided in an automatic transmission become different in content, depending on a specification of a vehicle to be mounted with the automatic transmission, manage the electronic control unit while distinguishing only by a difference in hardware configurations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2011Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Akihiro Mitani, Keiichiro Sueshige, Tsuyoshi Kiyooka
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Patent number: 9014934Abstract: A method of controlling a pump for a hybrid transmission includes commanding a first line pressure of the transmission and deriving a first torque value—an open-loop torque value—from the first line pressure command, and commanding the pump to operate at the first torque value. The method monitors actual speed of the pump and derives a second torque value—a closed-loop torque value—therefrom. A third torque value is derived from the first and second torque values, and the pump commanded to operate at the third torque value. A first speed value may be derived from the first line pressure command, and the second torque value derived from the difference between the monitored and the first speed values. Deriving the third torque value may include a substantially-linear combination of the first and second torque values.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2009Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Jy-Jen F. Sah
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Publication number: 20150105987Abstract: The present invention relates detecting the rotation speed of tires for a vehicle. In the present invention, signals are received from a plurality of wheel speed sensors, a reverse gear sensor, and a brake sensor. Errors of the wheel speed sensors are estimated using the received signals, a signal having a corrected error is obtained using the estimated errors, linear interpolation. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that rotation speed of tires for a vehicle can be determined accurately.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: HYUNDAI AUTRON CO., LTD.Inventor: Guy Championnet
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Publication number: 20150105986Abstract: A method for recording an initial position of at least one positive-locking shifting element (A, F) of a transmission of a vehicle is proposed, whereas an initial position of the shifting element (A, F) is determined and assigned depending on a recorded operating pressure curve (III) for the actuation of the shifting element (A, F).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventor: Georg Mihatsch
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Patent number: 9008922Abstract: A reference position setting method for an automated manual transmission is allowed to initialize an accurate reference position while minimizing relative movement of a finger, and to reduce noise generated when the finger moves to an end of a shifting direction to secure quieter and faster operation capability.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Young Min Yoon
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Patent number: 9008926Abstract: A powertrain includes an electro-mechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine and an electric machine adapted to selectively transmit mechanical power to an output member through selective application of a plurality of clutches. A method for controlling the powertrain includes commanding a shift from a fixed gear operating range state to a second operating range state, commanding decreased reactive torque through an off-going clutch during a torque phase of said commanded shift, and decreasing said reactive torque through said off-going clutch through control of engine input torque.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2008Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Anthony H. Heap, Jy-Jen F. Sah, Lawrence A. Kaminsky
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Patent number: 9008921Abstract: A transmission control system for a vehicle includes a transmission control module (TCM), a solenoid valve, a pressure regulator valve, and a transmission element. The TCM includes a control algorithm providing output signals to valve drive electronics, where the valve drive electronics supply current to the solenoid valve. The solenoid valve controls an output pressure located in a passage between the pressure regulator valve and the transmission element. During an engine start-up condition of the vehicle, the control algorithm of the TCM includes control logic for activating a solenoid adjustment algorithm. The solenoid adjustment algorithm decreases the sensitivity of the valve drive electronics when supplying current to the solenoid valve. The solenoid adjustment algorithm is activated for a predetermined amount of time after engine start-up, and is then terminated.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLCInventors: Paul G. Otanez, Zhen J. Zhang, Ronald F. Lochocki, Jr.
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Patent number: 9008923Abstract: A bicycle derailleur adjusting apparatus for adjusting a bicycle derailleur includes a controller. The bicycle derailleur includes a base member adapted to be mounted to a bicycle, a movable member, a linkage coupled between the base member and the movable member, and an actuator configured to move the movable member of the bicycle derailleur among a plurality of derailleur positions. The controller is configured to control the actuator based on a travel value indicative of a travel distance of the movable member between adjacent derailleur positions to update the derailleur positions of the movable member.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Ryuichiro Takamoto, Yoshiyuki Kasai
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Patent number: 9002556Abstract: A torque response control apparatus for an electric motor of a vehicle comprises a motor torque response control means that is configured to carry out finding a difference between a required acceleration that is variable in accordance with a change of a vehicle driving condition and an actual acceleration that is obtained, at the time of the change of the vehicle driving condition, with the aid of a torque characteristic of the electric motor, the difference being caused by the torque characteristic of the electric motor in which the maximum torque is varied in accordance with a rotation speed of the electric motor; and controlling the torque response of the electric motor in a manner to cause a driver to feel the difference of the actual acceleration from the required acceleration to be small by compensating the difference between the required acceleration and the actual acceleration.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2011Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yohei Nakamura, Isamu Kazama
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Patent number: 9002600Abstract: An example method of operation comprises, selectively shutting down engine operation responsive to operating conditions and without receiving an engine shutdown request from the operator, maintaining the automatic transmission in gear during the shutdown, and during an engine restart from the shutdown condition, and with the transmission in gear, transmitting reduced torque to the transmission. For example, slippage of a forward clutch of the transmission may be used to enable the transmission to remain in gear, yet reduce torque transmitted to the vehicle wheels.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2009Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Peter John Grutter, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Felix Nedorezov
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Patent number: 9002596Abstract: There is disclosed a self-arming immobilizer system for immobilizing a vehicle. In an embodiment, the system comprises a signal input for receiving a signal indicating the absence of an authorized operator in a position of control in the vehicle; and an immobilizer unit adapted to receive the signal input, and in response to the signal indicating the absence of an authorized operator in a position of control in the vehicle, switch one or more relays to disable one or more circuits in the vehicle to immobilize and secure the vehicle. In an embodiment, the immobilizer unit is adapted to disable a gear shift link solenoid to disable the gear shift. In another embodiment, the immobilizer unit is adapted to disable a gun rack solenoid to lock the gun rack. In another embodiment, the vehicle is immobilized at idle, and the system allows the vehicle to keep idling until deactivated by an authorized operator.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Inventor: Hugh Morris
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Patent number: 9002601Abstract: In a shift control apparatus of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) configured to steplessly vary a torque, the control apparatus employs an acceleration intention determination section for determining the presence or absence of a driver's acceleration intention, a shift mode setting section for setting a shift-control mode from a normal mode to an acceleration mode in the presence of the driver's acceleration intention, a shift speed setting section for setting a shift speed based on a target transmission ratio and a vehicle speed, and a shift control section for controlling a shift of the CVT. Also provided is a shift speed correction section for correcting the shift speed for an initial downshift in the acceleration mode to a shift speed slower than the shift speed set by the shift speed setting section, only when a demanded degree of the driver's acceleration intention is small.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Jatco LtdInventors: Tomoaki Kabe, Nobuhiko Morifuji, Keisuke Ichikawa, Nobuhide Kato, Yuki Ono, Hiromu Ogino, Yukinobu Sakakibara, Hisao Nakanishi, Takahiro Nakata, Mitsuki Ishizuka
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Patent number: 9002595Abstract: A method regulates the torque output and/or speed output of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) in a manner that may simulate a clutch. The CVT may be incorporated in a machine and maybe operatively coupled to a power source and to a propulsion device. The method utilizes an unaltered torque-to-speed curve that relates the torque output to the speed output of the CVT. The method may receive an operator input signal indicating a desire to change operation of the machine. The torque-to-speed curve may be shifted in response to the operator input signal to limit the torque output available. In an aspect, an under-run curve may be applied to the torque-to-speed curve, the under-run curve corresponding to a target speed. The operator input signal may also shift the under-run curve to reduce the target speed.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Kevin Davis, Adam Nackers, Michael Barngrover, Brian D. Kuras
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Patent number: 9001516Abstract: Provided is an electronic circuit unit to be mounted within a casing of an automatic transmission for a vehicle. An electronic circuit body including circuit-side terminals protruding in an outward direction from a main-body, connectors to be connected to the electronic circuit body, a cover, and a base member having a placing face on which the cover, the electronic circuit body and the connectors are placed. The cover is provided with a main-body covering part, fitting-portion covering parts and which cover a fitting-portion of the circuit-side terminals and fitting parts of the wire-side terminals from a side opposing to the placing face, and a restricting part for regulating the detachment of the connectors from the fitting position to the detached position.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2011Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Osamu Nakayama, Kouichi Matsumoto
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Publication number: 20150094910Abstract: A vehicle information system includes a “portrait” in-dash touchscreen display for simultaneously displaying both vehicle-specific and application-specific information as vertically-stacked “landscape” renderings, or for displaying a selected one of either the vehicle-specific or application information as a single “portrait” rendering. A further region of the touchscreen's active surface, preferably along its upper margin, is reserved as a fixed command bar to facilitate manual “touch” selection of the information to be displayed on the remainder of the touchscreen's active surface, while the system further dynamically responds to vehicle and operational parameters to select the information for display as appropriate, for example, based on vehicle operation conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2013Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventors: Michael J. Bassier, Neil J. Young, JR., Marilyn Vala, Elizabeth Mary Beaubien
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Publication number: 20150094918Abstract: The present invention provides a system, a method, and a vehicle for safe driving. The vehicle includes a speed sensor, an automatic gearbox, a processor, and a communication unit. The vehicle communicates with a server via the communication unit. The processor executes a determining module and a speed control module. The determining module determines whether the vehicle receives a signal including a safe driving speed. When the signal is received, and a current speed of the vehicle is greater than the safe driving speed or less than the safe driving speed a preset value, the speed control module directs the automatic gearbox to set the speed of the vehicle to a constant speed equal to or less than the safe driving speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventors: HOU-HSIEN LEE, CHANG-JUNG LEE, CHIH-PING LO
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Patent number: 8996261Abstract: A system for activating and deactivating a gear change in a vehicle. The system including a steering wheel, first and second paddle shifters coupled to the steering wheel or column, a switch having an activate state and a deactivate state and coupled to the steering wheel, a center console, an instrument panel, or an integrated display, and a locking mechanism connected to the first and second paddle shifters to inhibit movement or functioning of the first and second paddle shifters when the switch is in the deactivate state and to allow movement or functioning of the first and second paddle shifters when the switch is in the activate state as a stand-alone lock out method or integrated with an electronic lock out method.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Andrew Sata
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Patent number: 8996266Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an engine control module (ECM), and a dual clutch transmission (DCT) assembly. The DCT assembly has first and second input clutches, first and second gear sets selectively connected to the engine via the respective first and second input clutches, and a transmission control module (TCM). In executing a launch control method, the TCM receives a launch request, receives an actual engine torque, and determines the inertia and acceleration of the engine. The TCM then calculates a clutch torque for the particular input clutch used for vehicle launch as a function of the actual engine torque and the product of the inertia and the acceleration, compares the calculated clutch torque to the commanded clutch torque, modifies a torque-to-position (TTP) table depending on the comparison result, and transmits a clutch position signal to the designated input clutch to command an apply position extracted from the TTP table.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Colin Hultengren, Craig J. Hawkins, Matthew D. Whitton, Crystal Nassouri, Jonathan P. Kish
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Patent number: 8996260Abstract: A system for controlling gear changes in a vehicle. The system includes a steering wheel and a detent mechanism having an idle location, a first location, and a second location, the detent mechanism is coupled to the steering wheel. The system also includes a paddle shifter coupled to the steering wheel and the detent mechanism, the paddle shifter having an idle position with no associated function when the paddle shifter is in the idle location, a first operating position with an associated first function when the paddle shifter is in the first location, and a second operating position with an associated second function when the paddle shifter is in the second location. The associated first function is different from the associated second function.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Andrew Sata
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Patent number: 8996263Abstract: An electronic controller for a variable ratio transmission and an electronically controllable variable ratio transmission including a variator or other CVT are described herein. The electronic controller can be configured to receive input signals indicative of parameters associated with an engine coupled to the transmission. The electronic controller can also receive one or more control inputs. The electronic controller can determine an active range and an active variator mode based on the input signals and control inputs. The electronic controller can control a final drive ratio of the variable ratio transmission by controlling one or more electronic solenoids that control the ratios of one or more portions of the variable ratio transmission.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2008Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLCInventors: Stanley B. Quinn, Jr., Alan L. Miller, Scott R. Anderson
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Publication number: 20150088388Abstract: A coefficient of friction correction device for a belt-type continuously variable transmission is provided in which the coefficient of friction corrector calculates a coefficient of friction correction factor from the coefficient of friction calculated by the coefficient of friction calculator for a predetermined gear ratio and the default value of the coefficient of friction stored in the coefficient of friction map for the predetermined gear ratio, and uniformly corrects the default value of the coefficient of friction stored in the coefficient of friction map for each gear ratio using the coefficient of friction correction factor. This enables the default values of the coefficient of friction of all the coefficient of friction maps to be corrected by calculating just one coefficient of friction correction factor, and enables the reliability of the corrected default value of the coefficient of friction to be ensured.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Shigeru Kanehara, Atsushi Fujikawa
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Publication number: 20150088349Abstract: An object is to provide a vehicle control apparatus capable of enhancing fuel economy when coasting is performed by disconnecting a clutch disposed between an engine and drive wheels of the vehicle. A travel path and a travel pattern of a vehicle are predicted by a vehicle outside information collection device, such as a navigation system. Also, amounts of fuel consumption by normal traveling and coasting are predicted and compared, so that coasting control is performed in a case where an amount of fuel consumption can be reduced by performing the coasting control.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2014Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Yohei AKASHI, Hideyuki TANAKA, Hiroyuki SAITO
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Publication number: 20150088387Abstract: A position diagnostic test for a shift-by-wire system is provided. The shift-by-wire system includes a shift lever configured to move along a shift path, a first and a second position sensor configured to generate a first and a second position signal, respectively, of the shift lever along the shift path, and a controller configured to receive the first and second position signals. The first position sensor includes a first x-coordinate value and a first y-coordinate value, and the second position sensor includes a second x-coordinate value and a second y-coordinate value. The position diagnostic test includes performing a rationality test on each of the coordinate values. If at least one predetermined condition exists for a particular coordinate value, then it fails the rationality test, and the position signal containing the coordinate value may be disregarded.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Daniel A. Bialas, Anne Bliss, Orson S. Wang, Michael J. Abowd, Brian A. MacFarlane
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Patent number: 8989973Abstract: A control apparatus for an automatic transmission includes a running condition detector and a controller. a plurality of gear change stages include at least one specific gear change stage that has a specific transmission gear ratio, that involves at least one necessary engagement mechanism which needs to be engaged in order to obtain the specific transmission gear ratio, and that involves at least one no-change engagement mechanism which causes no change in the specific transmission gear ratio. Both of the at least one necessary engagement mechanism and the at least one no-change engagement mechanism are engaged during a time period from a timing to begin an operation to change a gear change stage to the specific gear change stage until a timing to complete the operation. The at least one no-change engagement mechanism is released after the timing to complete the operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2014Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shintaro Kameda, Kohsaku Matsuo, Eri Kubota
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Patent number: 8989940Abstract: A powertrain system is configured to transfer torque to an output member. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes prioritizing a plurality of system torque constraint parameters. The system torque constraint parameters are sequentially applied in an order of descending priority. A feasible state for each of the sequentially applied system torque constraint parameters is determined. A solution set including the feasible states for all the sequentially applied system torque constraint parameters is determined, and employed to control operation of the powertrain system in response to an output torque request.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2013Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Anthony H. Heap, Sean W. McGrogan
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Patent number: 8989972Abstract: The illustrative embodiments provide a method and apparatus for controlling movement of a vehicle. Movement of an operator located at a side of the vehicle is identified with a plurality of sensors located in the vehicle and the vehicle is moved in a path that maintains the operator at the side of the vehicle while the operator is moving.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2012Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Noel Wayne Anderson
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Patent number: 8989974Abstract: When a request is made to change gears, the form-fitting shifting element being disengaged, for the requested gear change, is disengaged at a predefined target disengagement moment following the target disengagement moment. When the gear is actually changed, an actual disengagement moment is determined based on when the form-fitting shifting element begins disengaging and a transmission operating state variable. If there is a deviation between the actual moment and the target moment of disengagement, then the target disengagement moment is modified by a time value, and the moment when the form-fitting shifting element begins to be actuated is shifted in time in relation to the target moment of disengagement and/or actuation of the shifting element to be connected is adjusted to a determined characteristic of the operating state of the form-fitting shifting element to be disconnected such that it is disengaged approximately at the target disengagement moment.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2011Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Jörg Arnold, Valentine Herbeth, Georg Mihatsch