And Other Vehicle Control Patents (Class 701/53)
-
Patent number: 10066749Abstract: The SBW-CU that constitutes the shift control device, in the case of selection information for selecting a shift range other than the P range being output by the selection position determination unit when the shift range of the automatic transmission is the P range, maintains the P range without switching the shift range of the automatic transmission in the case of the engine being stopped, and the gradient of the road surface being equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and switches the shift range of the automatic transmission based on selection information in the case of the engine not being stopped, or in the case of the road surface gradient being less than the aforementioned predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2014Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventor: Takahiro Kinoshita
-
Patent number: 9953472Abstract: In one embodiment of the subject matter described herein, a system is provided that includes a vehicle that is operating in accordance with the operational settings of a trip plan. The operational settings dictate how the vehicle system is to travel at different locations along the route. A processor of the system may identify differences between the operational settings of the trip plan and the operational settings at which the vehicle actually travels. The processor may further identify whether the differences are caused by a grade error.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dibyajyoti Pati, Ashish Anil Paralikar, Mohankumar Nanjegowda, Prakarsh Paritosh
-
Patent number: 9891623Abstract: A driving plan of the vehicle is generated based on the map information and the information on the surroundings of the vehicle detected by a detection sensor, and an automated driving operation of the vehicle is controlled based on this driving plan. When a change in the operating state of the engine is predicted from the driving plan, an advanced control of the control command value of the engine operation control device where the control command value of the engine operation control device is made to change is started in advance of the predicted change of the operating state of the engine. When there is a demand for sudden stop of the vehicle contrary to the driving plan of the vehicle, this advanced control is stopped.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2016Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Norio Inami, Yusuke Hoki
-
Patent number: 9796373Abstract: A system and a method for controlling torque intervention of a hybrid electric vehicle including a motor and an engine as power sources that includes: a driving information detector detecting a running state of the vehicle and demand information of a driver of the vehicle; a transmission control unit (TCU) requesting torque reduction while shifting of the vehicle based on a signal from the driving information detector; a traction control system (TCS) requesting torque reduction by outputting an intervention torque for preventing a wheel slip of the vehicle; and a controller controlling torque intervention by dividing a request amount of torque reduction into the engine and the motor when receiving the torque reduction request from the TCU or the TCS, wherein the controller firstly reduces a motor assist torque when a state of the motor before the torque intervention is an assist state, maintains a motor charging torque when the state of the motor before torque intervention is a charging state, and divides anType: GrantFiled: November 15, 2015Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Joonyoung Park, Do Hee Kim
-
Patent number: 9708957Abstract: The heat provided to a vehicle based SCR system may be managed by purposely increasing the load placed on the vehicle's engine such that the engine's exhaust gas temperature remains above a predetermined level. The energy generated by the extra load placed on the engine may be dissipated through an energy absorption device. The need for extra engine load may be anticipated to ensure adequate heat is provided to the SCR throughout various operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2016Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: Komatsu America Corp.Inventor: David J. Scott
-
Patent number: 9458782Abstract: The heat provided to a vehicle based SCR system may be managed by purposely increasing the load placed on the vehicle's engine such that the engine's exhaust gas temperature remains above a predetermined level. The energy generated by the extra load placed on the engine may be dissipated through an energy absorption device. The need for extra engine load may be anticipated to ensure adequate heat is provided to the SCR throughout various operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2014Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Komatsu America Corp.Inventor: David J. Scott
-
Patent number: 9421945Abstract: A vehicle anti-theft system is configured to apply indications of driver presence and absence to control of a circuit between a brake pedal switch and a park shift interlock and/or a vehicle brake. Vehicle drivability is impaired without an indication of driver presence. The driver absence indication can include the combination open driver's door and an empty driver's seat. The driver presence indication can include authorized driver identification through entry of a code or other authorization mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2015Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Inventor: Randall H. Smathers
-
Patent number: 9266521Abstract: Method for CVT and powertrain control in a kinetic hybrid that integrates two constituent control strategies at the same time, one for the kinetic energy exchange between a vehicle and a flywheel to recover the vehicle's kinetic energy and to cancel the effect of the vehicle's inertia on changes in speed, and one for operating the kinetic hybrid's prime mover on its ideal operation line to optimize efficiency. Two different rates of change in the CVT ratio are computed in real time and are superimposed to realize both strategies. Using the combined rate of change in the CVT ratio derived by the present invention to control the powertrain, the primary power source need not expend a significant portion of its power to overcome the vehicle's inertia, and performance is not compromised.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2014Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Inventors: Hongping He, Jing He
-
Patent number: 9200704Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, input clutch, transmission, and controller. The transmission includes an input member, output member, and bidirectional speed sensor. The speed sensor measures a magnitude and direction of a rotational speed of the output member. Engagement of the input clutch selectively connects the engine to the input member. The controller has a commanded gear shift monitoring (CGSM) module. The CGSM module executes a method via a processor to cause the controller to detect a requested shift of the transmission to a destination gear, and to receive the measured magnitude and direction from the speed sensor. The controller determines a calibrated maximum output speed for the destination gear using the measured magnitude and direction, and executes a control action with respect to the transmission when the measured magnitude exceeds the calibrated maximum output speed. A transmission assembly includes the transmission and controller.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2014Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Ronald F. Lochocki, Jr., Brian Hanselman
-
Patent number: 9193262Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a motor vehicle having: prime mover means; at least first and second groups of one or more wheels; and a driveline operable to connect the prime mover means to the first and second groups of one or more wheels such that the first group of one or more wheels and not the second group is coupled to a torque transmission path from the prime mover means when the driveline is in a first mode of operation and both the first and second groups of one or more wheels are coupled to a torque transmission path from the prime mover means when the driveline is in a second mode of operation, the driveline including an auxiliary portion for connecting the second group to the torque transmission path from the prime mover means, the auxiliary portion comprising first and second releasable torque transmitting means and a prop shaft, the first releasable torque transmitting means being operable to connect a first end of the prop shaft to the torque transmission path from the prime moveType: GrantFiled: February 20, 2012Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover LimitedInventors: Pete Stares, Ian Beverley, Shaun Wick, Russell Percy Osborn, Paul Beever
-
Patent number: 9162679Abstract: A vehicle operating condition profile can be determined over a given route while also considering imposed constraints such as deviation from time targets, deviation from maximum governed speed limits, etc. Given current vehicle speed, engine state and transmission state, the present disclosure optimally manages the engine map and transmission to provide a recommended vehicle operating condition that optimizes fuel consumption in transitioning from one vehicle state to a target state. Exemplary embodiments provide for offline and online optimizations relative to fuel consumption. The benefit is increased freight efficiency in transporting cargo from source to destination by minimizing fuel consumption and maintaining drivability.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2011Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.Inventors: Vivek A. Sujan, Phani Vajapeyazula, Kenneth Follen, An Wu, Barty L. Moffett
-
Patent number: 9108634Abstract: A vehicle drive control device in a vehicle has an engine and an electric motor for running, the vehicle running with at least one of the engine and the electric motor for running used as a drive power source for running, the vehicle drive control device rotating the engine remaining in a no-drive state if a vehicle speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined determination vehicle speed during vehicle running with the engine in the no-drive state, the vehicle drive control device making the determination vehicle speed higher when a gradient of a running road surface on which the vehicle is running is larger, the gradient having a positive direction corresponding to descent.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2011Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kuniaki Niimi
-
Patent number: 9096229Abstract: A method and a vehicle cruise control system performing the steps of driving with the cruise control active and set to maintain a set target speed, registering a first position when driving in an uphill slope of a hill where vehicle retardation has decreased vehicle speed to a first speed below the set target speed and where the retardation has decreased to zero or acceleration has just started in order to increase speed to the set target speed, registering a desired speed in a second position downhill of the crest at a first distance after the crest, based on the desired speed calculating a minimum speed at the crest with which the vehicle has to pass the crest in order to be able to reach the desired speed with zero fuel consumption during the first distance, controlling speed between the first position and the crest so that the vehicle reaches the minimum speed when passing the crest.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2009Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar ABInventors: Anders Eriksson, Johan Bjernetun
-
Patent number: 9092311Abstract: In a vehicular wireless communication apparatus in a subject vehicle, a rear vehicle determination process determines whether another vehicle is a rear vehicle within a predetermined range based on a past locus of the subject vehicle determined by a subject-vehicle locus determination process, and a locus information-set of the another vehicle received by a wireless communication portion. When the another vehicle is determined to be the rear vehicle, a necessary-position determination process determines position information-items of two end points of a line segment of the past locus of the subject vehicle which intersects with a perpendicular line drawn from a present position of the another vehicle. A simple transmission process transmits a locus information-set including (i) a present position information-item of the subject vehicle and (ii) the necessary-position information-item determined in the necessary-position determination process, from the wireless communication portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2013Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Takahisa Yamashiro
-
Patent number: 9067583Abstract: An ECU that integrally controls a vehicle travel control system includes an initial travel plan producing section which produces an initial travel plan including a decelerating interval in which an engine of a vehicle is stopped to decelerate the vehicle, a travel plan reconfiguring section which reconfigures the initial travel plan produced by the initial travel plan reconfiguring section, and a travel control section which controls travel of the vehicle based on a travel plan. When a non-stop state of the engine occurs while the vehicle is traveling, the travel plan reconfiguring section reconfigures the initial travel plan so that target deceleration in the decelerating interval in the initial travel plan is reset to new target deceleration that is larger deceleration.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2009Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Koji Taguchi
-
Patent number: 9067597Abstract: A vehicle drive control device in a vehicle has an engine and an electric motor for running, the vehicle running with at least one of the engine and the electric motor for running used as a drive power source for running, the vehicle drive control device rotating the engine remaining in a no-drive state if a vehicle speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined determination vehicle speed during vehicle running with the engine in the no-drive state, the vehicle drive control device making the determination vehicle speed higher when a gradient of a running road surface on which the vehicle is running is larger, the gradient having a positive direction corresponding to descent.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2011Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kuniaki Niimi
-
Patent number: 9068650Abstract: A machine has a power train including a prime mover connected to a transmission having two or more selectable gear settings, and a user interface providing an operator selection of at least two gear identifiers of a whole number. Each whole number gear identifiers corresponds to high idle speeds for respective gear settings. The user interface provides a signal indicative of selected gear identifier to an electronic controller, which also receives and transmits signals indicative of machine parameters. The electronic controller contains computer executable instructions which determine an optimal gear setting and whether a gear shift should be made.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2012Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Michael A. Weber
-
Patent number: 9068651Abstract: A powertrain includes a controller and gear sets, clutches, rotatable members, and torque actuators, e.g., an engine and one or more motor/generator units. Each torque actuator outputs a total control torque. The total control torque from a given actuator is used to achieve a target value, which is a torque value of a member of one of the gear sets, clutches, or rotatable members. The controller includes proportional-integral (PI) control logic. The total control torque is the sum of proportional and integral torque terms from the PI control logic. The controller detects a predetermined vehicle event, for instance a change in a hybrid range state or a control gain reduction event, and then automatically resets the integral control torque term(s) for the physical target value during the requested vehicle event to thereby maintain the total control torque for the same target value through the execution of the predetermined vehicle event.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2013Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Shaochun Ye, Robert L. Morris
-
Patent number: 9063829Abstract: Methods and systems are described for conserving energy used by an energy consuming device. In certain embodiments, an energy conservation system can be configured to deliver energy to the energy consuming device for a period, followed by a period where energy delivery is dampened and/or cut. By cycling the delivery of energy in this fashion, the energy conservation can achieve a pulsed efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2012Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: FUEL SAVING TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Jeffrey N. Yu, Gregory W. Davis, Gwynn R. Williams
-
Patent number: 9050964Abstract: An output power of the internal combustion engine (1) is transmitted to a drive wheel via a torque converter (2B) having a pump impeller and a turbine runner. A lockup clutch (2C) directly connects the pump impeller and the turbine runner during a coast running of a vehicle. When the accelerator pedal is slightly depressed during a coast running of a vehicle in a fuel cut-off state, the lockup clutch (2C) disengages. In addition, fuel recovery of the internal combustion engine (1) is suppressed until the engaging pressure of the lockup clutch (2C) decreases, thereby preventing a vehicle speed change caused by an output power increase of the internal combustion engine (1) before the lockup clutch (2C) substantially disengages.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2012Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignees: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD., JATCO LTDInventors: Yuzuru Tohta, Masahiro Iriyama, Yasuki Fukumoto, Morimasa Yamawaki, Tatsuya Hayashi
-
Patent number: 9043061Abstract: A method includes interpreting a powertrain load variation amplitude and an internal combustion engine output profile. The method further includes determining an engine output differential in response to the powertrain load variation amplitude and the internal combustion engine output profile. The method further includes providing an energy accumulator sizing parameter and/or an alternate motive power provider sizing parameter in response to the engine output differential.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2012Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Vivek Anand Sujan, Morgan MacKenzie Andreae, Martin T. Books, Xi Wei
-
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
-
Publication number: 20150142280Abstract: A disconnect mechanism is configured to disconnect a predetermined rotating element from an engine and an auxiliary drive wheels while the vehicle is traveling in a two-wheel drive mode. The predetermined rotating element is configured to transmit power to the auxiliary drive wheels while the vehicle is traveling in a four-wheel drive mode. An electronic control unit is configured to: execute shift control when a shift condition of an automatic transmission is satisfied; selectively engage or release the disconnect mechanism based on a traveling state of the vehicle and a driver's predetermined operation; and control at least one of the automatic transmission or the disconnect mechanism such that a shift period based on the shift condition of the automatic transmission and an engagement-release period of the disconnect mechanism at least partially overlap with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Hideki Tamoto, Masayuki Arai, Yoshiro Obayashi, Kunihiro Iwatsuki
-
Patent number: 9037364Abstract: A method and system for controlling anti-jerk in order to reduce vibration of a vehicle is provided. More specifically, a rotation speed (?m) of a driving source device of the vehicle is received and a speed (?lwh, ?rwh) of a left wheel and a right wheel connected to the driving source device is detected by a sensor respectively. Then, a controller, which receives this data, calculates an average speed (?fwh) based on the detected left and right wheel speeds, produces a virtual speed through interpolation of the detected left and right wheel speeds and the average speed based on a predetermined sampling value, and calculates a model speed (?ref) based on the detected left and right wheel speeds, the average speed, the virtual speed, and a final gear ratio (?j; where j is the number of the gear) considering a final reduction gear ratio (FGR) and a current gear of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2013Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Jae Sung Bang, Won Woo Suh, Hong Kee Sim, Youngkwan Ko
-
Publication number: 20150134212Abstract: A gearbox of a twin clutch includes dog portions of a movable gear and a fixed gear which may be disengaged and reengaged with each other. A control device for a vehicle including the twin clutch includes a shift actuator control unit that, when shifting a gear to another speed outputs a target position signal so as to shift a rotation position of a shift actuator to a gear shift position at which a gear shift operation is performed by a transmission, and a clutch control unit that outputs torque signals so as to connect a clutch that transmits power to, among movable gears and fixed gears, a movable gear or a fixed gear including a dog portion to be disengaged. The shift actuator control unit outputs the target position signal so as to return the rotation position of the shift actuator to a neutral position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventors: Shinya Iizuka, Yasunori Murayama
-
Patent number: 9026324Abstract: A deceleration indication value is set so as to prevent a collision between the vehicle and an obstacle on the basis of front side information or to prevent traffic lane deviation, and automatic braking is performed. When automatic braking is performed, a transfer clutch is coupled, a deceleration generated by synchronization of a main drive shaft and a propeller shaft is calculated, the deceleration indication value G is corrected based on the deceleration and a brake liquid pressure corresponding to a corrected deceleration indication value is applied to a brake drive unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2014Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Fuji Jokogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koji Matsuno
-
Patent number: 9026323Abstract: A method of controlling a start-stop vehicle transmission pump, includes: assessing how long an engine has been turned off; and when the engine has been turned off for longer than a predetermined threshold and the vehicle is on, priming the transmission pump.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2013Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Daniel T. Lin, Eric F. Banners, Stephen M. Cicala, Tim J. Kropf, Bradley D. Riedle
-
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
-
Patent number: 9020712Abstract: In order to enable a transmission to reliably perform a switching to a parking range thereof, a vehicle control device includes a shift-by-wire device which switches a shift range of a transmission mounted on a vehicle in accordance with a request by an electric signal, an acceptance unit which accepts a request for switching to a parking range of the transmission, a detection unit which detects that switching to the parking range of the transmission has been settled, and a braking device which generates a braking force when the acceptance unit accepts a request for switching to the parking range of the transmission, from the time of acceptance of the request for switching until the detection unit detects settlement of the switching to the parking range.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2014Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaki Koike, Kohei Akamine, Hisashi Ishikawa, Shinichiro Watanabe
-
Patent number: 9014929Abstract: A method for determining a need for contact point adaptation for a clutch (106) of a vehicle (100), which clutch (106) transmits driving power between a power source engine (101) and at least one powered wheel (113, 114). At a first point in time, determining a first temperature (T1) of the clutch (106), comparing the first temperature (T1) with a second temperature (T2) of said clutch (106) determined at a second point in time which precedes the first point in time, and determining a need for contact point adaptation when the first temperature (T1) differs from the second temperature (T2) by more than a first value (?T)).Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Scania CV ABInventors: Karl Redbrandt, Andreas Laghamn
-
Patent number: 9014930Abstract: A vehicle brake control system includes a clutch stroke acquiring section, a braking force holding section, a first release determination section, and a release execution section. The clutch stroke acquiring section acquires a clutch stroke. The braking force holding section holds a braking force imparted to a wheel brake of a vehicle being at a halt. The first release determination section includes a peak value holding part and a returned amount calculator. The peak value holding part holds a peak value of the clutch stroke. The returned amount calculator calculates a returned amount by which a clutch is returned from the peak value. The first release determination section determines whether or not the held braking force should be released, based on the calculated returned amount. If the first release determination section determines that the held braking force should be released, the release execution section releases the held braking force.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Nissin Kogyo Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takashi Kurosaki
-
Patent number: 9008924Abstract: A transmission control system and method for controlling the level of creep torque supplied by a powertrain. The transmission control system having a controller configured to receive output signals from any one of a driver interface device sensor, a grade sensor, and a brake pedal sensor. Based on the output signals, the level of necessary creep torque and be determined and supplied, reducing unnecessary fuel consumption.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: Graeme A. Jackson
-
Patent number: 9008964Abstract: A device for road and urban mobility and for solving the problem of traffic congestion, installed on a vehicle in order to make traffic flow more fluid in and between cities. The device consists of a set of five electronic modules, including a processor. The processor analyzes and extracts positional data of the equipped vehicle from a satellite signal and sends the requests of same for an exchange with a server, bi-directionally. The device is incorporated into an onboard housing. The present device is intended, in particular, to make the traffic flow more fluid and to communicate with a dedicated server in order to guide the driver of the equipped vehicle during his/her journey from a start point to the point entered into the device as the desired final destination. The present device reduces traffic congestion and pollution caused by greenhouse gas emissions.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2014Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Meed Group, EURLInventor: Gerard Mansour
-
Patent number: 9008925Abstract: A method of controlling a transmission brake of an automated change-speed transmission having a control cylinder, that is pressurized by inlet and outlet valves, and an upstream main cut-off valve by which a nominal pressure, supplied to the control cylinder, is regulated. Functional deviations of the transmission brake can be considered during a shifting operation, when the transmission is in neutral, the motor coupling clutch is disengaged and the transmission brake is engaged. The rotational speed gradient and the mass of the transmission components to be braked are determined and used to calculate the current braking torque of the transmission brake. The current braking torque relates to the current regulated nominal pressure, and the determined values are stored in a control unit and used during subsequent actuation of the transmission brake.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Mario Steinborn, Jochen Breuer, Christoph Ruechardt, Thomas Jaeger, Roland Mair, Melchor Moro-Oliveros
-
Publication number: 20150100211Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and a transmission assembly having a stationary member, gear sets, an input member connected to one of the plurality of gear sets, a binary clutch assembly, and a transmission control module (TCM). The binary clutch assembly includes a freewheeling element which holds torque only in a first rotational direction and a binary device that, when engaged, prevents rotation of the binary clutch assembly in a second rotational direction, and that allows the binary clutch assembly to freewheel in the second rotational direction when released. The TCM executes a method via instructions to determine a total amount of clutch energy of the binary clutch assembly, compare the determined total amount of clutch energy to a calibrated clutch energy threshold, and delay an execution of the requested shift when the determined total amount of clutch energy exceeds the calibrated clutch energy threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2013Publication date: April 9, 2015Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Randall B. Dlugoss
-
Patent number: 9002598Abstract: A method of determining a fill current value of at least one frictionally engaging shift element of an automatic transmission. The automatic transmission includes a hydrodynamic converter at which a speed ratio arises and an output shaft. In a control sequence, with a stationary output shaft, the speed ratio is influenced by changing a control current, and the fill current value is determined from the progression of the speed ratio arising during the control sequence, in conjunction with the progression of the control current.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Thilo Schmidt, Valentine Herbeth, Klaus Steinhauser, Jorg Arnold
-
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
-
Patent number: 9002599Abstract: A method of controlling a transmission brake of an automated change-speed transmission, of a countershaft design provided with claw clutches, the brake being functionally connected, on its input side, to a transmission shaft and actuated hydraulically or pneumatically by way of inlet and outlet valves such that, for an upshift from a gear under load to a target gear, when the loaded gear is disengaged, in order to synchronize the target gear, first the inlet valve is opened and the outlet valve is closed, then to produce a substantially constant braking torque, the inlet valve is closed after having been open for a determinable opening duration, and to reach a synchronous rotational speed, the outlet valve is opened after having been closed for a determinable closing duration. The time during which the inlet valve is open is determined as a function of a specified characteristic parameter of the synchronization process.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2013Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventor: Marcus Gansohr
-
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
-
Publication number: 20150088389Abstract: A transmission control system is provided for used in a bicycle having a crank, a front sprocket that is rotatable independent of the crank, a rear wheel, a rear sprocket that is rotatable independent of the rear wheel, a chain that engages with the front sprocket and the rear sprocket, and at least one external transmission mechanism. The transmission control system is basically provided with a driving force output device, a detection device and at least one controller. The detection device is one of a rotational state detection device, a manual drive force detecting device and a speed detection device. The at least one controller is programmed to control the driving force output device to drive the chain and to control a gear shifting action of the at least one external transmission mechanism to shift gears, based on a comparison of the detection results by the detection device and a prescribed state or a prescribed value.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2014Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Jun GAO
-
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
-
Patent number: 8989971Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and compensating for pressure transducer errors includes a valve for regulating operation of a hydraulic device, a pressure transducer for detecting a pressure output from the valve, and a microprocessor comprising logic for computing a pressure measurement error of the pressure transducer. The pressure transducer is configured to output a pressure reading representing the detected pressure. The pressure measurement error may be computed using a first pressure reading from the pressure transducer taken at an operating condition in which the actual output pressure of the valve is substantially known, together with the substantially known actual output pressure of the valve.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2008Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: Mark L. Dell' Eva
-
Patent number: 8989977Abstract: A hill rollback control system and method for controlling a rollback speed of a motor vehicle with wheel brakes. Upon ascertaining that the vehicle is rolling back, the system and method determine, based on a grade angle of the terrain that the vehicle is traveling on and a temperature of a transmission, a target rollback speed for the vehicle. The target rollback speed is lower when the grade of the terrain is above a threshold value. Also, the target rollback speed is lower when the temperature of the transmission is above a threshold value. The actual rollback speed of the vehicle is set and maintained at the target rollback speed by applying the vehicle's wheel brakes.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2013Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Qingyuan Li, George Thomas, Ravikumar Bhadange
-
Patent number: 8989970Abstract: There is disclosed a continuously variable ratio transmission assembly (“variator”) comprising a roller which transmits drive between a pair of races, the roller being movable in accordance with changes in variator ratio, a hydraulic actuator which applies a biasing force to the roller, at least one valve connected to the actuator through a hydraulic line to control pressure applied to the actuator and so to control the biasing force, and an electronic control which determines the required biasing force and sets the valve accordingly, wherein the valve setting is additionally dependent upon a rate of flow in the hydraulic line.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2004Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Torotrak (Development) LimitedInventor: Stephen William Murray
-
Publication number: 20150081183Abstract: A method for the safe operation of a drive of a motor vehicle, the drive being controlled by at least one control unit, including acceleration monitoring in which the allowability of an operating state of the drive results as a function of a comparison of an ascertained actual acceleration with an allowable acceleration, a fault response being initiated as a function of whether a braking request is present, if the comparison shows that an inadvertent acceleration is present.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Matthias SCHUELER, Volker Gilgenbach, Magnus Oppelland, Dirk Wagner
-
Publication number: 20150081182Abstract: A hill rollback control system and method for controlling a rollback speed of a motor vehicle with wheel brakes. Upon ascertaining that the vehicle is rolling back, the system and method determine, based on a grade angle of the terrain that the vehicle is traveling on and a temperature of a transmission, a target rollback speed for the vehicle. The target rollback speed is lower when the grade of the terrain is above a threshold value. Also, the target rollback speed is lower when the temperature of the transmission is above a threshold value. The actual rollback speed of the vehicle is set and maintained at the target rollback speed by applying the vehicle's wheel brakes.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2013Publication date: March 19, 2015Inventors: Qingyuan Li, George Thomas, Ravikumar Bhadange
-
Publication number: 20150073669Abstract: A method for safety improvement when a motor vehicle (100) having a power train with an engine (230), automatic gearbox (240) and torque converter (237) is stationary and particle filter (320) for the exhaust gases of the engine (230) is being regenerated; The step of applying safety brake action to keep the vehicle (100) stationary despite torque transfer being maintained in the power train. The step of choosing in the gearbox (240) a gear step which is higher than an initial gear step of the gearbox (240) in order to reduce the torque transferred to the vehicle's tractive wheels (247a, 247b) when the vehicle is thus kept stationary. Also a computer programme product with program code (P) for a computer (200; 210) for implementing the method. Also a device for safety improvement when a motor vehicle (100) is stationary and a particle filter (320) for the exhaust gases of the engine (230) is being regenerated. Also, a motor vehicle (100) equipped with the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventor: Peter Carlson
-
Publication number: 20150073670Abstract: A deceleration indication value is set so as to prevent a collision between the vehicle and an obstacle on the basis of front side information or to prevent traffic lane deviation, and automatic braking is performed. When automatic braking is performed, a transfer clutch is coupled, a deceleration generated by synchronization of a main drive shaft and a propeller shaft is calculated, the deceleration indication value G is corrected based on the deceleration and a brake liquid pressure corresponding to a corrected deceleration indication value is applied to a brake drive unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventor: Koji MATSUNO
-
Patent number: 8977460Abstract: A method managing a device distributing engine torque between main and secondary wheel sets of a motor vehicle, the distributing device including an actuator distributing engine torque, a control unit exhibiting plural distribution modes of the engine torque and adopting one distribution mode as a function of a variable and a button selecting a distribution mode delivering an information item representative of the button position, the control unit determining, in regular operation, the variable, as a function of the information item; the method includes: detecting potential failure of the selection button, including verifying consistency of the information item; activation of degraded mode of operation, when a failure of the button is detected, in which a constant value is allocated to the variable; during degraded operation, monitoring end of failure, including verifying consistency of the information item; activation of regular mode of operation, when end of failure is detected.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2011Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.Inventors: Pascal Febrer, Francois Foussard, Stephane Guegan, Alessandro Monti
-
Patent number: 8977429Abstract: A system for shifting a vehicle's transfer case into or out of the neutral position, using an electronic vehicle information center. The system comprises a transfer case control module connected to a transfer case and an electronic vehicle information center connected to the transfer case control module. The electronic vehicle information center instructs the transfer case control module to shift the transfer case into or out of the neutral position by detecting an input signal request from a control panel to shift the transfer case into or out of a neutral position, and sending an instruction signal to the transfer case control module to shift the transfer case into or out of the neutral position.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Chrysler Group LLCInventors: Jeffrey C Hendry, Michael Mashkevich