And Other Vehicle Control Patents (Class 701/53)
  • Patent number: 8423250
    Abstract: An anti-collision control is provided under circumstances where it is determined that there is a risk of collision between a host vehicle and a preceding vehicle. The anti-collision control utilizes host vehicle information, preceding vehicle information, and surrounding road conditions to determine whether or not a collision with the preceding vehicle can be avoided through a steering operation. If avoidance is determined to be possible, then a shift-hold control is applied to the AT, whereas if avoidance is determined to be impossible, then a down-shift control is applied to the AT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshito Kondou, Takayuki Miyajima, Atsushi Takeuchi, Yoshiyuki Yasui, Hiroyuki Kodama
  • Patent number: 8423213
    Abstract: A vehicle control device for controlling a vehicle drive apparatus, the vehicle control device configured with a phase determining mechanism that determines the end of the torque phase in a shift operation, and a rotary electrical machine control mechanism that controls the torque of the rotary electrical machine using a variation of input torque. The vehicle control device is also configured with an engagement control mechanism that provides feedback controlling supplied oil pressure to an engagement side element as an engagement element on a side to be engaged after switching of shift speeds so that the rotation speed change rate of the input member becomes the target rotation speed change rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohei Tsuda, Yomei Hakumura, Masahiro Asai, Yoichi Tajima, Tomokazu Ito
  • Publication number: 20130090794
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for providing a smooth and stable synchronization operation of a transmission achieved in spite of the sudden change of a vehicle speed in the automated manual transmission (AMT) hybrid vehicle that suppresses a collapse of the synchronization by generating a torque by a motor connected to an input shaft in consideration of changes in inertia of the motor and a control target rotational speed during shifting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Byung Jun Sung, Sang Pil Jang
  • Patent number: 8417428
    Abstract: An alternator controlling method includes: performing alternator braking/driving force control such that alternator braking/driving force generated by an alternator mounted in a vehicle and applied to the vehicle is controlled based on a running state of the vehicle; calculating an SOC value based on a charge status of a battery; calculating an SOC correction value based on the alternator braking/driving force Fo; determining an accelerating/decelerating state of the vehicle; setting a target voltage based on the accelerating/decelerating state and the SOC correction value; and performing battery charging control by causing the alternator to generate electrical power based on the target voltage. This enables efficient recovery of energy produced during electrical power generation by the alternator, taking account of the alternator braking/driving force control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirotada Otake
  • Patent number: 8412422
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus including a brake mechanism that produces braking force through actuation of a first actuator, a shift mechanism that changes the shift position of a transmission through actuation of a second actuator, a controller that controls the electric power supplied to the first actuator and the electric power supplied to the second actuator; a first electric power supply unit that supplies electric power to the controller; a second electric power supply unit that supplies electric power to the first actuator; and a third electric power supply unit that supplies electric power to the second actuator. An actuator control unit controls the electric power supplied to the second actuator from the second electric power supply unit or from the third electric power supply unit when the second actuator is not able to operate using electric power supplied from the first electric power supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Kamada, Yasushi Hanaki, Naoki Taki, Akira Nagasaka, Yoshinobu Nozaki, Akira Nagae
  • Patent number: 8412423
    Abstract: An alarm apparatus for an automatic transmission may include a transmission control unit (TCU) controlling the automatic transmission of a vehicle, an accelerator pedal unit, a driving unit driving the accelerator pedal unit to perform a predetermined operation, and a control unit interworking with the TCU and controlling the driving unit such that the accelerator pedal unit performs the predetermined operation at a predetermined time before a speed change time, when the speed change time calculated and outputted by the TCU may be inputted to the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Eunsik Kim
  • Patent number: 8406969
    Abstract: In order to suppress the clutch applying shocks at a garage shift time of a continuously variable transmission equipped with a hydraulic type forward-backward switching device, an ECU starts a timer of a predetermined time period, when the engine starts. If the garage shift occurs before a timer-up, the ECU starts a standby oil pressure control to feed the forward-backward switching device with a standby oil pressure lowered to such a level as to leave the forward-backward switching device unapplied. The ECU calculates a first fill hydraulic value in accordance with the time period from the engine start to the garage shift operation. After the time up, the ECU ends the standby oil pressure control, and executes a first fill control at the first fill hydraulic value calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuya Shimozato
  • Patent number: 8406962
    Abstract: A method for determining an operating state of elements of a transmission may include acquiring rotational speeds of both members constituting the elements, determining whether the rotational speeds of the members may be the same, and determining that the elements may be directly connected when the rotational speeds of the members may be the same, and that the elements may be disconnected or slip when the rotational speeds of the members may be different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Youngchul Kim, Sanghyun Jeong, Jangmi Lee, Sanglok Song, Yeonho Kim, Jaeshin Yi, Haksung Lee, Seungki Kong
  • Publication number: 20130060433
    Abstract: When the vehicle decelerates on the ascending slope, a required brake axle torque is calculated in accordance with vehicle deceleration, so that the swinging back is suppressed. At start timing after that, initial and final values of the required brake axle torque and a correction duration are determined. During the correction duration from the start timing, the required brake axle torque is decreased from the initial value to the final value. Then, based on change in a detected vehicular speed at or before a time which is a last moment of a period in which the detected vehicular speed detected based on detection signals of the wheel speed sensors are equal to or larger than a minimum detectable vehicular speed, a stop time at which an actual vehicle speed becomes zero is estimated, a period from the start time to the stop time is identified as the correction duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicants: Denso Corporation, Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Maruyama, Masayoshi Takeda, Koji Fujiki, Daisuke Tokumochi
  • Publication number: 20130054099
    Abstract: A control system for a transmission engages at least three clutches to create braking within the transmission to slow a machine during a shuttle shifting operation. The control system may apply the clutches so as to allocate wear between the clutches equally or unequally, as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: TIMOTHY LORENTZ, MATHEW GULDAN, HOON LEE
  • Publication number: 20130054098
    Abstract: A control system for a transmission engages three clutches to create braking within the transmission to slow a machine during a shuttle shifting operation. The control system may apply the clutches so as to allocate wear between the clutches equally or unequally, as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Timothy LORENTZ, Mathew GULDAN, Hoon LEE
  • Publication number: 20130030648
    Abstract: In a control system, a first estimator estimates, as a first controlled force, a force being applied to a controlled object. A second estimator estimates, as a second controlled force, a force being transferred to the controlled object. An external force estimator estimates, as an external force, a force being exerted on the vehicle as the vehicle runs. A dynamics estimator estimates, based on the first controlled force, the second controlled force, and the external force, a value of a parameter that represents the dynamics of the controlled object. A compensator compensates for at least one of the first controlled force and the second controlled force such that the value of the parameter is within a preset target range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiki Matsumoto, Mamoru Sawada, Motoaki Kataoka
  • Patent number: 8364357
    Abstract: A shifting point display for indicating shift advice is provided in a motor vehicle having a manual transmission and a control unit for the continuous determination of a current operating point of the motor vehicle. At least one characteristic upshift indication curve or a characteristic downshift indication curve is stored in an electronic memory. An upshift indication or a downshift indication is displayed when the characteristic upshift indication curve or the characteristic downshift indication curve is reached by the current operating point and a currently differently engaged gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerd Kraemer, Alberto Croci
  • Patent number: 8359145
    Abstract: In an energy storage and recovery system for a hybrid vehicle 1, the operating ratio range of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) 10 which transfers drive between the vehicle's driveline 8 and a flywheel 9 is effectively extended by the use of an integrated starter-generator (ISG) 13 connected to the flywheel shaft 12. When there is a high mismatch of rotational speed between the propshaft 8 and the flywheel shaft 12, prior to connecting the two shafts by a clutch 11, the ISG 13 either spins up or decelerates the flywheel 9 until its speed is brought within the optimum operating range of the CVT 10. This measure reduces wear and tear on the clutch 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy James Bowman, Donatus Andreas Josephine Kees
  • Patent number: 8352109
    Abstract: A vehicle control device for controlling a vehicle drive apparatus, the vehicle control device configured with a release control mechanism that provides feedback controlling supplied oil pressure to a release side element, and an engagement control mechanism that increases supplied oil pressure to an engagement side element as an engagement element on a side to be engaged in a state that the differential rotation speed is substantially constant. The control device is further configured with a phase determining mechanism that determines if the torque phase has started when a condition that a phenomenon accompanying a change of the differential rotation speed due to increase of the supplied oil pressure to the engagement side element is detected is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohei Tsuda, Yomei Hakumura, Masahiro Asai, Yoichi Tajima, Tomokazu Ito
  • Publication number: 20130006487
    Abstract: A method for controlling engine temperature of an engine with a wide dynamic range is disclosed. In one example, the derivative of an engine temperature is assessed by a controller. The controller may adjust engine actuators to limit engine temperature in response to the derivative.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Carl Mukkala, Nathanael David Shaw, Jason Eugene Devries, Brian Michael O'Neil, Michael Joseph Guinta
  • Patent number: 8346446
    Abstract: A clutchless transmission apparatus and control method thereof. The transmission apparatus comprises a motor (10) and a transmission (20), said motor (10) is connected to said transmission (20) and supplies power to said transmission (20) via an input shaft of the transmission (20), wherein said apparatus further comprises a control device (30), which is electrically connected to said motor (10) and said transmission (20), wherein said control device (30) is configured to determine whether a gear-position shifting is required based on rotation speed of said transmission (20), if a gear-position shifting is required, regulates torque of said motor (10) to control said transmission (20) to disengage, and then regulates the rotation speed of said motor (10) based on the rotation speed of said transmission (20) to control said transmission (20) to engage for shifting gear-position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: BYD Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kai Liu, Jian Gong, Xuguang Zhou, Bo Zu, Guangming Yang, Axi Qi, Xiaohua Tang, Bo Zhou, Xunjin Xu
  • Publication number: 20120316739
    Abstract: An alarm apparatus for an automatic transmission may include a transmission control unit (TCU) controlling the automatic transmission of a vehicle, an accelerator pedal unit, a driving unit driving the accelerator pedal unit to perform a predetermined operation, and a control unit interworking with the TCU and controlling the driving unit such that the accelerator pedal unit performs the predetermined operation at a predetermined time before a speed change time, when the speed change time calculated and outputted by the TCU may be inputted to the control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicants: Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Eunsik KIM
  • Publication number: 20120316738
    Abstract: A control system and method for controlling a multiple gear ratio automatic transmission in a powertrain for an automatic transmission having pressure activated friction torque elements to effect gear ratio upshifts. The friction torque elements are synchronously engaged and released during a torque phase of an upshift event as torque from a torque source is increased while allowing the off-going friction elements to slip, followed by an inertia phase during which torque from a torque source is modulated. A perceptible transmission output torque reduction during an upshift is avoided. Measured torque values are used during a torque phase of the upshift to correct an estimated oncoming friction element target torque so that transient torque disturbances at an oncoming clutch are avoided and torque transients at the output shaft are reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher John Teslak, Gregory Michael Pietron, Hongtei Eric Tseng, Yuji Fujii, Michael Glenn Fodor, Diana Yanakiev, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 8326501
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a motor responsive to a first electronic control signal to transition between an active state and an inactive state and a transmission responsive to a second electronic control signal to transition between at least a reverse state, a neutral state and a drive state. A user-actuated control is mounted to an interior surface in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The control has at least one contact surface that contacts the user when the user operates the control, wherein the contact surface is integrated with a logo. A circuit is coupled to the control to generate at least one of the first electronic control signal and the second electronic control signal in response to user actuation of the control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan Hustyi
  • Patent number: 8301349
    Abstract: A control method and system for a vehicle transmission that incorporates gradient road resistance in selecting an appropriate gear ratio for an automatic manual transmission or an automatic transmission are disclosed. The traction resistance of a vehicle is calculated in order to determine the traction force required for maintaining, increasing, or decreasing vehicle speed in response to operator input. Traction resistance may be a function of rolling resistance, air resistance, and the component of the gravitational force acting parallel to the road surface. The change in traction resistance is also determined. The calculated traction resistance and change in traction resistance may advantageously be used to calculate an offset to a shift point motor speed in order to delay or advance a transmission upshift when climbing a grade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Ingo-Gerd Sauter
  • Patent number: 8287431
    Abstract: When shifting an automatic transmission into a higher gear, it is determined that an inertia phase has started when an input rotation speed of the automatic transmission has started to decrease. Here, if throttle opening amount reduction control is being performed to reduce the output torque of the engine when it is determined that the inertia phase has started, it is highly likely that that determination is erroneous because that control causes the input rotation speed of the automatic transmission (i.e., the engine speed) to decrease. When it is highly likely that the determination that the inertia phase has started is erroneous in this way, learning of a hydraulic pressure command value is prohibited. As a result, erroneous learning of the hydraulic pressure command value can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobufusa Kobayashi, Toshio Sugimura, Tomohiro Asami, Takaaki Tokura, Yoshio Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8290668
    Abstract: A control apparatus includes a shift-pressure learning correction controlling section configured to perform a shift-pressure learning correction in which a physical quantity representing a progress of shift is measured at a time of a current downshift, and in which an engagement command pressure for a friction element is corrected at a time of a next downshift on the basis of a divergence between the measured physical quantity and a target physical quantity; a shift-torque increase controlling section configured to perform a torque increase control in which a command for temporarily increasing torque of a drive source starts to be outputted when a start estimation timing of torque phase has just come during a transition period given between start and end of the downshift; and a learning convergence judging section configured to judge whether the shift-pressure learning correction has converged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Kazuki Hirasako, Masami Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8285450
    Abstract: A differential limiting control device for a vehicle calculates a yaw rate correspondence control amount according to deviation between actual yaw rate and target yaw rate when a vehicle turns, and also judges the vehicle's steering characteristic of the moment and magnitude relation between wheel speeds of right and left front wheels. The differential limiting control device then applies compensation toward an increase or decrease side based on a yaw rate correspondence control amount to a base control amount according to a combination of the steering characteristic and the magnitude relation between the wheel speeds, and controls a differential limiting force between the right and left front wheels based upon a final control amount obtained after the compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuichi Ushiroda, Kaoru Sawase, Yusuke Fujii
  • Publication number: 20120239264
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kojima, Masaki Nakagawara, Takashi Ozeki, Yoshiaki Tsukada
  • Patent number: 8255125
    Abstract: Earth moving equipment and other heavy machinery for environmentally harsh conditions are controlled by a control panel supplied with a lock, and such panels are frequently removable to prevent theft or unauthorized operation. The interface is in the form of a plug-and-socket, the parts of which have to be sealed against dust and humidity when not interfacing. In order to prevent wear and to assure reliable control, according to the invention, no part of the connection between the control panel and a receptable is galvanic, the power supply for the control panel is wireless, such as inductive or optical, while communications may occur by means of a two-way radio protocol or by optical means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Mikrofyn A/S
    Inventor: Anders Lindskov
  • Patent number: 8255587
    Abstract: A protocol adapter for transferring diagnostic messages between networks within a vehicle and a host computer. The protocol adapter operates as a voltage translator to support J1708 software. The protocol adapter also recognizes when the protocol adapter is connected to a host computer running the J1939 and/or J1708 protocols and automatically switches to that protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Dearborn Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. McClure, David M. Such
  • Patent number: 8249769
    Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle equipped with an engine, a planetary gear mechanism linked to the output shaft of the engine and to a driveshaft, a first motor linked the planetary gear, a second motor inputting and outputting power to and from the driveshaft, and a battery inputting and outputting electric power to and from the motors, when the battery temperature Tb is lower than the preset reference temperature Tbref, drive control prohibits the intermittent operation of the engine and controls the engine and the motors to output the torque demand to the driveshaft with warm-up control of the battery. When the battery temperature Tb is higher than or equal to the preset reference temperature Tbref and the cooling water temperature Tw is higher than or equal to the preset reference temperature Twref, drive control performs the intermittent operation of the engine and controls the engine and the motors to output the torque demand to the driveshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Itoh, Koji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8249783
    Abstract: A vehicle automatic transmission includes a plurality of gears provided on an input shaft, a countershaft, and an output shaft and are meshed with one another. A plurality of hydraulic clutches are each configured to couple any of the gears to the input shaft, the countershaft, or the output shaft to establish a predetermined shift stage. An engagement unit is configured to couple a reverse gear to the input shaft or the countershaft to establish a reverse shift stage. A shift-position detection unit is configured to detect a shift position. A vehicle-speed detection unit is configured to detect a vehicle speed. A control unit is configured to detect, based on an output of the shift-position detection unit, a first time and a second time. The control unit is configured to delay a timing when the engagement unit operates after the shift position changes to an R-position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Ishikawa, Joko Karasawa, Makoto Kobayashi, Yuji Koga
  • Patent number: 8239113
    Abstract: A vehicle control method for a vehicle having powertrain with an internal combustion engine and a transmission having a clutch, the method comprising of transitioning through a lash region of the transmission during clutch slipping conditions in response to a driver tip-in; and during the transition, first retarding ignition timing past maximum torque timing while increasing engine airflow, and then second, advancing ignition timing from the retarded timing while continuing to increase engine airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Doering, Brad Riedle, Rob Ciarrochi, Hank Kwong, John Rollinger, Frederick Page, Jeff Travis
  • Publication number: 20120197502
    Abstract: A system for calibrating an input electrical signal to an individual pressure control device includes the steps of providing a target pressure-to-current (P/I) threshold, providing a lower estimated P/I threshold, and providing an estimated P/I curve that passes between the target P/I threshold and the lower estimated P/I threshold. Next, the method determines a lower actual P/I threshold at a pressure equal to the pressure at the lower estimated P/I threshold. A maximum offset current is calculated from the difference between the currents at the lower actual P/I threshold and the lower estimated P/I threshold. Finally, the system calculates a calibrated P/I curve. The calibrated P/I curve includes the target P/I threshold and the lower actual P/I threshold. The slope of the calibrated P/I curve is calculated as a proportional value of the maximum offset current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Thomas H. Wilson
  • Patent number: 8234045
    Abstract: Systems and methods for mitigating failure mode effects in a steer-by-wire system. The system includes a controller configured to alter a direction of the vehicle when the controller is in a failure mode. A steering device is coupled to a detector. The detector is configured to detect a steering input from a driver and output a signal representative of the steering input. A first actuator is coupled to a first control device. The first control device is configured to generate a first control signal representative of the steering input when the controller is in the failure mode. The first actuator alters the direction of the vehicle by removing energy from the vehicle. A second actuator is coupled to a second control device. The second control device is configured to generate a second control signal representative of the steering input when the controller is in the failure mode. The second actuator alters the direction of the vehicle by adding energy to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: William Spadafora, David Llewellyn, Perry Paielli, Jason Kramer
  • Patent number: 8234048
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain system includes torque generative devices to transfer power to an output member. An operator torque request, a rotational direction and speed of the output member, and a signal output from a transmission range selector are monitored. When a change in a direction of intended motion is determined, the powertrain system can change rotational direction of the output member when the speed of the output member is less than a threshold. The powertrain can inhibit a change in the rotational direction of the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hanne Buur, William R. Cawthorne
  • Patent number: 8229618
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Louis Tolstedt, Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Patent number: 8229612
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle equipped with an engine, a planetary gear mechanism linked to the output shaft of the engine and to a driveshaft, a first motor linked to the planetary gear, a second motor inputting and outputting power to and from the driveshaft, and a battery inputting and outputting electric power to and from the motors. When a cooling water temperature Tw of the engine is lower than a threshold Twref, the intermittent operation of the engine is prohibited, and a controller performs a warm-up control on a condition that a battery temperature Tb is a preset reference temperature T?, while performing a low state of charge control on condition that a battery temperature Tb is higher than or equal to a preset reference temperature T? and lower than a preset reference temperature T?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Itoh, Koji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8224544
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to control an electro-mechanical transmission is provided, selectively operative in a plurality of fixed gear modes and continuously variable modes, and comprising first and second electrical machines and hydraulically-actuated clutches. Included is launching a vehicle so equipped, comprising operating the electro-mechanical transmission in a continuously variable mode to transmit motive torque from the first electrical machine to the driveline, and, selectively increasing an operating speed of the engine and selectively actuating a second clutch to transmit motive torque generated by the second electrical machine when an operator torque request exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jy-Jen F. Sah, Anthony H. Heap, Gregory A. Hubbard
  • Patent number: 8224512
    Abstract: A control system is provided which allows the operator of a marine vessel to select a transmission position (e.g. forward, neutral, or reverse) and an engine speed in the event that a throttle lever malfunctions. By providing messages to the operator on an annunciator and receiving selections from the operator on a plurality of push button switches, a microprocessor selects gear positions and engine operating speed in response to commands received from the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Dengel, Gene A. Smedema
  • Patent number: 8224538
    Abstract: An automatic transmission includes gears, torque-transmitting mechanisms, interconnecting members, an input member and an output member. A method of controlling the automatic transmission includes data acquisition from the output shaft torque sensor, commanding a hydraulic fluid pressure pulse time and a pressure pulse value to engage a first torque-transmitting mechanism, calculating a rate-of-change of a first data output from the output shaft torque sensor, calculating a rate-of-change of a second data output from the output shaft torque sensor, comparing the results of the rate-of-change calculations and adjusting the hydraulic fluid pressure pulse time and a pressure pulse value if the rate of change of the second data output is not equal to the rate-of-change of the first data output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Zhen Zhang, Shushan Bai, John R. Maten
  • Patent number: 8219289
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus for a vehicle that includes a brake mechanism that produces braking force through the actuation of a first actuator and a shift mechanism that changes the shift position of a transmission through the actuation of a second actuator. The vehicle control apparatus includes: a controller that controls the electric power supplied to the first actuator and that controls the electric power supplied to the second actuator; a first electric power supply unit that supplies electric power to the controller; a second electric power supply unit that supplies electric power to the first actuator; and a third electric power supply unit that supplies electric power to the second actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Kamada, Yasushi Hanaki, Naoki Taki, Akira Nagasaka, Yoshinobu Nozaki, Akira Nagae
  • Publication number: 20120173099
    Abstract: A method for setting a vehicle in motion: The vehicle includes a combustion engine for generating driving force for transmission to at least one powered wheel via a clutch and a gearbox. The driving force is selectively transmitted from the engine to the powered wheels by closure of the clutch. Gear changes by the gearbox are at least partly controlled by a control system. With the clutch closed and upon demand for the vehicle to be set in motion with the clutch closed, the control system activates the vehicle's starter motor with gear engaged, and uses the starter motor to accelerate the combustion engine to an initial speed which represents a speed at which the combustion engine will start.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Peter Juhlin-Dannfelt, Richard Boström, Peter Asplund, Johan Kingstedt
  • Patent number: 8214117
    Abstract: A driving force controlling apparatus includes a driving force controller configured to determine a state of a road surface. A driving force controller is configured to control a driving force of a vehicle based on the road surface state. A rear-wheel speed sensor is configured to detect a rear-wheel speed. A low-friction-coefficient road surface determining device is configured to determine whether the road surface is a low-friction-coefficient road surface using the rear-wheel speed on a predetermined condition. A determination prohibition device is configured to prohibit the low-friction-coefficient road surface determining device from determining whether the road surface is a low-friction-coefficient road surface, if (a) the rear-wheel speed sensor is abnormal, or if (b) a predetermined time has elapsed from when a shift range is changed from a reverse range to a drive range and/or (c) a gear position has become greater than or equal to a predetermined gear position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Ishikawa, Makoto Kobayashi, Takahito Fujita
  • Patent number: 8209073
    Abstract: A climate control system and method for optimizing energy consumption in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is provided. By varying evaporator temperatures based on occupant settings and environmental conditions, electric compressor speed can be optimized to provide the necessary cooling capacities resulting in energy savings. Determining the impact that increasing or decreasing engine cooling fan speed has on the overall energy consumption of the climate control system without affecting target discharge air temperature provides for energy saving opportunities. Optimizing energy consumption according to the provided strategy provides for improved fuel economy without sacrificing passenger comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Halim Wijaya, Gerhard A. Dage, Wayne Frank Buescher, Christopher Mark Greiner
  • Patent number: 8209103
    Abstract: The drive control of the invention adopted in a hybrid vehicle specifies an operation line L to give a greater torque in a low rotation speed area of an engine with an increase in vehicle speed and controls the operation of the engine according to the specified operation line L. The engine can thus be driven at a higher-efficiency drive point, while the driving-related background noise effectively masks some abnormal noise or muffled noise, which may be caused by the operation of the engine in a low rotation speed-high torque area. This arrangement desirably prevents the driver and the other passenger from feeling odd and uncomfortable due to the abnormal noise or muffled noise and enhances the energy efficiency of the hybrid vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shunsuke Oyama, Yasuhiro Kaya
  • Publication number: 20120158260
    Abstract: A method for an automatic transmission includes measuring torque of a component of the transmission using a torque sensor in communication with the component. The torque of the component is estimated from information other than the measured torque. The measured torque is rejected from being used in a control operation of the transmission if the difference between the measured torque and the estimated torque is greater than a selected threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yuji Fujii, Bradley Dean Riedle, Gregory Michael Pietron, Joseph F. Kucharski, Diana Yanakiev, Richard Reynolds Hathaway
  • Patent number: 8204611
    Abstract: A machine includes a master electronic control module and at least one secondary electronic control module. A method of operating the machine includes steps of determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the master electronic control module from an operating state to a low power state, and determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the secondary electronic control module from an operating state to a power off state by opening a power supply circuit. The method also includes steps of changing the secondary electronic control module from the operating state to the power off state, and changing the master electronic control module from the operating state to the low power state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Darrel Berglund
  • Patent number: 8204658
    Abstract: An automatic transmission control apparatus secures the safe operation of a motor drive through the use of a voltage determination unit that determines which one of a voltage detected by a control apparatus voltage detection unit and a voltage detected by a motor voltage detection unit is to be utilized as a duty reference voltage. The motor control apparatus controls the motor, based on a motor drive duty that a drive duty calculation unit calculates by use of the voltage selected by the voltage determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohisa Shoda, Shiro Yonezawa, Takeru Okabe, Osamu Ishikawa, Nozomu Kamioka, Masaki Horii, Yasufumi Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20120136543
    Abstract: An apparatus for parking control of an automatic transmission vehicle may include a speed detector that provides a controller with a vehicle speed, a shift lever detector that provides the controller with a position of a shift lever, the controller that analyses the vehicle speed and the position of the shift lever, and supplies a predetermined hydraulic pressure to brake elements and clutch elements in order to create drag on a parking gear shaft in conversion into a parking mode, and an actuator that supplies the hydraulic pressure to the clutch elements and the brake elements or discharges the hydraulic pressure from the clutch elements and the brake elements according to the control of the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Wookjin Jang, Jaeweon Jun, Kunsoo Jung, Chang Kook Chae, Jae Joon Seo, Wan Soo Oh, Jae Woong Hwang, Ho Rim Yang, Jin Hee Lee, Jin Soo Lee, Woochurl Son
  • Patent number: 8190341
    Abstract: A method of controlling an auxiliary pump for use with a transmission in a vehicle is provided, the vehicle having a system voltage/current. The method comprises: determining an optimal auxiliary pump start voltage/current; determining if the system voltage/current is less than the optimal auxiliary pump start voltage/current; if yes, determining if the auxiliary pump is in a start-mode and if a predetermined override condition has been met; determining if the actual auxiliary pump speed is less than a desired auxiliary pump speed if the auxiliary pump is in the start-mode; if not, determining if the auxiliary pump is in an on-state; and, increasing an actual auxiliary pump voltage/current to equal the optimal auxiliary pump start voltage/current if the actual auxiliary pump speed is less than the desired auxiliary pump speed or the predetermined override condition has been met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Karl Andrew Sime
  • Patent number: 8185283
    Abstract: First target torque of an engine is set based on a driver's operation, a vehicle behavior, and a request for shifting gears of an automatic transmission. The engine is controlled such that the difference between the first target torque and the actual output torque of the engine is reduced. Detection torque is calculated from an operation state of the engine. In consideration of dead time in control of the engine, calculation torque is calculated from the first target torque. In addition, first lookahead torque with the dead time in the engine being removed is calculated by feedback-correcting the first target torque according to an error e between the detection torque and the calculation torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Toshiya Oishi, Shogo Matsumoto
  • Patent number: RE43857
    Abstract: An automatic shift control is executed in an automatic transmission with 5 shift speeds of range hold type in the highest gear stage of a shift range at the manual shift mode. Upon selection of a shift mode from the automatic shift mode to the manual shift mode, the shift range at the manual shift mode is selected in accordance with the vehicle speed detected at the automatic shift mode. If the vehicle speed is in the low-speed range, the shift range 3 is selected. If the vehicle speed is in the medium-speed range, the shift range 4 is selected. If the vehicle speed is in the high-speed range, the shift range 5 is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Matsunaga, Yoshiharu Harada