By Changing Shift Map, Schedule, Or Pattern Patents (Class 701/55)
  • Patent number: 8328688
    Abstract: A control system and method for controlling a multiple gear ratio automatic transmission in a powertrain for an automatic transmission having pressure activated friction torque elements to effect gear ratio upshifts. The friction torque elements are synchronously engaged and released during a torque phase of an upshift event as torque from a torque source is increased while allowing the off-going friction elements to slip, followed by an inertia phase during which torque from a torque source is modulated. A perceptible transmission output torque reduction during an upshift is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yuji Fujii, Jahan Asgari, Davorin David Hrovat, Hong Jiang, Gregory Michael Pietron, Bradley Dean Riedle, Christopher John Teslak, Hongtei Eric Tseng
  • Publication number: 20120310498
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic controller which calculates the variable amounts of the thrust in a primary pulley based on the thrusts of the pulleys, the lower limit thrust and the upper limit thrust in the steps of a target change gear ratio limit routine. The electronic controller calculates the limit transmission speeds based on the variable amounts in the steps, and calculates the guard values for limiting the target change gear ratio based on the limit transmission speeds in the steps. An electronic controller limits the target change gear ratio by the guard values thus calculated, and controls the thrusts of the pulleys by feedback control based on the size of discrepancy of the limited target change gear ratio and the current change gear ratio ?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kunio Hattori, Shinya Toyoda, Taira Iraha
  • Patent number: 8326502
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electric vehicle includes computing an electric motor RPM based on a computed Back Electromotive Force (BEMF). Modern electric vehicle designs include intelligent control of the electric motors and transmissions to respond to operator controls and provide efficient operation to extend battery life. An accurate measure of motor RPM is required for such control. Various methods are available for obtaining motor RPM, but most require external sensors susceptible to damage from road debris and the like. The BEMF is proportional to motor speed and independent of motor load. The BEMF may further be computed from the difference between IR loss and motor voltage. The motor RPM is them computed from BEMF using data recorded for the individual motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Mark Snyder
  • Patent number: 8321108
    Abstract: A method of controlling an automobile clutch in an automated transmission system with a CMPC control is disclosed having application to vehicle clutch control in an AMT system. The driver's request is translated in terms of sliding velocity ?sl. Constraints on the engine and clutch actuators are defined to respect their operating limits, and driving quality constraints are defined to guarantee comfort during the clutch engagement phase. In order to meet these quality constraints, a reference trajectory is defined for ?sl as a function of the clutch engagement time. An analytical expression allowing real-time calculation of a set of control trajectories with a CMPC control law is then defined from the expression of this reference trajectory. The trajectory respecting the constraints on the actuators is selected from among all these control trajectories. Finally, the clutch is controlled with the selected control trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: IFP
    Inventors: Paolino Tona, Rachid Amari, Mazen Alamir
  • Patent number: 8321099
    Abstract: When an accelerator pedal opening angle is large, a target vehicle speed is calculated using a read-ahead vehicle speed and, when the accelerator pedal opening angle is small, the target gear shift ratio is calculated using an actual vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Naohiro Yamada, Tsukasa Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8315768
    Abstract: A transmission control module for a vehicle transmission includes a gear determination module, a predictive shift module, and a validation module. The gear determination module commands a first shift configuration based on an actual pedal position. The predictive shift module calculates a predicted pedal position based on the actual pedal position and commands a second shift configuration based on the predicted pedal position. The validation module validates the predicted pedal position and selectively cancels the second shift configuration based on the validation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Inventors: Xuefeng Tim Tao, Bradley J. Lemmen, Scott R. Verna, John E. Marano, James L. Lanzon
  • Patent number: 8311712
    Abstract: A method of operating of a drivetrain, having at least a drive motor and an automatic transmission with at least five shift elements, to improve a shift speed such that during a first upshift or a first downshift, at least one required shift element is prepared such that, when a synchronization point is reached, the successive upshift or the successive downshift can be immediately carried out. The method comprises the steps of requiring, at most, two of the at least five shift elements be disengaged and a remainder of the shift elements be disengaged for each gear for transferring one of torque and force; and one of increasing and decreasing a torque of the drive motor, relative to a torque of the drive motor derived from a driver's wish, during one of the first upshift or downshift and the successive upshift or downshift to assist with an overlapped implementation of the successive upshifts or the successive downshifts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Christian Popp
  • Patent number: 8306682
    Abstract: In a series hybrid vehicle, a system for determining a shift schedule for shifting a multi-gear transmission connected to a drive means is disclosed. A vehicle operator selects among a plurality of shift styles respectively representing a plurality of shift schedules variously optimized for performance or fuel economy. A performance-based shift schedule favors providing maximum power to the road by starting at the first (lowest) gear when accelerating from a stop and utilizing all available gears of the transmission. An economy based shift schedule favors energy efficiency by skipping the first gear and optionally one or more higher-numbered gears in order to bias operation of the drive means toward lower speeds and higher torque output while reducing shift frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Inventor: Charles L. Gray, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120271520
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for setting a shift point for shifting a transmission for a powered vehicle between a first gear ratio and a second gear ratio. The method includes determining input power data points based on real-time input torque data. The input torque data includes a maximum input torque. The method also includes calculating a gear step value based on the first gear ratio and second gear ratio. The method further includes determining a first power value and computing a second power value based on the gear step value. The first power value and second power value are compared to one another and adjustments are incrementally made in the first power value speed until the difference between first and second power values meets a threshold. The shift point is therefore based on the result of comparing the first power value and the second power value and the corresponding speed associated with the first power value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventor: Edmond M. Etchason
  • Patent number: 8296024
    Abstract: The described system and method allow a controller to calibrate a transmission variator of a continuously variable transmission for torque control by obtaining static and dynamic qualities and parameters of the variator through an automated calibration procedure. The system and method employ a pair of transmission mode configurations and operational configurations in combination to obtain system-specific information. In this way, the system is able to calibrate out the system variations to provide effective feed forward torque control of the continuously variable transmission. In an embodiment, a first calibration operation is performed while the transmission is neutralized and a second calibration operation is performed while the transmission is engaged in a mode providing a fixed variator output speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Stoller, Chad Brickner, Brian Lister
  • Publication number: 20120265414
    Abstract: A shift control system working with a power-assisted bicycle that has an assisting-power supplying system and a derailleur. The shift control system includes a microcomputer in which plural shifting condition tables are stored. The assisting-power supplying system provides at least two different assisting modes. The shift control system also includes a shifting driver and at least one sensor for sensing at least one of a wheel speed, a crank speed, a pedaling force and a road gradient so as to generate at least one sensing signal and obtain at least one sensing result. The microcomputer selects one of the shifting condition tables in accordance with the current assisting mode for comparing the sensing result, thereby determining whether upshifting or downshifting is to be conducted. Then the microcomputer controls the shifting driver to send a shift control signal to make the derailleur upshift or downshift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventor: Chi-Chang CHENG
  • Patent number: 8290668
    Abstract: A control apparatus includes a shift-pressure learning correction controlling section configured to perform a shift-pressure learning correction in which a physical quantity representing a progress of shift is measured at a time of a current downshift, and in which an engagement command pressure for a friction element is corrected at a time of a next downshift on the basis of a divergence between the measured physical quantity and a target physical quantity; a shift-torque increase controlling section configured to perform a torque increase control in which a command for temporarily increasing torque of a drive source starts to be outputted when a start estimation timing of torque phase has just come during a transition period given between start and end of the downshift; and a learning convergence judging section configured to judge whether the shift-pressure learning correction has converged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Kazuki Hirasako, Masami Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8290670
    Abstract: A clutch control device includes: a plurality of hydraulic clutches built into a transmission; a clutch switching pattern storage device in which a plurality of clutch switching patterns, each defining engage/release changeover timing with which the plurality of hydraulic clutches are engaged/released are stored in correspondence to individual speed change patterns adopted by the transmission; a clutch switching pattern selection device that selects a clutch switching pattern stored in the clutch switching pattern storage device in correspondence to a speed change pattern for the transmission at a time of speed change; and a hydraulic control device that executes hydraulic control for the plurality of hydraulic clutches in correspondence to the clutch switching pattern selected by the clutch switching pattern selection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuji Tanaka, Masami Higaki, Hideo Nakayama, Eiichi Sakai, Hidenobu Tsukada
  • Patent number: 8285462
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission is operative to transfer torque between an input member and torque machines and an output member in one of a plurality of fixed gear and continuously variable operating range states through selective application of torque transfer clutches. The torque machines are operative to transfer power from an energy storage device. A method for controlling the hybrid transmission includes operating the hybrid transmission in one of the operating range states, determining a first set of internal system constraints on output torque transferred to the output member, determining a second set of internal system constraints on the output torque transferred to the output member, and determining an allowable output torque range that is achievable within the first set of internal system constraints and the second set of internal system constraints on the output torque transferred to the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Tung-Ming Hsieh, Bin Wu
  • Publication number: 20120253618
    Abstract: An automatic shift apparatus including a transmission; a vehicle speed acquisition unit; a gear speed acquisition unit that acquires a gear speed of the transmission; a unit that sets, based on a vehicle speed, a minimum allowable gear speed at which a rotation speed of an input shaft of the transmission is equal to or lower than a predetermined rotation speed and which has a highest gear ratio among a plurality of gear speeds; and a unit that determines that the gear speed is abnormal if the gear speed has a higher gear ratio than the minimum allowable gear speed due to a change in the gear speed, and not determining that the gear speed is abnormal if the gear speed has a higher gear ratio than the minimum allowable gear speed due to a change in the minimum allowable gear speed that is set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryo TAKADA, Shoji FUSHIMI, Tsunekazu INAKURA, Masatoshi TAGUCHI
  • Patent number: 8280599
    Abstract: A vehicle control device where, the transmission apparatus is provided with a state in which the rotational driving force is not transmitted from the output member to the input member when a first engaging element is engaged; the vehicle control device is provided with a control unit that controls the transmission apparatus to engage the first engaging element by a hydraulic pressure from the electric pump for implementing the state in an idle stop state in which the vehicle is in a moving state and the engine is stopped; in a case where a travel speed of the vehicle is not greater than a predetermined release threshold value, the first engaging element is engaged by the hydraulic pressure from the electric pump; and in a case where the travel speed of the vehicle is greater than the predetermined release threshold value, all of the engaging elements are released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiko Suzuki, Kyosuke Komizo, Takahiro Sekii, Yasuhiko Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20120245811
    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: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher G. Benson, Steven Mark Bezdek, Martha A. Crisler, Matthew R. Malik, Timothy P. Philippart, Stonewall J. Craig
  • Patent number: 8271190
    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: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Dash Navigation Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Smartt
  • Publication number: 20120232764
    Abstract: In a control apparatus for an automatic transmission, it is configured to calculate a change amount (?NC estimation value) of an output rotational speed of the transmission (S10); calculate an average (I phase initial average G) of the change amount of the output rotational speed over a predetermined period of an initial inertia (I) phase of shifting; calculate an average (after-shift average G) of a vehicle acceleration after the completion of the shifting, assuming that the change amount of the output rotational speed indicates the vehicle acceleration G; calculate a difference (I phase initial G) between the average of the change amount of the output rotational speed and the average of the vehicle acceleration; incrementally and decrementally correct the desired value of the transmission torque of the frictional engaging element such that the calculated difference falls within a predetermined range; and control supply of hydraulic pressure to the frictional engaging element such that it becomes the correct
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Inagawa, Shintaro Kameda, Atsuhiro Saeki, Takahiro Matsuda, Hidekazu Araki, Hiroyuki Okuda, Yuji Yasui
  • Patent number: 8255129
    Abstract: An improved downshift control for an automatic transmission optimized for sequential shifting achieves a non-sequential fifth gear to third gear downshift by reducing the main pressure of the transmission hydraulic control system, allowing a offgoing clutch to slip, disengaging the offgoing clutch, using torque reduction to control engine speed, engaging the oncoming clutch, increasing the main pressure of the transmission hydraulic control system and using torque reduction to synchronize the transmission input speed with the third gear transmission output speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Andrew L. Mitchell, Jeffrey K. Runde, Brett R. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 8255142
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling combustion stability in an engine driving a transmission. One example method comprises limiting airflow to the engine in response to a spark timing retarded beyond a spark retard threshold, the limiting airflow to the engine reducing engine torque output and compensating for the reduction in engine torque output by adjusting a transmission operating parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Michael Howard Shelby, Tobias John Pallett
  • Patent number: 8255130
    Abstract: A closed loop shift control apparatus and method based on friction element load controls a torque transfer phase when shifting from a low gear configuration to a high gear configuration for an automatic transmission system. When pressure actuated friction elements are selectively engaged and released to establish torque flow paths in the transmission, measurements or estimates of torsional load exerted on the off-going friction element are used to predict the optimal off-going friction element release timing for achieving a consistent shift feel. The ideal timing to release the off-going friction element is uniquely defined when torque load exerted onto the off-going friction element becomes substantially zero. An on-coming clutch engagement process is controlled by a closed loop control based on measurements or estimates of on-coming clutch torque capacity for a constant shift feel under dynamically changing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yuji Fujii, Gregory Michael Pietron, Seung-Hoon Lee, James William Loch McCallum, Mohamed Redissi, David Popejoy, John Butwin, Robert Orley Burkhart, Diana Yanakiev
  • Patent number: 8255131
    Abstract: The method monitors a gear-change operation in a motor vehicle provided with an engine whose crankshaft is connected to a transmission having a gearbox) comprising first and second primary shafts connectable to the crankshaft of the engine by respective friction clutches controlled by corresponding actuators, and a secondary or output shaft connectable to the primary shafts by gears defining a plurality of velocity ratios or gears. The method comprises the operation of verifying and validating the detection of the disengagement of the previously engaged gear by detecting the angular velocity of the primary shaft corresponding to the gear to be disengaged, and comparing the detected value of said angular velocity with at least one reference angular velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Attilio Porta, Giancarlo Osella, Gian Luigi Pregnolato, Marco Montu′, Emanuel Corigliano
  • Patent number: 8249782
    Abstract: A method for electronically controlling a bicycle gearshift and a bicycle electronic system perform gearshifting. To perform this gearshifting, a displacement of an actuator from a current position (P) to a position (P1, PN) of engagement of a chain on an extreme toothed wheel of a gearshift group is started (203,205), a destination toothed wheel (PT) of the gearshift group is subsequently preselected (208), and the displacement is subsequently stopped (210) when the actuator is in a position (PT) of engagement of the chain on the destination toothed wheel (PT) of the gearshift group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Federico Miglioranza
  • Patent number: 8249785
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicular automatic transmission which has a plurality of coupling elements selectively released and engaged to perform shifting actions, the control apparatus including a shift control portion configured to control at least one specially controlled coupling element which is included in the coupling elements provided to perform the shifting actions of the automatic transmission and which is placed in a fully released state prior and subsequent to the shifting action performed according to a presently generated shifting command, the shift control portion controlling each specially controlled coupling element so as to enable the specially controlled coupling element to have a torque capacity during the shifting action performed according to the presently generated shifting command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takaaki Tokura, Hideaki Otsubo
  • Patent number: 8249786
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an automatic transmission includes a shift control section configured to perform a shift of the automatic transmission; and a judder judging section. The shift control section is configured to judge whether or not a progress of the shift is during an inertia phase. The judder judging section calculates a characteristic-gradient index value which is a value obtained by quantifying a phenomenon that appears as a relative rotational speed between input and output of the first friction-engagement element becomes reduced with a progress of the inertia phase. The phenomenon appears in a different way in dependence upon whether a relational characteristic of a friction coefficient of the first friction-engagement element with respect to the relative rotational speed is a positive-gradient characteristic or a negative-gradient characteristic. The judder judging section determines that the judder has occurred based on the characteristic-gradient index value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Jun Yoshino, Masaya Kubota
  • Patent number: 8249783
    Abstract: A vehicle automatic transmission includes a plurality of gears provided on an input shaft, a countershaft, and an output shaft and are meshed with one another. A plurality of hydraulic clutches are each configured to couple any of the gears to the input shaft, the countershaft, or the output shaft to establish a predetermined shift stage. An engagement unit is configured to couple a reverse gear to the input shaft or the countershaft to establish a reverse shift stage. A shift-position detection unit is configured to detect a shift position. A vehicle-speed detection unit is configured to detect a vehicle speed. A control unit is configured to detect, based on an output of the shift-position detection unit, a first time and a second time. The control unit is configured to delay a timing when the engagement unit operates after the shift position changes to an R-position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Ishikawa, Joko Karasawa, Makoto Kobayashi, Yuji Koga
  • Publication number: 20120209482
    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: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicants: Eaton Corporation, PACCAR Inc., Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Busdiecker, Vivek A. Sujan
  • Patent number: 8229633
    Abstract: An engine is selectively operative in one of a plurality of engine states to transfer torque to an input member of a hybrid transmission. The hybrid transmission is operative to transfer torque between the input member and a torque machine and an output member to generate an output torque in response to an operator torque request. A method for controlling the engine includes monitoring the operator torque request, determining operating power costs associated with a plurality of candidate engine states in response to the operator torque request, determining transition costs for transitioning the engine from a present engine state to each of the candidate engine states, determining stabilization costs for operating the engine in the present engine state and subsequently operating the engine in each of the candidate engine states, and selecting a preferred engine state based upon the operating power costs, the transition costs, and the stabilization costs for the plurality of engine states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Wilfried Brunssen, Scott J Thompson
  • Patent number: 8224535
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicular power transmitting apparatus includes, in series, i) a differential portion which is provided with a differential mechanism having a differential function with respect to an input shaft and an output shaft, in which the differential mechanism is switched between a differential state and a non-differential state, and ii) a stepped shifting portion that shifts between a plurality of gears in a stepped manner. During a shift with a switch between the differential state and the non-differential state in the differential portion, the control apparatus either maintains the gear at that time or shifts into a gear that is adjacent to that gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Tooru Matsubara, Hiroyuki Shibata, Kenta Kumazaki
  • Patent number: 8224538
    Abstract: An automatic transmission includes gears, torque-transmitting mechanisms, interconnecting members, an input member and an output member. A method of controlling the automatic transmission includes data acquisition from the output shaft torque sensor, commanding a hydraulic fluid pressure pulse time and a pressure pulse value to engage a first torque-transmitting mechanism, calculating a rate-of-change of a first data output from the output shaft torque sensor, calculating a rate-of-change of a second data output from the output shaft torque sensor, comparing the results of the rate-of-change calculations and adjusting the hydraulic fluid pressure pulse time and a pressure pulse value if the rate of change of the second data output is not equal to the rate-of-change of the first data output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Zhen Zhang, Shushan Bai, John R. Maten
  • Patent number: 8219290
    Abstract: When a gear change has been decided, the coil resistance value of a motor which manipulates the transmission is measured. The coil temperature of the motor is estimated from the measured coil resistance value of the motor. In a case where the estimated coil temperature of the motor has been decided to be a predetermined temperature or above, the speed change inhibition time period of the transmission is calculated, and the speed change of the transmission is inhibited during the calculated speed change inhibition time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yasufumi Ogawa, Shiro Yonezawa, Takeru Okabe, Osamu Ishikawa, Tomohisa Shoda, Nozomu Kamioka, Masaki Horii
  • Patent number: 8219291
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes signaling a transmission to shift into a first gear ratio and sensing a current gear ratio of the transmission after signaling the transmission to shift into the first gear ratio. The method further includes implementing a diagnostic transmission shift control strategy to override a normal transmission shift control strategy when the current sensed gear ratio is not equal to the requested first gear ratio to verify proper functionality of a mode control valve that is responsible for shifting the transmission into the first gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Emmanuel V. Yabes, Brian J. Pellerito, Michael Chernyak, Craig J. Hawkins, Cheol W. Kim
  • Patent number: 8214116
    Abstract: A method reduces a time delay or lag between a commanded upshift and a resultant upshift event in vehicle. The method detects the commanded upshift, calculates a scheduled engine torque reduction torque value as a function of an unmanaged torque, and reduces an input torque value from the engine using the calculated scheduled torque. A powertain includes an engine, a transmission, a torque converter, clutches that are selectively engageable to provide at least six forward speed ratios, a reverse speed ratio, and a neutral condition, and a controller. The controller has an algorithm controlling an operation of an off-going clutch and the on-coming clutch during a speed ratio change representing an upshift event. The algorithm calculates a scheduled torque value as a percentage of an unmanaged torque level of the engine, and controls the off-going and on-coming clutch through the speed ratio change using the calculated scheduled torque value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Matthew D. Whitton
  • Publication number: 20120166054
    Abstract: A method, a system, a computer program and a computer program product for determining one or more shift points for a gearbox in a motor vehicle which comprises an engine connected to, in order to drive the gearbox. A shift point is defined by an engine speed at which the gearbox effects a downshift or upshift. The method uses one or more shift points determined on the basis of a change in road gradient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Fredrik Swartling, Mikael Wågberg, Mikael Öun
  • Patent number: 8209098
    Abstract: A method to monitor integrity of a signal output from an operator-manipulable transmission range selector for a powertrain system includes equipping the transmission range selector with a range encoder and a direction encoder, determining a range state and a direction state based upon signals from the range encoder and the direction encoder, determining a discrete position of the transmission range selector based upon the range state and the direction state, and performing back rationality to verify the discrete position of the transmission range selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hanne Buur, Richard E. Robinette, Peter E. Wu
  • Publication number: 20120158262
    Abstract: A vehicle shift control apparatus has a plurality of driving force modes in which an engine generates driving force in response to an accelerator operation, a shift control unit for controlling a transmission gear stage or a transmission ratio of an automatic transmission according to a preset shift characteristic, The apparatus sets a different shift characteristic for each of the modes upon shifting from a current transmission gear stage or transmission ratio to a target transmission gear stage or transmission ratio by means of the shift control unit, and performs a gear shift according to a currently selected shift characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masayuki NISHIDA, Hiroki Tanaka, Takahito Morishita, Keisuke Ajimoto, Shinya Yasunaga
  • Publication number: 20120158263
    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: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Fredrik Swartling, Peter Asplund, Mikael Öun
  • Patent number: 8204659
    Abstract: An engine start control system for starting the engine of a hybrid vehicle operated in an EV drive mode. The system responds quickly to an acceleration request while limiting unpleasant deceleration sensations. The hybrid vehicle has a first clutch disposed between the engine and motor/generator. An electric drive mode exists in which the first clutch is disengaged and the driving torque is provided only by the motor/generator, and a hybrid drive mode exists in which the first clutch is engaged and the driving torque is provided by both the engine and motor/generator. The system uses an engine start shift pattern that is high-geared as compared with a normal shift pattern. Shift control of the transmission is performed using the engine start shift pattern when an engine start request arises. The engine is started by controlling the engagement of the first clutch after performing the shift control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Kouno, Tomoyuki Kodawara
  • Publication number: 20120150400
    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: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Fredrik Swartling
  • Patent number: 8200402
    Abstract: A method for shifting gears of an automatic transmission of a vehicle, by way of primarily form-locking shifting elements, while driving with or without utilization of a clutch depending on a decision made by a decision device which, in the presence of certain basic conditions, causes disengagement of a starting gear without disengaging the clutch, and subsequently reads in data about the size and the progression of a quantity correlating closely with the rotational speed of an output shaft of the automatic transmission and, with inclusion of this data, determines the shifting mode for engagement of the target gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Bernd Doebele, Norbert Wiencek
  • Patent number: 8200403
    Abstract: A method for controlling an input torque provided to a transmission includes executing a first iterative search within a first range of permissible torque values to determine a first torque value based on a first cost value. The first cost value is based on a first set of powertrain measurements measured at a first time. A second cost value based on a second torque value and the first set of powertrain measurements measured at the first time is calculated. The second torque value is determined using a second set of powertrain measurements measured at a second time prior to the first time. One of the first torque value and the second torque value is then selected based on the first cost value and the second cost value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Wilfried Brunssen, Bin Wu, Brian R Medema
  • Patent number: 8190340
    Abstract: In a shift control device for an automatic transmission according to this invention, when the engine load increases such that a shift to a first gear position on a low speed side of a current gear position is required, control is performed to calculate an estimated vehicle speed following the elapse of a time required to shift to the first gear position and set a second gear position from the estimated vehicle speed and the engine load on the basis of the shift map. When the first gear position is on the low speed side of the second gear position, a shift is performed to a gear position on a high speed side of the first gear position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventor: Naohiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 8190339
    Abstract: A shift controller controls a downshift to a low shift speed, spaced apart from a high shift speed by two or more steps, through an intermediate shift speed, by first releasing first and second shift release elements, then engaging a first shift engagement element, and finally engaging a second shift engagement element, while controlling the torque capacity of the second shift release element by feedback control. As a result of releasing the first and second shift release elements before engaging the first shift engagement element, it is possible to rev up an input rotation at maximum performance of an engine to reduce the time for shifting. As a result of the feedback control of the torque capacity of the second shift release element after engaging the first shift engagement element, a torque fluctuation at the intermediate shift speed can be reduced to avoid occurrence of an uncomfortable shift shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruki Sato, Nobuhiro Iwai, Shoichiro Araki, Hiroshi Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 8185282
    Abstract: A method for the operation of a drivetrain comprising an automatic transmission, a motor and at least five shift elements in which two shift elements are engaged and three shift elements are disengaged. When carrying out an upshift or downshift, a first shift element is either disengaged or engaged, and a second shift element is engaged or disengaged. While the first upshift or downshift is being carried out, a second shift element is prepared for disengaging or engaging and a third shift element is prepared for engaging or disengaging. Actuation of the second shift element occurs by virtue of a minimum selection of a first alternative or a maximum selection a second alternative. While the first upshift or downshift is being carried out and while the second upshift or downshift is being carried out, at least one fourth shift element is kept engaged or nearly engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Christian Popp
  • Patent number: 8180535
    Abstract: The inventive method for controlling the gear change of an automatic gearbox provided with distinct shifting rules or variograms used according to a vehicle operating conditions consists in detecting and carrying out gear shifting requests sequential to the shifting rule or variogram switching, subject to the application of specific conditions only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Christian Taffin, Carine Poisson
  • Patent number: 8180536
    Abstract: During control of a shift of a first friction engagement element from an engaged state into a disengaged state and a shift of a second friction engagement element from a disengaged state into an engaged state for a gear shift to a first target gear from a second target gear, a desired torque capacity of the first friction engagement element is set based on an actual transmission gear ratio by interpolation from values of the desired torque capacity corresponding to at least first and second reference transmission gear ratios, wherein the first reference transmission gear ratio is a transmission gear ratio at start of an inertia phase of the shift control. When the first reference transmission gear ratio is between the actual transmission gear ratio and the second reference transmission gear ratio, the desired torque capacity is set to the value corresponding to the first reference transmission gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Masami Suzuki, Goh Endo
  • Patent number: 8167774
    Abstract: A process for controlling a twin clutch transmission with two partial drive trains with respectively a friction clutch interposed between an internal combustion engine and the partial drive train is provided. If the transmission capacity of a friction clutch falls below the engine torque, engine intervention takes place. If the clutch temperature rises further above a default value, an emergency operation is initiated, in which the affected partial drive train is deactivated by opening the affected friction clutch, a preselection strategy used in the other partial drive train is changed and the other partial drive train is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerd Jaeggle, Juergen Eich
  • Patent number: 8165738
    Abstract: An industrial vehicle having a hybrid system controls a distribution of power generated by an engine and power generated by an electric motor. The vehicle includes an engine for supplying power to one of a running unit and a loading-and-unloading unit; a first motor for supplying power to one of the running unit and the loading-and-unloading unit; a second motor for supplying power to the running unit; a required-power calculating unit for calculating running power, and loading-and-unloading power; a clutch unit for controlling the power transmitted from the engine to the running unit; and a power-distribution calculating unit for selecting a destination to be supplied with power from the engine and the first motor based on the control status of the clutch unit, and for calculating a distribution of power which the engine, the first motor, and the second motor supply based on the calculating running power and loading-and-unloading power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Akaki, Kensuke Futahashi, Takaharu Hiroe, Kiyomitsu Ogawa, Yoshimi Okazaki
  • Patent number: RE43857
    Abstract: An automatic shift control is executed in an automatic transmission with 5 shift speeds of range hold type in the highest gear stage of a shift range at the manual shift mode. Upon selection of a shift mode from the automatic shift mode to the manual shift mode, the shift range at the manual shift mode is selected in accordance with the vehicle speed detected at the automatic shift mode. If the vehicle speed is in the low-speed range, the shift range 3 is selected. If the vehicle speed is in the medium-speed range, the shift range 4 is selected. If the vehicle speed is in the high-speed range, the shift range 5 is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Matsunaga, Yoshiharu Harada