By Changing Shift Map, Schedule, Or Pattern Patents (Class 701/55)
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Patent number: 11623713Abstract: A human-powered vehicle includes a crank axle, a first rotational body, a wheel, a second rotational body, a transmission body that transmits a driving force between the first rotational body and the second rotational body, a derailleur configured to operate the transmission body to change a transmission ratio, and a motor configured to drive the transmission body. A control device has an electronic controller configured to control the motor and drive the transmission body with the motor upon determining the derailleur has been actuated to change the transmission ratio and a predetermined condition related to pedaling is satisfied, and control the motor to increase a rotational speed of the motor as a difference of a first rotational speed, which is calculated in correspondence with a rotational speed of the wheel and the transmission ratio, and a predetermined rotational speed or a rotational speed in a predetermined range increases.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2020Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Hayato Shimazu, Mitsuhiko Kawasaki, Atsuhiro Emura
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Patent number: 11618447Abstract: A sudden acceleration prevention method for a vehicle includes the following steps, which may be performed by a controller: monitoring an output signal of an accelerator pedal sensor so as to obtain a detected operation state of an accelerator pedal, determining whether the detected operation state of the accelerator pedal is within a predetermined brake pedal operation range, determining whether the detected operation state of the accelerator pedal is within a predetermined accelerator pedal and brake pedal overlapping operation range if the detected operation state of the accelerator pedal is within the predetermined brake pedal operation range, and outputting an output reduction control signal of the vehicle if the detected operation state of the accelerator pedal is not within the accelerator pedal and brake pedal overlapping operation range.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2020Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Eun Sik Kim
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Patent number: 11608108Abstract: An automatic steering system comprises a controller. The controller executes target steering angle calculation processing. The controller further calculates a learning value of lateral acceleration. The learning value is calculated based on an error of a detected value of the lateral acceleration by an acceleration sensor and an estimation value of the lateral acceleration calculated using driving speed and yaw rate. In the target steering angle calculation processing, it is judged whether the acceleration sensor is normal. If it is judged that the acceleration sensor is normal, a target steering angle is calculated by using the detected value. Otherwise, the lateral acceleration used to calculate the target steering angle is switched from the detected value to a backup value of the lateral acceleration. The backup value is calculated using the estimation value and the learning value calculated before a timing at which the acceleration sensor is judged to be abnormal.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2021Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shun Maruyama, Takahiro Kojo, Yoji Kunihiro
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Patent number: 11598414Abstract: In one aspect, a method of controlling gear shifting in response to a driving mode change, the method including determining a maximum number of allowable low-level gear-shifting steps according to a result of determining a state of a transmission, computing an immediate post-gear-shifting expected speed of a turbine for each step included that is within the maximum number of allowable low-level gear-shifting steps, using a current speed of an output shaft of the transmission and a gear ratio of each step and comparing the computed expected speed of the turbine with a preset allowable speed thereof for each step, setting the lowest-level gear-shifting step, among gear-shifting steps at which the expected speed of the turbine and the allowable speed thereof satisfy a predetermined condition, is set to be a target gear-shifting step, and executing gear-shifting control for shifting a current gear-shifting step down to the target gear-shifting step.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2022Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: Hyundai Kefico CorporationInventor: Hyeong-Tak Lee
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Patent number: 11541852Abstract: A method for operating an accelerator pedal-controlled distance controller of a vehicle. The distance controller regulates a distance to a target vehicle as a function of an actuator pedal value of the vehicle and activates automatic braking operations as necessary. A braking operation is aborted when the accelerator pedal value is increased during the braking operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Thorsten Schori
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Patent number: 11535254Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain having an electric machine and a controller. The controller is programmed to, responsive to an accelerator pedal position exceeding a first threshold for a predetermined time period or a lateral acceleration of the vehicle being greater than a second threshold, transition the powertrain from a nominal driving mode to a performance driving mode. The controller is also programmed to, responsive to an increase in a steering wheel angle while in the nominal mode, maintain a power output of the electric machine at a driver demanded power defined by the accelerator pedal position. The controller is further programmed to, responsive to an increase in a steering wheel angle while in the performance driving mode, reduce a power output of the electric machine to less than the driver demanded power.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2019Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Allen Magolan, Zachary John Sinisi, Francis Thomas Connolly, Paul Stephen Bryan, Minku Lee, Jason Wroblewski
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Patent number: 11526961Abstract: An album creation application displays an image arrangement screen and an image selection screen, and image data selected by a user from among an image group is arranged in an image slot selected by the user on the image arrangement screen. Each of the image data, which is arranged in the respective image slots included in album data for which an order is confirmed, is analyzed so as to determine whether or not each of the image data is a target of high quality printing. Based on the analysis result, upsampling for increasing the resolution is selectively performed to the image data included in the album data. The album data is sent to an image printer.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2020Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yoshinori Hashimoto
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Patent number: 11474193Abstract: An apparatus and/or method includes localization of a mobile device. The localization technique is calibrated by prompting the mobile device for a collection of static position images for an image-based localization service, sending static position images to the image-based localization service, receiving, for the static position images, a plurality of localization values from the image-based localization service, calculating a correction for the plurality of localization values, and providing a location for the mobile device based on the correction for the plurality of localization values.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2020Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: HERE Global B.V.Inventors: Landis Huffman, Joshua Michael Finken, Amey Aroskar, Sumedh Rasal
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Patent number: 11430447Abstract: A device for voice activation includes one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to receive, via one or more microphones, a keyword and a first command spoken by a first user. The one or more processors are also configured to, subsequent to receiving the first command, receive a second command via the one or more microphones without an intervening receipt of the keyword. The one or more processors are further configured to, based at least in part on determining that the second command is spoken by the same first user, selectively process the second command.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2019Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Qualcomm IncorporatedInventors: Ashank Kumar Sinha, Pramod Kalvakota, Debasis Bhowmick
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Patent number: 11420631Abstract: A vehicle control device includes: a transmission control unit that can select a restricted mode in which the range of a gear ratio of a transmission is restricted and an unrestricted mode in which the range of the gear ratio is not restricted, and controls the gear ratio in accordance with the selected transmission mode; and a lane change control unit that, if the unrestricted mode is selected in a case where a lane change request has been acquired, keeps the unrestricted mode and performs lane change control in which a host vehicle changes lanes, and if the restricted mode is selected in the case where the lane change request has been acquired, selects the unrestricted mode and performs the lane change control.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kanta Tsuji, Yuta Takada
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Patent number: 11378182Abstract: A vehicle controller controls a vehicle including an engine and an automatic transmission. The vehicle controller includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit estimates power generable by the engine based on a condition of the engine and a condition of the automatic transmission in a non-driving range, calculates a load on the automatic transmission in a driving range based on a condition of the automatic transmission in the driving range, determines whether a difference between the power and the load is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold by which an engine stall is identifiable, and limits a gear shift request from the non-driving range to the driving range when the difference is equal to or smaller than the predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2021Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hayato Yoshikawa, Junichi Inoue, Tatsuya Kaneko
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Patent number: 11261959Abstract: A shifting control apparatus for a vehicle includes a stepped automatic transmission configured to switch shifting positions based on a shifting pattern stored in advance, characterized by comprising: a sensory evaluation input portion configured to accept at least one sensory evaluation made by a vehicle occupant in the vehicle with regard to traveling of the vehicle; an evaluation tendency determining portion configured to determine an emphasis tendency in the sensory evaluation with regard to a phenomenon of an evaluation target with which the vehicle occupant feels dissatisfied based on the sensory evaluation accepted by the sensory evaluation input portion; and a shifting characteristic changing portion configured to change a shifting characteristic of the stepped automatic transmission based on the emphasis tendency in the sensory evaluation with regard to the phenomenon of the evaluation target determined by the evaluation tendency determining portion so as to improve the sensory evaluation.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2020Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yuji Muto
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Patent number: 11124175Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid drive train of a motor vehicle (X) which has a combustion engine (VM), a transmission (G), an electric machine (EM), as well as a separation clutch (KO) positioned between the combustion engine (VM) and the electric machine (EM). During a purely electric drive operation in which the separation clutch (KO) is disengaged and, when a gear is selected in the transmission (G), and during expectation, reaching, or exceeding a rotational speed difference of the separation clutch (KO) is larger or equal to a limit value, and/or in an expectation, reaching, or exceeding a rotational speed limit of the electric machine (EM), the separation clutch (KO) is engaged. Further, an electronic control unit (ECU) executes the method and a motor vehicle (X) having such an electronic control unit (ECU).Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2020Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Moritz Riegger, Michael Sauter
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Patent number: 11097722Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a second rotating electric machine; a first transmission path configured to transmit force generated by the second rotating electric machine to a wheel; a first clutch that is arranged in the first transmission path and configured to switch between a connected state and a disconnected state between the second rotating electric machine and the wheel; and an ECU configured to control the second rotating electric machine and the first clutch. In the electric vehicle, a torque sensor is arranged between the first clutch and the wheel in the first transmission path.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2019Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Daisuke Hoshino, Yutaka Arimura, Tatsuya Ohzu, Shingo Soma, Yosuke Tanaka
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Patent number: 11016461Abstract: A control system includes: an operation interface generates operation amount information and priority information on the basis of an operation amount; an automatic control unit generates an automatic control output based on a predetermined input; a safety verification unit verifies the safety of the automatic control output; and an output control unit produces a control output in accordance with the automatic control output or the operation amount information on the basis of the automatic control output, the operation amount information, the priority information, and the safety verification result from the safety verification unit. The control output is generated in accordance with the automatic control output, in accordance with the operation amount information only when the control output is verified as safe by the safety verification unit, or in accordance with the operation amount information regardless of whether the control output is verified as safe by the safety verification unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2017Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.Inventor: Nobuyasu Kanekawa
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Patent number: 10969004Abstract: A vehicle includes a main body, a transmission having a plurality of gear stages, a data storage, and an electronic controller. The data storage stores vehicle running condition data that includes at least one of a prescribed vehicle running condition, a sensed vehicle running condition, or a transmitted vehicle running condition. The electronic controller determines a gear shift of the gear stages of the transmission based on a future vehicle speed that has been estimated based on the vehicle running condition data.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignees: SRI INTERNATIONAL, YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Keiji Nishimura, Thomas Low
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Patent number: 10865878Abstract: A vehicle control system to improve acceleration response and shift feel by executing a power-on downshifting in a suitable manner. An evaluation of a skip shifting and an evaluation of a stepwise shifting are compared to each other when executing the downshifting, based on an evaluation index calculated in advance in accordance with an operating condition of an accelerator. The downshifting operation to be executed is selected from the stepwise shifting and the skip shifting whose evaluation is higher than the other one.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2018Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akira Takeichi, Ayumu Sagawa
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Patent number: 10800397Abstract: A control apparatus for hybrid electric vehicle includes a shift operation detector and an electric motor controller. The shift operation detector detects an input of a shift operation. The electric motor controller controls an electric motor of the hybrid electric vehicle to generate motor torque directed to decreasing of torque difference, on a condition that: the input of the shift operation from a first stage into a second stage is detected by the shift operation detector; and first torque and second torque are different in magnitude from each other by the torque difference. The first torque is torque that is to be transmitted to a drive wheel during shifting of the automatic transmission. The second torque is torque that is to be transmitted to the drive wheel after the shifting of the automatic transmission is completed.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Fumiyuki Moriya, Yuichi Tanaka
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Patent number: 10800396Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a hybrid powertrain that includes an engine and a motor/generator are described. The systems and methods provide a way of prepositioning an engine to improve a range of driveline disconnect clutch transfer function adaptation. In one example, an engine is positioned at a location where its torque to turn exceeds a threshold torque.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2017Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stuart Ford, Alexander O'Connor Gibson, Corey Blue
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Patent number: 10773597Abstract: An autonomous vehicle controller includes a memory and a processor programmed to execute instructions stored in the memory. The instructions include determining a plurality of energy cost functions. Each energy cost function is associated with a combination of candidate variables. The instructions further include selecting one of the plurality of energy cost functions as a minimum energy cost function, determining a combination of candidate variables associated with the minimum energy cost function, and controlling acceleration of a host vehicle according to the combination of candidate variables associated with the minimum energy cost function.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2017Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Yanan Zhao, Chen Zhang, Ming Lang Kuang
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Patent number: 10752188Abstract: In one aspect, a system and method allow for various pairs of candidate gear ratios and engine speeds to be identified for achieving a desired ground speed of a work vehicle. The individual operating efficiency of the vehicle's fan and/or alternator may then be analyzed for each pair of transmission/engine settings to estimate the associated parasitic power loss(es) for such component(s). Based on the parasitic power loss(es) determined for each transmission/engine setting, a net engine power or torque requirement can be calculated and used as an input for determining the fuel efficiency of the work vehicle at each candidate setting. The gear ratio and corresponding engine speed of the candidate setting associated with the lowest fuel consumption may then be set as the target or desired transmission/engine setting for maintaining the work vehicle at the desired ground speed.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2017Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Brian A. Hartman, Rowland J. Milburn, Jr., Rajeshwar Adupala, Shreedhra Bindingnavle, Ashraf Omran
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Patent number: 10661776Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a transmission of a vehicle includes: a prediction device that obtains first driving data of the vehicle while driving in a predetermined section of a road ahead of a speed bump and predicts second driving data of the vehicle behind the speed bump, based on the first driving data of the vehicle; a calculation device that calculates a predicted gear ratio of the transmission, based on the predicted second driving data and a grade of the predetermined section of the road ahead of the speed bump; and a controller that determines a target gear ratio into which a current gear ratio of the transmission is to be shifted based on the predicted gear ratio and performs transmission control for the vehicle according to the determined target gear ratio.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2019Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONInventors: Jae Chang Kook, Kwang Hee Park, Byeong Wook Jeon, Sang Jun Park
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Patent number: 10661801Abstract: A transmission controller gives an engagement instruction to a forward clutch so that the forward clutch is engaged when a rotation speed of the engine becomes a target engine rotation speed set on the basis at least of a vehicle speed and a speed ratio of a continuously variable transmission after the engine is started, if a cancellation request for a sailing-stop control is made during execution of the sailing-stop control, and the continuously variable transmission is downshifted before the forward clutch is engaged, if the target engine rotation speed when the cancellation request for the sailing-stop control is made is less than a first predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoshimasa Nishihiro, Yusuke Oota, Shintaro Ohshio
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Patent number: 10619724Abstract: A method of adjusting deceleration dependent shift points to maintain a target minimum turbine speed includes calculating a vehicle speed offset based on vehicle acceleration rate a predicted downshift delay for the target minimum turbine speed and converting the target minimum turbine speed to a target vehicle speed based on the deceleration condition. Thereafter, the method continues with determining a target gear based on the vehicle speed offset and the target vehicle speed, and downshifting to the target gear having vehicle speed less than or equal to a vehicle speed corresponding to the current turbine speed. The method ends with maintaining the target gear until a shift delay period is greater than a predetermined delay threshold.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2017Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Henry R Wright, Brandon M Fell, Martin Gentile, Rainer Kloesel, Falko Hendrischke, Julian Heinz, Marcel Wachtel
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Patent number: 10539228Abstract: In the present invention: a road information acquisition unit (12a) acquires road information about a prescribed section of road ahead of a vehicle traveling at a first shift position; a vehicle information acquisition unit (12b) acquires vehicle information; a speed prediction unit (12c) predicts, on the basis of the road information and the vehicle information, the speed transition in the prescribed section for when the vehicle will have traveled through the prescribed section at the first shift position; and a gearshift control unit (12d) causes a transmission (5) to downshift to a second shift position when the minimum value of the predicted vehicle speed is less than a prescribed speed.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2016Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITEDInventors: Shinichi Ishiguro, Nobuyuki Nishimura, Masao Nishikimi
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Patent number: 10415701Abstract: An electronic control unit is configured to control a hydraulic pressures of engaging element and disengaging element in accordance with a preset target output shaft torque during a power-on downshift. The electronic control unit is configured to delay a start of decrease in the hydraulic pressure of the disengaging element from a start of a torque phase while maintain the hydraulic pressure of the disengaging element at the start of the torque phase. The electronic control unit is configured to start decreasing the hydraulic pressure of the disengaging element when the electronic control unit determines that overspeed of an input shaft is occurring during the torque phase and a predetermined condition is established.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2017Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tomohiro Chimbe, Norihiro Tsukamoto, Keisuke Ota, Tomohiro Asami, Hiromasa Takai, Daiki Fukuda
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Patent number: 10308234Abstract: A control device that switchably has a first drive mode which is attained with the fixing mechanism being in the non-fixing state and in which a rotational speed of the input is steplessly shifted and transmitted to the output and torque of the second rotating electrical machine is transmitted to the output, and a second drive mode which is attained with the fixing mechanism being in the fixing state and the decoupling mechanism being in the non-transmitting state and in which, with the second rotating electrical machine being decoupled from the output, the rotational speed of the input is shifted according to a gear ratio of the differential gear unit and transmitted to the output.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2016Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.Inventors: Shigeki Takami, Toru Souda, Tatsuya Hasegawa
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Patent number: 10304327Abstract: A method for adjusting a safety margin threshold of one or more driver support functions of a vehicle, to be suitable for a driving zone in which the vehicle is—or is to be—positioned comprises determining a geographical position of the vehicle, determining a driving zone associated with the vehicle position, which driving zone is selected from one or more pre-defined geographical driving zones, deriving previous statistical driving behaviour data indicative of one or more statistical driving style safety indicators associated with the driving zone, and adjusting a safety margin threshold of at least a first driver support function of the vehicle, based on the one or more statistical driving style safety indicators. The disclosure also relates to a driver support threshold adapting system in accordance with the foregoing, and a vehicle at least partly comprising such a driver support threshold adapting system.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2017Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATIONInventors: Per Landfors, Andrew Backhouse
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Patent number: 10274079Abstract: An electronic control unit is configured to set a target torque phase time which is used in torque phase control based on an output shaft torque difference. The electronic control unit sets the target torque phase time to be longer when the output shaft torque difference is large than when the output shaft torque difference is small. Accordingly, since the target torque phase time can be appropriately set, it is possible to achieve both of preventing a sudden change in driving force and torsion vibration of an output shaft and preventing a decrease in drivability due to hesitation at the same time. Sudden change in driving force and torsion vibration of the output shaft occur when the difference in driving force between before and after a gear shift is large. Hesitation occurs when the difference in driving force between before and after the gear shift is small.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2017Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tomohiro Chimbe, Norihiro Tsukamoto, Keisuke Ota, Tomohiro Asami
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Patent number: 10137897Abstract: A system and method that detects, using processing circuitry, a predetermined energy condition. The processing circuitry determines a geographic location of a vehicle, identifies at least one energy station as a function of a plurality of factors, determines a vehicle range based on an energy level of the vehicle and a first mode of vehicle operation, determines whether an energy saving condition is satisfied based on the vehicle range, a location of the at least one energy station, and the geographical location of the vehicle, and enters an economy mode when the energy saving condition is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2016Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventor: Christopher M. Higgins
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Patent number: 10054225Abstract: A self-propelled off-road agricultural vehicle with a dynamically reconfiguring speed control and display system is provided that allows for on-the-go range selection and range modification, without having to release a joystick control and while providing range and speed information on an animated or dynamically reconfiguring speedometer. The system may include an animated speedometer that automatically reconfigures to shown visually change in a manner that shows changed range characteristics including different ranges and different range maximum speeds. This may include changing color of a sweep portion of a dynamic scale of the animated speedometer. The system may allow dual speed change capability configured to allow an operator to change the limits of the speed ranges through either a touchscreen such as an HMI (human machine interface) or control buttons of a grip of a joystick.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2016Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Roy A. Bittner, Nathan Paul Brooks
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Patent number: 10005449Abstract: A motive power system includes a first energy storage, a second energy storage, an actuator, an internal combustion engine, an electric generator, a power transmission circuit, and circuitry. The circuitry is configured to control the power transmission circuit to charge at least the second energy storage via the electric generator. The circuitry is configured to control the power transmission circuit to charge the first energy storage with electric power supplied from the second energy storage when a first charge rate of the first energy storage is lower than a first threshold.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2017Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Daijiro Takizawa, Hirokazu Oguma
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Patent number: 9950709Abstract: A target ratio module selectively determines a target ratio of transmission input shaft speed to transmission output shaft speed independently of an accelerator pedal position and as a function of a vehicle speed and a driver axle torque request. A first pulley valve control module controls opening of a first valve based on the target ratio. The first valve controls transmission fluid flow to a first pulley actuator. The first pulley actuator is coupled to the transmission input shaft of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and expands and contracts based on transmission fluid pressure. A second pulley valve control module controls opening of a second valve based on the target ratio. The second valve controls transmission fluid flow to a second pulley actuator. The second pulley actuator is coupled to the transmission output shaft of the CVT and expands and contracts based on transmission fluid pressure.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Artin Farahani, Christopher Jay Weingartz, John E. Marano
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Patent number: 9874278Abstract: A control device for an automatic transmission disposed in a vehicle driving system, the automatic transmission having an engaging clutch as shift element, has a shift controller that performs a shift control of the automatic transmission. The shift controller is configured such that, during a shift control to release the engaging clutch in response to a first shift request and after determination of a releasing start of the engaging clutch, when a second shift request to engage the engaging cutch is generated, the shift control in response to the first shift request will be continued.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2013Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Ryohey Toyota, Atsushi Tsukizaki, Toshifumi Hibi, Yutaka Kaneko
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Patent number: 9765880Abstract: A hydraulic control device that includes a solenoid valve capable of supplying a first engagement pressure to the first engagement element; and a first cut valve that is interposed in an oil passage from the solenoid valve to the first engagement element and is capable of cutting off supply of a hydraulic pressure to the first engagement element, wherein only the first engagement pressure and a second engagement pressure serve as hydraulic pressures that act such that the first cut valve cuts off the supply of the hydraulic pressure to the first engagement element, and the first cut valve is switched so as to cut off the supply of the hydraulic pressure to the first engagement element when the first engagement pressure and the second engagement pressure are simultaneously supplied to the first engagement element and the second engagement element, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2014Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoshihiro Maeda, Nobuyuki Hirai, Masamichi Yamaguchi, Yoshimitsu Hyodo, Kenichi Tsuchida, Hiroyuki Kutsubo
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Patent number: 9726277Abstract: A hydraulic control device that includes a solenoid valve capable of supplying a first engagement pressure to the first engagement element; and a first cut valve that is interposed in an oil passage from the solenoid valve to the first engagement element and is capable of cutting off supply of a hydraulic pressure to the first engagement element, wherein only the first engagement pressure and a second engagement pressure serve as hydraulic pressures that act such that the first cut valve cuts off the supply of the hydraulic pressure to the first engagement element, and the first cut valve is switched so as to cut off the supply of the hydraulic pressure to the first engagement element when the first engagement pressure and the second engagement pressure are simultaneously supplied to the first engagement element and the second engagement element, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2014Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoshihiro Maeda, Nobuyuki Hirai, Masamichi Yamaguchi, Yoshimitsu Hyodo, Kenichi Tsuchida, Hiroyuki Kutsubo
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Patent number: 9701401Abstract: A system and method for objectively evaluating an airport runway condition, where conditions pertaining to aircraft landing factors are compiled and used to determine a runway braking condition. One set of conditions pertains to aircraft landing factors, including brake metered pressure, wheel speed, and aircraft deceleration, and a second set of factors relate to pilot controlled parameters. A condition report is generated and made available to pilots of subsequently landing aircrafts prior to landing.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2016Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc.Inventors: Ronald Raby, John Gowan, Gregg Duane Butterfield
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Patent number: 9702453Abstract: A system and method for automatically shifting a vehicle based upon monitored conditions. The system includes a sensor assembly configured to detect a tilt of the vehicle, an acceleration sensor configured to detect whether the vehicle is accelerating, and a throttle sensor configured to detect whether the throttle is activated. The system further includes a computer configured to automatically shift the transmission of the vehicle to neutral when all of the monitored conditions are satisfied. In one embodiment, if one of the conditions ceases to be satisfied, then the logic causes the transmission of the vehicle to shift back from neutral to the prior gear.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2016Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Inventor: Lam Dinh
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Patent number: 9611934Abstract: A shift control apparatus for an automatic transmission includes a controller. The controller is configured to control the automatic transmission. The automatic transmission includes a first input shaft, a second input shaft, an output shaft, a first clutch, a second clutch, and gear trains. In a case where a standby shift stage does not lie between a predetermined current shift stage and a target shift stage, the controller controls the first clutch to be disengaged and the second clutch to be engaged, and then controls a synchronizing device among synchronizing devices for the predetermined current shift stage to be disengaged and a synchronizing device among the synchronizing devices for the target shift stage to be engaged during a disengagement of the first clutch, and then controls the second clutch to be disengaged and the first clutch to be engaged.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2015Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Masashi Eto, Yoshiharu Saito, Hiroki Endo
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Patent number: 9464712Abstract: A vehicle includes a motor, a resolver which detects a rotation angle of the motor, an automatic transmission which shifts rotation of the motor and transmits the shifted rotation to a drive shaft, and an ECU which performs learning control for correcting an error of the resolver and shift control of the automatic transmission. The ECU controls the automatic transmission such that, when the learning control is performed, a gear ratio becomes higher at a prescribed vehicle speed, than that when the learning control is not performed. By controlling the automatic transmission as described above, even when the vehicle is traveling at a low speed, a rotation speed of the motor easily reaches a rotation speed at and above which the learning control of the resolver can be performed. Accordingly, an opportunity to perform the learning control of the resolver can be obtained early.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2015Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenji Uchida, Ryoji Sato
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Patent number: 9403532Abstract: The present invention provides a method of reducing the output speed of a transmission in a vehicle, whereby the transmission includes a speed sensor and a controller and the vehicle includes a proximity sensor. The method includes measuring the output speed with the speed sensor and comparing the measured output speed to an output speed threshold. The controller receives throttle percentage and compares the throttle percentage to a throttle threshold. The method further includes receiving an input signal from the proximity sensor and comparing the input signal to a signal threshold. The output speed of the transmission can be controlled based on the values of the measured output speed, throttle percentage, and input signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2010Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.Inventors: Randall S. Conn, Mark A. Rains
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Patent number: 9347557Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a vehicle with a transmission. In one example approach, a method for a vehicle comprises, during a transmission shift having a first engine speed profile, adjusting a transmission shift indication provided to a vehicle operator based on a desired perceived shift time and a desired engine deceleration rate.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Davor Hrovat
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Patent number: 9333911Abstract: In a vehicle equipped with a vehicle sound system, determining a virtual fixed gear ratio; determining a virtual RPM based on the virtual fixed gear ratio; generating a set of harmonic signals based on the virtual RPM, the harmonic signals being sine-wave signals proportional to harmonics of the virtual RPM; processing the harmonic signals to produce a set of processed harmonic signals; and in the vehicle sound system, transducing the processed harmonic signals to acoustic energy thereby to produce an engine sound within a passenger cabin of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2014Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Bose CorporationInventors: Cristian M. Hera, Ben J. Feng
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Patent number: 9297455Abstract: A method for modifying a default transmission shift schedule for a vehicle includes monitoring current vehicle parameters and determining future roadway information at a predetermined distance in front of the vehicle. Future vehicle parameters are predicted based on the determined future roadway information. The default transmission shift schedule is modified based on the current vehicle parameters and the predicted future vehicle parameters.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2012Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Dongxu Li
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Patent number: 9279495Abstract: A computer-implemented method and a control system are described for controlling the shifting of a vehicle, at least in part, according to its pitch. The method includes using a pitch-detection mechanism to determine one or more indicators of the pitch of the vehicle. The method includes receiving, at one or more computing devices, a signal associated with the pitch indicators and determining a pitch value for shifting. The method further includes determining, by the one or more computing devices, a shift procedure based upon, at least in part, the determined pitch value and implementing the shift procedure to effect a shift operation for the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: William J. Vande Haar, Jeffery M. Finley
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Patent number: 9272700Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 13, 2014Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideki Tamoto, Masayuki Arai, Yoshiro Obayashi, Kunihiro Iwatsuki
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Patent number: 9273777Abstract: In a manual transmission mode, a downshift instruction signal is outputted by a position sensor, and a shift range is lowered by one gear, as a result of an operation of a shift lever by the driver. The driving force of the vehicle is increased through downshifting. The number of times of downshifting within a predefined time is limited to a predefined number of times.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2012Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN AW CO., LTD.Inventors: Nobuyuki Tanaka, Masaya Amano, Shunsuke Oyama, Shoji Nagata
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Patent number: 9109693Abstract: A method of controlling the shifting of gears in a TMED-type hybrid vehicle may include a stage in which, in a case where it is required that a power-on upshift operation is performed simultaneously when engagement of an engine clutch is carried out in order to convert the driving mode from an electric vehicle (EV) driving mode to hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) driving mode, simultaneously performs the engagement of the engine clutch and the shift operation, thereby improving acceleration and shifting performances and providing a quick driving response for a driver.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2014Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANYInventors: Soo Bang Lee, Tai Jin Jung
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Patent number: 9080669Abstract: A system and method of selecting optimum gear of automobile is provided. The system includes a data processor; a running vehicle data collection module; an output module; and a memory. The memory is stored with universal characteristic curve of an engine, gear ratios of a gearbox, speed reduction ratios, and a tire radius. The running vehicle data collection module collects and sends a current vehicle speed, revolutions of the engine, and an output torque of the engine to the data processor. The data processor processes the universal characteristic curve of the engine, the gear ratios of the gearbox, the speed reduction ratios, and the tire radius to determine a current gear and an optimum gear. The data processor outputs the optimum gear to the output module if the current gear is not the optimum gear. The system can select optimum gear in real time and lower fuel consumption.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2013Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Xiamen King Long Motor Vehicle Inspection Co., LTD.Inventors: Yifan Xu, Xiaobing Chen, Weihong Ye, Fangming Zhou, Qiangsheng Liu
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Patent number: 9073533Abstract: A system for improving performance of a hybrid vehicle at higher elevations. The system includes a plurality of wheels, an engine, an altitude sensor, a transmission, a memory for storing target engine speeds, and a processor. The engine provides a torque to the plurality of wheels through the transmission, based on gear ratios limited by a wide open throttle (WOT) guard. The altitude sensor determines an elevation of the vehicle. Above a certain threshold elevation, the processor changes the WOT guard to improve performance at lower gears, such as standing start performance.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2013Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Christopher T. Gauthier