By Changing Shift Map, Schedule, Or Pattern Patents (Class 701/55)
  • Patent number: 8725343
    Abstract: A control device for an automatic transmission that outputs a command signal to an actuator to control the automatic transmission. The control device configured with a main control section that receives a state of the automatic transmission, that determines an abnormality in the automatic transmission on the basis of the input state of the automatic transmission, and that outputs to the actuator a main control section command signal for controlling the automatic transmission so as to establish a predetermined shift speed when it is determined that an abnormality is occurring in the automatic transmission; and a monitoring section that determines an abnormality in the main control section and that outputs to the actuator a monitoring section command signal for causing the automatic transmission to establish a neutral state irrespective of the main control section command signal when it is determined that an abnormality is occurring in the main control section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Shimizu, Masamichi Yamaguchi, Kenichi Tsuchida, Naoyuki Fukaya, Kazunori Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8725364
    Abstract: A control device controls a hydrostatic transmission vehicle having a hydrostatic transmission including a variable displacement pump and a variable displacement hydraulic motor. The control device is configured to set a set vehicle speed based on a forward/rearward travel command and a gear stage command instructed by an operator, to set a torque limit usable for the hydrostatic transmission based on an engine speed, to set a vehicle speed limit based on a pressure in the hydraulic circuit and the torque limit, to select a lower one of the set vehicle speed and the vehicle speed limit, and to control respective displacements of the variable displacement pump and the variable displacement hydraulic motor based on the selected vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Ishibashi, Masayuki Mukaino, Shigeru Yamamoto, Yoshitaka Onodera, Takao Ishihara
  • Patent number: 8725370
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus including: a bad-road control-mode switch configured to be manipulated by a driver; and a bad-road control section configured to perform a bad-road control when a bad-road control mode is selected by the bad-road control-mode switch, the bad-road control section including a shift changeover function configured to automatically change a shift state of vehicle between a forward running and a reverse running, and a driving-force applying section configured to reduce a driving force acting on a road-wheel when the shift state of vehicle is changed by the shift changeover function, and configured to apply a predetermined driving force to the road-wheel when a predetermined time has elapsed after the change of shift state, as the bad-road control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Ohtsu
  • Patent number: 8719155
    Abstract: A vehicle rental transaction system and method which provide a vehicle lot owner with a choice of options for vehicle security and customer convenience. The vehicle rental transaction system includes a computer for identifying a customer as part of a rental transaction involving a vehicle, and for sending a wireless message to the vehicle containing instructions for preparing the vehicle for the customer. Example instructions include, but are not limited to, unlocking doors and a trunk of the vehicle, adjusting power seats and power mirrors in accordance with customer preferences, adjusting climate control settings in accordance with the customer preferences, adjusting radio station settings in accordance with the customer preferences, and adjusting GPS settings in accordance with the customer preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Q. Maney
  • Patent number: 8718884
    Abstract: A method and associated system for compensation of vehicle speed lag resulting from changing load conditions in a continuously variable transmission (CVT) vehicle includes detecting and measuring true engine torque resulting from load changes placed on the vehicle engine. A true engine speed droop is calculated from the true engine torque. A compensated engine speed signal is generated based on the calculated true engine speed droop and is applied to the engine to produce a true engine speed that corresponds to a target engine speed at the load condition corrected for true engine speed droop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Yanming Hou
  • Publication number: 20140121918
    Abstract: A system and method involves a machine having a power train including a continuously variable transmission (CVT) associated with a plurality of virtual gear ratios. To shift between the plurality of virtual gear ratios, the machine may include an operator input device that may be movable between a plurality of distinct positions. A first position may be associated with a neutral position in which no shifting of virtual gear ratios occurs. A second position of the operator input device may be associated with a first incremental rate for shifting between the virtual gear ratios. A third position may be associated with a second incremental rate for shifting between the virtual gear ratios which is different than the first incremental rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Davis, Adam Nackers, Michael D. Beyer, Shane C. McBride
  • Publication number: 20140121919
    Abstract: A system and method involves a machine that powertrain including a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a machine speed sensor to determine a measured machine speed. The machine also includes a controller in communication with the CVT and the speed sensor. The controller may include a table relating the measured machine speed to a plurality of virtual gear ratios associated with the CVT. The controller is configured to determine a calculated virtual gear ratio using the table and, if desired, may display the calculated virtual gear ratio on a visual display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Adam Nackers, Kevin Davis
  • Patent number: 8712654
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of selecting and implementing a shift schedule for a transmission in a vehicle that includes an output speed sensor and a controller. The method includes measuring output speed with the output 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 also includes calculating output acceleration and transmission gear ratio with the controller. The shift schedule is selected based on the measured output speed, calculated output acceleration, calculated transmission gear ratio, and throttle percentage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Shultz, Jared S. Shattuck
  • Patent number: 8712655
    Abstract: A control system is provided for shifting an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, which includes, but is not limited to a speed controller, and an electronic control device. Through the electronic control device the parameters vehicle speed, position of the speed controller and acceleration of the speed controller can be captured. Through the electronic control device and through comparison of the captured values of the parameters with predetermined reference values a shifting time is determined for shifting the automatic transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Martin Gentile, Gernot Becker
  • Patent number: 8712653
    Abstract: A transmission control system for regulating operation of an automatic transmission of a vehicle includes a first module that provides a predetermined shift schedule including upshift and downshift lines and a second module that offsets each of the upshift and downshift lines by an offset amount to provide modified upshift and downshift lines when a deceleration of the vehicle exceeds a threshold deceleration. A third module regulates operation of the automatic transmission based on the modified upshift and downshift lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventors: Jayson S. Schwalm, David W. Wright, Christopher A. Spangler, Andriy Nikitin
  • Patent number: 8712649
    Abstract: A transmission controller permits a 2-1 shift, in which a gear position of a subtransmission mechanism is changed from a second speed to a first speed, when an accelerator pedal has been depressed to or above a predetermined opening. The gear position of the subtransmission mechanism is changed from the second speed to the first speed when an actual through speed ratio passes a mode switch line from a High side to a Low side while the 2-1 shift is permitted in the subtransmission mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignees: Jatco Ltd, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tateki Jozaki, Hideaki Suzuki, Ryousuke Nonomura, Mamiko Inoue, Seiichiro Takahashi, Tatsuo Ochiai, Masato Koga, Masaaki Uchida, Ryoji Kadono
  • Publication number: 20140114541
    Abstract: The noise caused by the coupling and decoupling of the gear generated when ignition on and off of a dual-clutch mounted vehicle in the P range are switched to each other, and the merchantability of the vehicle can be increased by improving the noise performance of the vehicle by preventing the noise generated by the coupling of the gear as possible from being remarkable in other shift ranges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Young Min YOON
  • Patent number: 8694217
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for adjusting a gear map. The present invention can be an automobile including a continuously variable transmission system, an ignition detecting ignition data, and/or a display unit. The continuously variable transmission system can include a continuously variable transmission, a memory storing a gear map including virtual gears, a gear adjustment mode input unit detecting gear adjustment mode data, and/or a processor. The processor can control the continuously variable transmission to operate at a desired engine speed for a specific automobile speed using the gear map. The processor can adjust the gear map using the gear adjustment mode data, and/or the ignition data. The processor can control the display unit to display information to prompt the user to supply the gear adjustment mode data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Eugene Fleming, Avernethy Francisco, Christopher Bartlett Gregg
  • Patent number: 8694218
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of selecting and implementing a shift schedule for a transmission in a vehicle that includes an output speed sensor and a controller. The method includes measuring output speed with the output 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 also includes calculating output acceleration and transmission gear ratio with the controller. The shift schedule is selected based on the measured output speed, calculated output acceleration, calculated transmission gear ratio, and throttle percentage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Shultz, Jared S. Shattuck
  • Patent number: 8688336
    Abstract: A system for controlling power downshifts of a transmission includes a flare generation module, a flare control module, and a shift control module. The flare generation module generates turbine speed flare by decreasing pressure applied to an off-going clutch of the transmission. The flare control module decreases the turbine speed flare by increasing the pressure applied to the off-going clutch of the transmission. The shift control module increases a pressure applied to an on-coming clutch of the transmission when the turbine speed flare is less than a predetermined amount from a desired turbine speed flare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Todd J. Thor
  • Patent number: 8682519
    Abstract: A method operates a hybrid drive of a motor vehicle, which hybrid drive has an internal combustion engine and a first electric machine. The method generates, in response to a predefined setpoint torque value, a composite torque which drives the motor vehicle. In a transient operating mode which occurs during a change of the predefined setpoint torque value by a value, the composite torque is generated by summing a drive torque which is generated by the internal combustion engine and a drive torque which is generated by the first electric machine. At least one second electric machine is provided which is switched on during the transient operating mode in order to generate the composite torque of the internal combustion engine and of the first electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Ruben Maier, Harald Brunner, Alexander Kruse
  • Patent number: 8682547
    Abstract: At an actual engine rotary speed corresponding to a partially engaged state of a starting clutch, a target gear ratio control of a continuously variable transmission is performed by determining a target gear ratio from a target engine rotary speed. At an actual engine rotary speed corresponding to an engaged state of the starting clutch, the gear ratio is controlled in a manner such that the actual engine rotary speed converges with a target engine rotary speed. Accordingly, when it is intended to start the vehicle with a comparatively large throttle opening, it is possible, at the partially engaged condition, to obviate a rise in the actual engine rotary speed with the gear ratio position sticking to a desired position, so that a predetermined driving force is attained when the starting clutch is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasutaka Usukura
  • Publication number: 20140081491
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a torque generating device, a transmission, and a controller. The transmission has one or more clutches. The controller executes a method, which includes measuring an amount of slip across an identified offgoing clutches and determining whether the offgoing clutches have slipped prior to a modeled clutch torque capacity reaching zero. A status is assigned indicating that the offgoing clutches are released if the offgoing clutch has slipped prior to the modeled clutch capacity reaching zero. The controller induces slip across the identified offgoing clutches to a calibrated low, non-zero level after recording the value, including by enforcing the low, non-zero slip value using one or more acceleration profiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Pinaki Gupta, Lawrence A. Kaminsky, Sean W. McGrogan, Anthony H. Heap
  • Patent number: 8676423
    Abstract: It is known to charge the battery in a hybrid vehicle with a generator such that the efficiency (electric power per fuel quantity) is maximal. It is known that the consumption-optimized mode can be terminated in order to charge the battery faster. A mathematical calculation rule is applied to the optimal value of the efficiency in order to determine a value for an efficiency which then indicates a load point shift for the internal combustion engine. In particular, constant percentages can be used which are applied to the inverse efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Boris Blasinski, Rene Kasteneder
  • Patent number: 8676455
    Abstract: A method in a system having a transmission and a drive system component is disclosed. The transmission includes two or more gears defining one or more gear ratios and a gear-selection controller having shifting schedules and the drive system component includes a drive system component controller. The method comprises dynamically generating adjustment information having information selected from the group consisting of (i) a desired gear selection; (ii) a desired drive system component speed operating point (iii) engine fuel economy improvement information related to a selection of a desired gear of the two or more gears; (iv) a drive system component energy efficiency map, and (v) a combination thereof, and wherein the generated information relates to one or more given drive system component power levels and adjusting the shifting schedules using the adjustment information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignees: Eaton Corporation, Cummins Inc., PACCAR Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Busdiecker, Vivek A. Sujan
  • Patent number: 8670907
    Abstract: A first acceleration gear ratio is acquired for accelerating a host vehicle in a first acceleration zone following a first zone ahead of the host vehicle, and a second acceleration gear ratio is acquired for accelerating the host vehicle in a second acceleration zone following a second zone ahead of the first zone. A control is executed to set the gear ratio of the host vehicle to the first acceleration gear ratio in a first deceleration zone in order to decelerate the host vehicle before entering the first zone. A control is executed to set the gear ratio of the host vehicle to the second acceleration gear ratio when the host vehicle must decelerate with respect to the second zone while traveling in the first acceleration gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshito Kondou, Takayuki Miyajima, Atsushi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8666619
    Abstract: A method includes: receiving M solenoids, each marked with a unique one of M identifiers, where M is an integer greater than one; receiving M lookup tables associated with respective ones of the M identifiers, wherein each of the M lookup tables establishes a relationship between input current and output pressure for only one of the M solenoids; assembling a transmission with a selected one of the M solenoids; selecting one of the M lookup tables based on one of the M identifiers marked on the selected one of the M solenoids; storing the selected one of the M lookup tables in memory of a transmission control module of a vehicle that is assembled with the transmission; and controlling output pressure of the selected one of the M solenoids based on the selected one of the M lookup tables and the input current using the transmission control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventors: Christopher G. Benson, Matthew R. Malik, Steven Mark Bezdek, Timothy P. Philippart, Martha A. Crisler, Stonewall J. Craig
  • Patent number: 8666620
    Abstract: A method of controlling an automated stepped transmission disposed in a drive train of a motor vehicle in conjunction with a turbo-charged internal combustion engine. In which the control of start-up and shifting procedures depends on the response behavior of the internal combustion engine. In order to enable control of the start-up and shifting processes with considerably lower coordination effort, the actual response behavior of the internal combustion engine is taken from an engine dynamics characteristic map in which the immediately available maximum torque (Mmax) of the internal combustion engine is stored as a function of the current engine torque (MM) and the current engine speed (nM, thus (Mmax=f(MM, nM)).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Roland Mair
  • Patent number: 8657720
    Abstract: A shift control apparatus for a continuously variable transmission includes: a target transmission gear ratio setting section configured to set a target transmission gear ratio with reference to a map based on an accelerator opening degree and a vehicle speed; a shift control section configured to control a shift of the continuously variable transmission based on the target transmission gear ratio; and a downshift restricting section configured to judge whether or not a restriction of the downshift is needed based on at least one of a variation amount of the accelerator opening degree and an accelerator depression speed, and to perform the restriction of the downshift when the downshift restricting section judges that the restriction of the downshift is needed, irrespective of a variation of the accelerator opening degree inputted to the target transmission gear ratio setting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Tomoaki Kabe, Nobuhiko Morifuji, Keisuke Ichikawa, Nobuhide Kato, Yuki Ono, Hiromu Ogino, Yukinobu Sakakibara, Hisao Nakanishi, Takahiro Nakata, Mitsuki Ishizuka
  • Patent number: 8655560
    Abstract: A control apparatus and a control method for a vehicular drive apparatus that includes a driving power source, and a power transmission device that transmits power from the driving power source to a drive wheel are provided. It is determined that a malfunction occurs in the power transmission device, when a comparison value remains equal to or above a predetermined value for a predetermined period. The comparison value is obtained by making a comparison between an actual value and a theoretical value that relate to a rotational speed of a predetermined rotational member that constitutes at least a part of the vehicular drive apparatus. The predetermined period is set according to an operating state of the power transmission device. Thus, it is possible to reduce the possibility that it is erroneously determined that a malfunction occurs, and to quickly determine that a malfunction occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tooru Matsubara, Atsushi Tabata, Masakazu Kaifuku, Hidenori Katoh
  • Patent number: 8620542
    Abstract: It is provided a vehicle shift control apparatus that electrically controls switchover of a shift range of a transmission based on a position signal corresponding to an operational position in a shift operating device, the vehicle shift control apparatus being capable of storing therein a determination result of whether the position signal is normal or abnormal, the shift range being switched based on the position signal acquired when a vehicle electric power supply is turned on if a memory of the determination result is retained when the vehicle electric power supply is turned on, the shift range not being switched based on the position signal acquired when the vehicle electric power supply is turned on if the memory of the determination result is not retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koki Ueno, Takahiko Tsutsumi, Hiroatsu Endo
  • Patent number: 8617028
    Abstract: A system is provided for managing torque in a vehicle driveline coupled to an internal combustion engine and to a hybrid motor/generator. An engine control circuit provides to a transmission control circuit an engine torque value corresponding to torque applied by the engine to the driveline. A hybrid control circuit provides to the transmission control circuit a motor torque value corresponding to torque applied by the hybrid motor/generator to the driveline. The transmission control circuit controls operation of at least one friction device and controls shifting of the transmission, and also manages torque applied to the drive line by the engine and by the hybrid motor/generator based on the engine torque value and the motor torque value such that the friction device control and shift schedule instructions do not require modification to accommodate inclusion of the hybrid motor/generator in the system or exclusion of the hybrid motor/generator from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kresse, Jeffrey Runde
  • Patent number: 8620543
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain having first and second rotatable members, speed sensors, and a controller. The speed sensors generate output signals encoding the speeds of the respective first and second rotatable members. The controller calculates a rotation angle of the members using the output signals and estimates a torque value in the powertrain as a function of the rotation angles. The sensors may count the teeth of respective first and second toothed gear elements and encode the count as the output signals. The controller may estimate the torque value as a function of a linear coefficient and the present gear ratio of the sensors. The controller may also detect a commanded upshift of the transmission and detect a fill event of an oncoming clutch of the transmission as a function of the corresponding rotation angles for the rotatable members. The members may be input, output, or intermediate members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dongxu Li, Kumaraswamy V. Hebbale, Farzad Samie, Chunhao J. Lee, Chi-Kuan Kao
  • Patent number: 8612105
    Abstract: A system for control of a gearbox, having at least one control unit controlling the gearbox where the gearbox is installed in a motor vehicle having an engine connected to drive the gearbox. The system effects a first upshift from a first gear to a second gear if the acceleration a for the vehicle is greater than nil for the second gear and the current engine speed is within a first engine speed range; and effects a second upshift from the first gear to a third gear if the current engine speed is within a second engine speed range. The first speed range is lower than the second speed range of the engine. A method, a motor vehicle, a computer program and a computer program product for the method are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Swartling, Peter Asplund, Mikael Öun
  • Patent number: 8606449
    Abstract: A method for protecting a battery of a hybrid vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention for a hybrid vehicle which selectively drives a motor by electricity of the battery and selectively charges the battery by electricity generated by driving of the motor. More specifically, the present invention provides a method and system that determines whether the motor is running at a speed that is greater than or equal to a predetermined speed, determines whether the motor has malfunctioned; determines a target shift speed by applying overcharge protection shift map in response to a determination that the motor is operating a speed greater than or equal to the predetermined speed and the that the motor is malfunctioning. Upon making this determination, the present invention performs a shift to the target shift speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Seok Young Yun
  • Patent number: 8606474
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a continuously variable transmission (CVT). In one embodiment, the method includes receiving vehicle operation data. The method also includes controlling engine and transmission operations based on the vehicle operation data, fuel efficiency data, and CVT efficiency data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Linsong Guo, Tim R. Frazier
  • Patent number: 8606453
    Abstract: Messaging in a controller area network is modified to hide thermal engine torque and angular velocity change requests originating with selected nodes with relatively low contention access priority from an engine controller and to route the messages instead through an intermediary controller which is an independent source of thermal engine torque and angular velocity change requests. More specifically, in a hybrid vehicle having a body controller with operational control over power take off equipment, a hybrid controller and a thermal engine controller, angular velocity and torque change requests to support power take off operation are embedded in auxiliary input/output messages. The hybrid controller operates on these auxiliary messages, conflating the embedded angular velocity and torque change requests with its own and rebroadcast in conventional form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Jay E Bissontz
  • Patent number: 8600635
    Abstract: When a select lever is in a drive range, a microcomputer reads a value of an output voltage by a switch-operation-signal output circuit after detecting that both shift-up switch and shift-down switch are substantially simultaneously turned on, checks whether or not the output voltage by the switch-operation-signal output circuit is the output voltage indicating that the switch after a predetermined time has elapsed is in a normal condition, and only when the output voltage is such an output voltage, permits a manual mode of an automatic transmission and when the output voltage is not such an output voltage, cancels the manual mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Wakita, Yoshiyuki Nagayama
  • Patent number: 8583309
    Abstract: When the gearshift position SP is the N position and the accumulated charge ratio SOC of the battery is less than or equal to the threshold value Slow (step S120), the engine is cranked by a first motor (the motor MG1) and started in the case that the vehicle stop is held (steps S140 and s150). After the engine is started, the shutoff of the inverter for driving the motor MG1 is performed and the self-sustained operation of the engine is performed at the rotation speed N1 at which the back electromotive force generated on the motor MG1 is more than the voltage applied to the inverters (steps S180 to S200).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiji Kaita, Takahiko Hirasawa
  • Publication number: 20130297162
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle having an engine and motor in series with a step ratio automatic transmission shifts the transmission according to a first shift schedule based on driver demand and output speed or a second shift schedule based on efficient operating speeds of the engine and motor associated with the target gear ratio. A powertrain controller continually calculates engine and motor speeds and torques associated with target gear ratios for the second shift schedule to select a gear ratio based on operating efficiency. An arbitration strategy may compare a weighted target gear ratio from the first schedule shift schedule to a weighted target gear ratio from the second shift schedule to dynamically select a desired target gear for powertrain control management.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Zhengyu Dai, Hong Jiang
  • Patent number: 8571769
    Abstract: The present subject matter includes a control method to position a solenoid valve using dithering. The control method provides the steps of: determining a target current across the solenoid valve which is expressed in digital form with a given minimum quantization interval, adding a dithering square wave to the target current, controlling the voltage applied to the solenoid valve to cause the current across the solenoid valve to track the target current added to the dithering square wave, jiggling the dithering square wave with a frequency which is a sub-multiple with respect to the maximum variation frequency of the current across the solenoid valve, and varying the amplitude of the dithering square wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alfonso Tarantini, Bruno Imperioli, Luca Poggio
  • Patent number: 8566021
    Abstract: Methods and systems for generating, deriving, and enhancing drivable road databases are provided. A baseline road in a road network is defined and position and/or trajectory data collected by vehicles traveling the baseline road are compiled and compared to a representation of the baseline road in an existing database. Identity and/or other property information about the road are assigned form the existing database to the new database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Dash Navigation, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Smartt
  • Publication number: 20130275015
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain having first and second rotatable members, speed sensors, and a controller. The speed sensors generate output signals encoding the speeds of the respective first and second rotatable members. The controller calculates a rotation angle of the members using the output signals and estimates a torque value in the powertrain as a function of the rotation angles. The sensors may count the teeth of respective first and second toothed gear elements and encode the count as the output signals. The controller may estimate the torque value as a function of a linear coefficient and the present gear ratio of the sensors. The controller may also detect a commanded upshift of the transmission and detect a fill event of an oncoming clutch of the transmission as a function of the corresponding rotation angles for the rotatable members. The members may be input, output, or intermediate members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Dongxu Li, Kumaraswamy V. Hebbale, Farzad Samie, Chunhao J. Lee, Chi-Kuan Kao
  • Patent number: 8560188
    Abstract: A sport running estimated value LEVELSP obtained by searching a value on a map prepared in advance based on an average values AGYAVE of lateral accelerations GY of a vehicle and on average values of vehicle speed changes is calculated, and a vehicle speed on a shift map is searched based on the sport running estimated value LEVELSP and an estimated value DA of a vehicle gradient, whereby a downshift vehicle speed VA at which a downshift is implemented is calculated. Then, the downshift is implemented in a case where actuation of a brake is detected, deceleration of the vehicle is a predetermined value or more, and a current vehicle speed is a downshift vehicle speed VA or more. In such a way, running on a meandering road, for which the downshift and a subsequent shift hold should be implemented, is sensed appropriately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Ishikawa, Hiroshi Saito, Yasuhiro Gokan
  • Patent number: 8560189
    Abstract: Continuously variable transmission includes: a variator; a stepwise auxiliary transmission mechanism; and a shift controller configured to set a desired through transmission ratio based on the calculated desired target rotational speed, the shift control section including; a slope road upshift prohibiting section configured to prohibit upshift of the auxiliary transmission mechanism when the vehicle runs on a slope road, and a slope road upshift section configured to upshift the auxiliary transmission mechanism when the vehicle runs in a predetermined running state when the slope road upshift prohibiting section prohibits upshift of the auxiliary transmission mechanism, and to perform the shift of the auxiliary transmission mechanism while the transmission ratio of the variator is varied in accordance with the variation of the transmission ratio of the auxiliary transmission mechanism to prevent varying the through transmission ratio even when the vehicle runs on the slope road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Tanaka, Takuichiro Inoue, Ryousuke Nonomura, Takashi Eguchi, Mamiko Inoue, Seiichiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8560190
    Abstract: A control device for an automatic transmission including a neutral control unit that executes neutral control for bringing the automatic transmission into a neutral state by reducing an engagement force for an engaged frictional engagement element; a speed ratio specifying unit that specifies an actual speed ratio of the automatic transmission on the basis of a rotating speed of an input shaft and a rotating speed of an output shaft; and a first failure determination unit that determines whether or not a failure is occurring in the automatic transmission on the basis of the actual speed ratio during execution of the neutral control. The first failure determination unit determines that a failure is occurring in the automatic transmission in the case where the actual speed ratio coincides with the speed ratio of any one of a plurality of shift speeds over a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Sugiura, Masaki Nishide
  • Patent number: 8554871
    Abstract: A method and system for exchanging location content data in different data formats is disclosed. A third-party system makes a request to retrieve, add, modify, or delete location content. The request is made in a first data format. A data exchange system receives the request, converts the request to a second data format supported by a location reference system, and sends the request to the location reference system. The location reference system prepares a response to the request and sends the response to the data exchange system. The data exchange system converts the response to the first data format and sends the response to the third-party system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Navteq B.V.
    Inventor: Vojislav Samsalovic
  • Patent number: 8554427
    Abstract: In a control apparatus for a continuously variable transmission, when the difference between a target transmission gear ratio calculated immediately after switching the control mode from a manual shift mode to an automatic shift mode and a current transmission gear ratio (that is, a fixed transmission gear ratio of the transmission gear stage selected in the manual shift mode immediately before the switching) is greater than or equal to a set value, a shift control unit sets a temporary target transmission gear ratio between the target transmission gear ratio and the current transmission gear ratio. If a temporary target transmission gear ratio is set, the shift control unit causes the transmission gear ratio obtained during transition of mode from the manual shift mode to the automatic shift mode to match the target transmission gear ratio stepwise via the temporary target transmission gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinya Yasunaga, Keisuke Ajimoto, Masayuki Nishida, Hiroki Tanaka, Takahito Morishita
  • Patent number: 8554430
    Abstract: A method for anticipating downshifting upon uphill driving on a vehicle including an automatic transmission and including change laws imposing a change to a lower gear based on pre-established downshifting curves. The method imposes a change to the lower gear to the transmission independently from the gear set point established by the change laws when the acceleration that can be reached at the maximum torque on the current gear is lower than an acceleration threshold necessary for maintaining the vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventor: Remi Vandekerkhove
  • Publication number: 20130253786
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicular automatic transmission configured to selectively establish a plurality of shift positions by respective combinations of frictional coupling devices of a plurality of frictional coupling devices in an engaged state thereof, with output hydraulic pressures of respective ones of a plurality of solenoid valves provided in a hydraulic control circuit, includes a fail-safe control portion configured to perform a predetermined fail-safe function when shifting direction values requiring a shifting control of said vehicular automatic transmission and shifting output values respectively generated according to said shifting direction values are not coincident with each other, said shifting output values being represented by respective electric signals for driving said plurality of solenoid valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidenori Saito, Toshio Sugimura
  • Patent number: 8543302
    Abstract: A gear shift control apparatus for an automatic transmission includes: a gear-shift-state-determining unit for determining the presence or absence of a gear-shift-determination of the automatic transmission; a gear-shift-time-estimating unit, when there is the gear-shift-determination, for estimating gear-shift-completion-time since the present gear is shifted to another gear and, after that, further shifted to the present gear; a fuel-consumption-estimating unit for estimating a first fuel consumption in the case where the vehicle drives for the gear-shift-completion-time in the present gear and a second fuel consumption in the case where the present gear is shifted to another gear and, after that, further shifted to the present gear; and a fuel-consumption-determining unit for determining validity of the gear shift on the basis of fuel consumptions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Yoshikawa, Norimi Asahara
  • Publication number: 20130245904
    Abstract: A method of controlling an offgoing clutch in a transmission during a power downshift includes detecting the downshift, reducing a pressure command to the offgoing clutch, and introducing a calibrated error value to a pressure command for the offgoing clutch during the inertia phase. The method also includes synchronizing the speed of the offgoing and an oncoming clutch during the torque phase, determining the offgoing clutch pressure and torque after synchronizing clutch speeds, and then recording a clutch gain as a function of the offgoing clutch pressure and torque. The recorded clutch gains are used to control a subsequent power downshift of the transmission. A controller using proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control logic introduces the error as PID error in a pressure control signal, and controls slip across the offgoing clutch. A transmission is also disclosed having an offgoing clutch and controller configured to execute the above method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Todd J. Thor
  • Patent number: 8538642
    Abstract: A range determination apparatus for preventing a shift range from being undefined during speed change states of an automatic transmission with no manual valve. The range determination apparatus includes a gear speed change mechanism and a plurality of friction engagement elements operative to have respective operation states changed between an engagement and a disengagement state. The range determination apparatus is used for automatic transmissions subject to speed changes via a torque transmission path of the gear speed change mechanism changed by the operation states of the friction engagement elements. A real shift range determination is carried out on the basis of the operation states of the friction engagement elements, where a T-ECU is operative to determine a current shift range based on detection results obtained by oil pressure sensors and operation patterns preliminarily memorized when the operation states of the friction engagement elements are not being changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Itazu, Yoshinobu Nozaki
  • Patent number: 8532891
    Abstract: A system for control of one or more gearshift points, including at least one control unit for controlling a gearbox in a motor vehicle. The engine is connected to, in order to drive, the gearbox, wherein the speed of the engine is controlled by an accelerator pedal which is connected to the engine and gearbox and can assume a plurality of positions. A shift point is controlled by the accelerator pedal and represents an engine speed at which the gearbox effects a downshift or upshift. The system operates in a first mode in which the one or more shift points are controlled on the basis of movements of the accelerator pedal, and also applies a limitation upon the change in the one or more shift points per unit time. Also a method, a motor vehicle, a computer program and a computer program product for the system are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventor: Fredrik Swartling
  • Patent number: 8527166
    Abstract: In a shift control device for a vehicular continuously variable transmission with an arrangement in which a normal shift mode is switched to an acceleration shift mode in response to an acceleration demand, a shift control is performed to prevent deterioration to running performance due to a transition to the acceleration shift mode by increased running resistance such as ascending road running or the like against a driver will. An acceleration demand determining value PAPL is set depending on a road surface gradient ? such that the shifting mode is more difficult to be switched to the acceleration shift mode in a larger road surface gradient ?, than in a smaller road surface gradient ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadashi Tamura, Akira Hino, Masahiro Tawara, Yasunari Matsui