Feedback Control (e.g., Closed Loop) Patents (Class 701/60)
  • Patent number: 8935066
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a torque converter, a transmission, and a controller. The transmission has an input member connected to a turbine of the torque converter. The transmission includes a neutral idle (NI) state and a designated NI clutch actuated to enter the NI state. The controller calculates a reference slip error as a function of engine speed and turbine speed, detects when the designated NI clutch is exhausting while operating in the NI state as a function of the reference slip error, and executes a control action when the exhausting NI clutch is detected. A method includes measuring engine and turbine speed, calculating the reference slip error value as a function of the engine and turbine speeds, detecting when the designated NI clutch is exhausting while operating in the NI state using the reference slip error, and executing a control action when the exhausting NI clutch is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ronald F. Lochocki, Jr., Sindu Sebastian, Min K. Kim
  • Publication number: 20150012192
    Abstract: A system and method of selecting optimum gear of automobile is provided. The system includes a data processor; a running vehicle data collection module; an output module; and a memory. The memory is stored with universal characteristic curve of an engine, gear ratios of a gearbox, speed reduction ratios, and a tire radius. The running vehicle data collection module collects and sends a current vehicle speed, revolutions of the engine, and an output torque of the engine to the data processor. The data processor processes the universal characteristic curve of the engine, the gear ratios of the gearbox, the speed reduction ratios, and the tire radius to determine a current gear and an optimum gear. The data processor outputs the optimum gear to the output module if the current gear is not the optimum gear. The system can select optimum gear in real time and lower fuel consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Yifan Xu, Xiaobing Chen, Weihong Ye, Fangming Zhou, Qiangsheng Liu
  • Publication number: 20150012193
    Abstract: A transmission includes sensors positioned adjacent respective pairs of magnetized bands on a shaft of the transmission for detecting magnetic flux emanating from the bands in response to torque on the shaft. The transmission further includes an electronics interface assembly configured to respectively provide drive signals to the sensors and to receive from the sensors, in response to the drive signals, output signals indicative of the torque on the shaft as detected by the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, Nimrod Kapas, Joseph F. Kucharski, Steven Adam Hermann, Christopher Gregory Garbacz, Yuji Fujii, Diana Yanakiev, Roberto Teran, JR.
  • Patent number: 8924106
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle includes an automatic transmission configured to attain a predetermined shift-stage by releasing an engaged friction-engagement element and by engaging a released friction-engagement element; a variation-start detecting section configured to detect that a parameter which varies with a progress of inertia phase has varied; a memorizing section configured to sequentially memorize a state of the vehicle; and a learning section configured to correct a control quantity for a next-time shift of the transmission on the basis of the state of vehicle memorized at a timing earlier by a given time interval than a timing when the variation-start detecting section detects that the parameter has varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignees: JATCO Ltd, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukiyoshi Inuta, Aki Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 8924110
    Abstract: When a rotational speed of a secondary pulley is less than a first reference value, the disclosed electronic control device implements lower limit hydraulic control to adjust the hydraulic pressure of a primary pulley to be at a lower limit hydraulic pressure. When the rotational speed is equal to or exceeds the first reference value, but is less than a second reference value, the electronic control device implements balanced hydraulic control to adjust the hydraulic pressure to be more than the lower limit hydraulic pressure. When the rotational speed is equal to or exceeds the second reference value, the electronic control device implements feedback control to correct the hydraulic pressure on the basis of the size of the difference between a target transmission gear ratio and a transmission gear ratio, calculated on the basis of rotational speeds detected by each rotational speed sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taira Iraha, Kunio Hattori
  • Patent number: 8924111
    Abstract: The invention concerns an electronic controller for a continuously variable transmission of the type having a variator (10) with a rotary variator input (17) coupled to a first variator race (14a) and a rotary variator output (29) coupled to a second variator race (16a). At least one roller (20) runs upon the said races to transfer drive from one to the other. The roller is movable to steplessly vary the variator ratio. The variator further comprises at least one hydraulic actuator (36), (38) which acts upon the roller and through which net torque acting on the variator races is referred via the roller to the variator's casing. A hydraulic arrangement is provided for applying to the actuator at least one hydraulic control pressure which determines force applied’ by the actuator and thus determines the reaction torque. The variator is coupled between a rotary transmission input (17) and a rotary transmission output (714) such that the transmission ratio is a function of the variator ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Torotrak (Development) Limited
    Inventor: John William Edward Fuller
  • Patent number: 8924109
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes detecting vibration in a drivetrain of the vehicle with a fore/aft accelerometer during a launch event. An operating regime of the vehicle is identified concurrently with the detected vibration when the detected vibration is outside a predefined allowable range. A control strategy of the drivetrain is adjusted to define a revised control strategy to avoid the identified operating regime. The revised control strategy is applied to control the drivetrain to mitigate vibration in the drivetrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ronald F. Lochocki, Jr., Kenneth K. Lang
  • Patent number: 8918258
    Abstract: System and method for controlling a transmission in response to transient torque events are disclosed. The method includes commanding a maximum transmission output torque; comparing the commanded output torque to a feedback torque to determine if they are equal; and incrementally increasing the transmission output torque until equal. A machine and a powertrain include a controller configured to command a maximum negative transmission output torque in response to a transient torque event, and incrementally increase the transmission output torque until such time as the transmission output torque is equal to or within a preset range of the feedback torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Hoff, Michael Barngrover, Mark E. Rettig
  • Patent number: 8914209
    Abstract: An automatic shift apparatus including a rotation shaft, a dog clutch gear shift mechanism, and a control unit. The control unit supplies a predetermined electric current to a shaft moving apparatus to move a sleeve in an engaged state engaged with one of a first clutch ring and a second clutch ring and supplies a braking electric current smaller than the predetermined electric current to the shaft moving apparatus to exert a braking force on the sleeve, the braking force directed in the opposite direction relative to a direction of movement of the sleeve, before a spline of the sleeve disengages from a first dog clutch portion or a second dog clutch portion of the mentioned one of the first clutch ring and the second clutch ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kyosuke Mori, Yuuki Ohta, Masahiko Komura, Toshiyuki Morio, Shotaro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8914186
    Abstract: A method of controlling thermal loading in a multi-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) that is paired with an internal combustion engine in a vehicle is provided. The method includes detecting operation of the vehicle and ascertaining a degree of thermal loading on the DCT. The method also includes selecting a remedial action corresponding to the ascertained degree of thermal loading. Additionally, the method includes activating the selected remedial action such that the thermal loading on the DCT is reduced. A vehicle having a DCT, an internal combustion engine, and a controller configured to control thermal loading in the DCT is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Xuefeng Tim Tao, John William Boughner, Alfonso G. Hysko, Jonathan P. Kish, Matthew D. Whitton, Fei An, Steven P. Moorman
  • Publication number: 20140365093
    Abstract: A control device configured to control a vehicle. When the required driving force is equal to or less than a control judgment value, the shift control section judges that an implementing condition of engagement limited downshift control is met, starts transition control to cause the release-side engagement device to transition to a non-direct-coupled engagement state and, after the release-side engagement device transitions to a non-direct-coupled engagement state, starts increasing rotation speed control to control rotation speed of the input member to be higher than synchronized rotation speed, starts differential rotation speed control to control the rotation speed to be higher than the synchronized rotation speed, and prohibits engagement of the engagement-side engagement device until it becomes higher than the synchronized rotation speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Kohei Tsuda, Tomohiro Onouchi
  • Patent number: 8909441
    Abstract: A driving power source rotational speed control device is provided in a vehicle outputs power of a rotary driving power source via a continuously variable transmission as motive power, that changes the rotational speed of the rotary driving power source in association with changes in the vehicle speed when acceleration is requested. The control device includes: acceleration/deceleration state determination means determines whether the vehicle is accelerating or decelerating when acceleration is requested; and rotary driving power source rotational speed change setting means sets the change gradient of the rotary driving power source rotational speed to establish the association of the rotary driving power source rotational speed with changes in the vehicle speed when acceleration is requested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroya Fujiwara, Akira Hino
  • Patent number: 8904893
    Abstract: A method of controlling a hydraulic control system for a dual clutch transmission includes controlling a plurality of pressure and flow control devices in fluid communication with a plurality of clutch actuators and with a plurality of synchronizer actuators. The clutch actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of torque transmitting devices and the synchronizer actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of synchronizer assemblies. Selective activation of combinations of the pressure control solenoids and the flow control solenoids allows for a pressurized fluid to activate at least one of the clutch actuators and synchronizer actuators in order to shift the transmission into a desired gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Steven P. Moorman, Philip C. Lundberg, John R. Czoykowski, Bret M. Olson, Chinar S. Ghike, James D. Hendrickson, Christopher Jay Weingartz
  • Publication number: 20140358390
    Abstract: An automatic transmission for a vehicle drivetrain includes a transmission housing, an input shaft, an output shaft, and a plurality of gears within the transmission housing. The plurality of gears defines multiple mechanical gear ratios between the input shaft and the output shaft. The transmission further includes a plurality of clutches operable to selectively engage the multiple mechanical gear ratios, and a plurality of rotational speed sensors. Each rotational speed sensor is operable to measure rotational speeds relative to the transmission housing for of one of the input shaft, the output shaft, or one of the plurality of gears. The transmission further includes a transmission control system configured to receive signals representing the measured rotational speeds from the plurality of rotational speed sensors and control the plurality of clutches to change between gear ratios based at least in part on the signals representing the measured rotational speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Joseph Funyak, Edward Lezon, Michael D. Hausmann, Martin D. Graefling
  • Patent number: 8903615
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (4) comprises an endless torque transmission member (13) looped around a pair of pulleys (11, 12). At least one of the pulleys changes a winding radius of the endless torque transmission member (13) in accordance with an applied pulley thrust. A controller (22) estimates a stretch amount of the endless torque transmission member (13) based on an operating state of the continuously variable transmission (4), sets a slip limit thrust based on the stretch amount, and controls the pulley thrusts based on the slip limit thrust. In this manner, appropriate pulley thrust control in accordance with whether or not the endless torque transmission member (13) stretches is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keita Okudaira, Masato Koga
  • Publication number: 20140343811
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a transmission system is provided. One agricultural vehicle includes a vehicle controller configured to instruct an engine controller to maintain an engine at a constant speed and to receive a first signal from a transmission controller indicative of gear shift initiation. The vehicle controller is also configured to instruct the engine controller to maintain the engine at a current torque upon receipt of the first signal and to receive a second signal from the transmission controller indicative of gear shift completion. The vehicle controller is configured to instruct the engine controller to maintain the engine at the constant speed upon receipt of the second signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Justin Ringwald, Rex LeRoy Ruppert
  • Publication number: 20140343810
    Abstract: A first determining unit configured to determine whether the indicated pressure of a primary pulley pressure has become a line pressure during an up shift, an indicated pressure control unit configured to make the indicated pressure of the primary pulley pressure alone higher than the line pressure when the target shift rate is determined to be equal to or lower than a predetermined shift rate and the speed ratio is determined not to have become the target speed ratio, and an estimated time detecting unit configured to detect a predetermined time it takes until the primary pulley pressure can be regarded as being equal to the line pressure after the target shift rate is determined to be equal to or lower than the predetermined shift rate, and the indicated pressure of the primary pulley pressure is made higher than the line pressure, are provided, and the indicated pressure control unit is configured to calculate the deviation between the indicated pressure of the primary pulley pressure and indicated pressur
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Hideaki Suzuki, Yoshio Yasui, Yuuji Nagase, Fumito Shinohara
  • Publication number: 20140336890
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of selecting a gear ratio of a transmission. The method includes measuring a current road grade with a sensing device and communicating the current road grade measurement to the controller. The controller receives a signal corresponding to a service brake input and determines a desired maximum acceleration limit of the vehicle. The method also includes calculating a predicted vehicle acceleration, measuring a current vehicle acceleration, and calculating an error value as a function of the predicted vehicle acceleration and measured vehicle acceleration. The method also computes an estimated required tractive braking effort and estimated tractive braking effort for at least one of N automatically selectable gear ratios of the transmission and selects one gear ratio of the N automatically selectable gear ratios for the operation of the transmission based on a comparison of the estimated required tractive braking effort and estimated tractive braking effort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: John Kresse, John A. Byerly, Todd Dygert, Mark A. Rains
  • Patent number: 8880304
    Abstract: A method for determining numbers of gear steps N for a gearbox in a motor vehicle. The vehicle has an engine connected to drive the gearbox. The numbers of gear steps N is the number of downshifts or the number of upshifts which the gearbox effects at an upshift point or a downshift point. A downshift point represents a first engine speed at which the gearbox effects a downshift. An upshift point represents a second engine speed at which the gearbox effects an upshift. The numbers of gear steps N are determined on the basis of a predicted acceleration a for the motor vehicle during a time period T. The invention relates also to a system, a motor vehicle, a computer program and a computer program product thereof for performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Swartling, Anders Kjell, Tom Nyström
  • Patent number: 8874336
    Abstract: Featured is are methods and systems for bedding-in an automatic transmission of a vehicle prior to delivery of the vehicle to an end customer. Such a bedding-in method is performed so as to reduce the occurrence of shifting problems or concerns occurring during the initial stages of ownership of the vehicle. More particularly, such a bedding-in method includes providing an automatic transmission having a controller that is configured to measure and learn about powertrain variation(s) and configured to adapt one or more operational parameters associated with shifting of the automatic transmission. Such a method also includes operating the vehicle according to a predetermined protocol before the vehicle reaches an end customer. Such a protocol being established so the transmission controller can learn about powertrain variations and adapt operation of the transmission to minimize effects on shifting of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc., Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Raymond J. Tessier, Jr., Anthony Golletti, Thomas Kieffer
  • Patent number: 8868274
    Abstract: Providing a control apparatus for a vehicular drive system, which is configured to implement a torque reduction control during a shifting action of an automatic transmission, and which permits reduction of the size and cost of an electric circuit including a smoothing capacitor. An electricity-generation-amount-variation restricting region A01 is predetermined such that a point of a vehicle running state lies in the electricity-generation-amount-variation restricting region A01 prior to a moment of determination to perform a shifting action of the automatic transmission, and electricity-generation-amount-variation restricting means 96 implements an electricity-generation-amount-variation restricting control to restrict a rate of increase of a total amount of an electric energy generated by first and second electric motors MG1 and MG2, to a predetermined upper limit value LTGN, when the point of the vehicle running state has moved into the electricity-generation-amount-variation restricting region A01.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Shiiba, Takeshi Kanayama, Talyo Uejima, Daiki Sato
  • Patent number: 8862248
    Abstract: A control apparatus capable of improving the control accuracy and stability when controlling a controlled object with a predetermined restraint condition between a plurality of model parameters, or a controlled object having a lag characteristic, using a control target model of a discrete-time system. The control apparatus has an ECU which arranges a control target model including two model parameters such that terms not multiplied by the model parameters and terms multiplied by the same are on different sides of the model, respectively. Assuming the different sides represent a combined signal value and an estimated combined signal value, respectively, the ECU calculates onboard identified values of the model parameters such that an identification error between the signal values is minimized, and calculates an air-fuel ratio correction coefficient using the identified values and a control algorithm derived from the control target model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuji Yasui
  • Publication number: 20140303859
    Abstract: An electric shift operating device is basically provided with a base member, a first operating member, a clicking mechanism, a signal generating arrangement and a controller. The base member is configured to be attached to a bicycle. The first operating member is movably supported on the base member from a rest position to an operated position. The clicking mechanism is operated by the first operating member to produce a haptic feedback response upon the first operating member reaching the first operated position. The signal generating arrangement generates a first shift start signal prior to or upon the first operating member reaching the first operated position. The controller controls a gear position of the electric gear changing device. The controller receives the first shift start signal and operates the electric gear changing device towards a target gear position upon receiving the first shift start signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu MIKI, Satoshi SHAHANA
  • Publication number: 20140303860
    Abstract: An automatic transmission includes an input member, a planetary gear set, a plurality of engagement mechanisms, an output member, a shift position detecting unit, an input rotational speed detecting unit, a control unit, and a switching mechanism. When a shift position is changed from a forward drive range to a reverse drive range, the control unit performs a reverse preparation mode in which a rotational speed of an element to be fixed by the switching mechanism is lower than or equal to a predetermined speed by setting an engagement mechanism in one of a connection mode and a fixed mode. Upon performing the reverse preparation mode, the control unit engages the engagement mechanism that connects the element fixed by the switching mechanism to the input member and, thereafter, engages the engagement mechanism that makes the rotational speed of the input member lower than or equal to the predetermined speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuya TACHIBANADA, Yutaka ISHIKAWA, Soichi SUGINO, Naomichi TONOKURA, Nobuyuki WATANABE, Takashi OHTANI, Mitsuo UEDA
  • Publication number: 20140297143
    Abstract: Method to control a drivetrain of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle is provided with a vibration sensor and a system for calculating the mass of the vehicle during driving, and where a starting gear of the transmission is automatically chosen dependent on the calculated mass of the vehicle. The method chooses a lower starting gear than the during, driving calculated mass has indicated if the vibration sensor has registered a vibration of the vehicle at stand still.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Johan Söderström, Edvard Lundgren
  • Patent number: 8849528
    Abstract: A system for selecting shift schedules of a transmission of a vehicle includes a controller configured to receive a signal indicative of acceleration of the vehicle prior to a change of a gear of the transmission. The controller is further configured to estimate tractive effort of the vehicle following the change of the gear of the transmission, the tractive effort estimation being based on at least an estimation of a road load on the vehicle. The controller is further configured to select between a first shift schedule and a second shift schedule based on the tractive effort estimation, wherein, if the tractive effort estimation is less than a threshold value, the controller selects the first shift schedule, and if the tractive effort estimation is at least equal to the threshold value, the controller selects the second shift schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Palmer
  • Patent number: 8843287
    Abstract: A belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism has a primary pulley, a secondary pulley, and a belt, and a secondary hydraulic pressure controller to determine command secondary hydraulic pressure by feedback control based on the deviation between target secondary hydraulic pressure and actual hydraulic pressure, and control the secondary hydraulic pressure to the secondary pulley. The belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism further includes a belt slip control device to estimate a belt slip condition by monitoring the phase difference between an oscillation component included in the actual secondary hydraulic pressure and an oscillation component included in the actual transmission gear ratio and control the actual secondary hydraulic pressure to decrease based on the estimation so that a predetermined belt slip condition is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignees: Jatco Ltd, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Doihara, Yoshihisa Kodama, Yasuaki Yoshikawa, Masahiro Nishi, Keisuke Koyama, Kenta Nakamura, Kiyotaka Sawano, Hidemasa Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 8831845
    Abstract: A method of controlling a dual clutch transmission includes repeatedly moving a synchronizer into interlocking engagement with a first gear with an actuator fork, and repeatedly sensing a position of the actuator fork for each occurrence that the actuator fork moves the synchronizer into the interlocking engagement with the first gear. The sensed positions of the actuator fork are averaged to define a first engaged position of the actuator fork for engaging the first gear. A second engaged position at which the actuator fork couples the synchronizer to a second gear may be determined in the same manner. A neutral position may be determined by identifying the axial locations of peak acceleration of the actuator fork while moving between the first engaged position and the second engaged position. The identified axial locations are averaged to define the neutral position of the actuator fork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Xuefeng Tim Tao, Matthew Kempeinen, Christopher Jay Weingartz, Jeryl McIver, David H Vu
  • Patent number: 8831846
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunio Hattori, Shinya Toyoda, Taira Iraha
  • Patent number: 8831847
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drivetrain having an automatic clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Winkelmann, Boris Serebrennikov
  • Patent number: 8825319
    Abstract: A method of controlling the performance of a vehicle from a stationary condition includes operating a vehicle powertrain in a creep mode following the disengagement of a driver-operated braking device; and operating the vehicle powertrain in a launch mode following an engagement of a driver-operated acceleration device subsequent to the disengagement of the driver-operated braking device. Operating a vehicle powertrain in a creep mode includes: applying a friction clutch to couple an engine crankshaft of the vehicle powertrain with an input shaft of the transmission; determining a torque command to accelerate the vehicle powertrain at a predetermined rate; providing the torque command to an engine controller to controllably increase the input torque to the transmission; and operating a closed loop engine speed control module to prevent the crankshaft speed from slowing below a predetermined engine idle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Klaus Pochner, Colin Hultengren, Krishnedu Kar
  • Patent number: 8825322
    Abstract: A bicycle component controlling includes at least a first sensor and a controller. The first sensor detects a first operating condition, whether a rider is sitting on a bicycle seat. A second sensor is provided that detects a second operating condition. The sensors output signals indicative of the respective operating conditions. The controller is operatively connected to at least the first sensor and possibly the second sensor. The controller is configured to generate a component control command to control a bicycle component based on at least the first signal and the possibly the second signal. The bicycle component is a component other than an automatic transmission and a suspension when the second sensor is not provided. If the second sensor is provided, a suspension and automatic transmission is controlled, or components other than an automatic transmission and a suspension is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Hideki Ikemoto, Tadashi Ichida, Nobukatsu Hara, Toyoto Shirai
  • Patent number: 8820341
    Abstract: A method is provided to detect the presence of hydraulic line pressure in a hydraulic control system in an electromechanical transmission. The method includes determining an estimated hydraulic line pressure of the hydraulic control system based upon an input flow and an output flow of hydraulic fluid. The input flow and output flow are regulated with a pressure control device, which is energizable on operator demand. A pressure detection device is fluidly connected to the pressure control device to detect the presence of hydraulic pressure. An override module is applied to the estimated hydraulic line pressure to determine a corrected hydraulic line pressure. The override module sets the corrected hydraulic line pressure to predetermined values based on the operating state indicated by the pressure detection device. The override module corrects for an over-estimation of hydraulic line pressure in operating conditions such as low environmental temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ali K. Naqvi, Syed Naqi
  • Publication number: 20140244122
    Abstract: A vehicle control device that includes a computer which controls an in-vehicle device provided in a vehicle. The control device can be configured with a main processing unit that performs a process for operating the in-vehicle device, and a safety function processing unit that performs a safety function process for detecting a dangerous state of the in-vehicle device which is operated according to the process performed by the main processing unit and bringing the in-vehicle device into a safe state. The safety function processing unit may include execution order monitoring means for monitoring whether an execution order of the safety function process is correct when the safety function process is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Tsunekazu Inakura, Tetsuya Sano, Takahiro Mizumoto, Masatoshi Taguchi
  • Publication number: 20140236438
    Abstract: A method for operating a 9-speed transmission which changes operating states by actuating shift elements. At least one of the shift elements is a form-locking shift element, which disengages to implement a defined transmission operating state during which the power flow, between transmission input and output shafts, is present or interrupted. A sensor is associated with the locking shift element. An operating state of the locking shift element can be determined by the sensor, Upon a request to disengage the locking shift element, a disengagement control signal is generated and the locking shift element is actuated in the disengagement direction, depending on the disengagement control signal. The transmission is shifted to a safe operating state, in which at least the transmission output shaft can rotate, when an engaged operating state of the locking shift element is determined by the sensor even though a disengagement control signal was generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Jorg ARNOLD, Georg MIHATSCH
  • Publication number: 20140236439
    Abstract: A method of operating a transmission device. At least one of the shift elements is a form-locking shift element. A sensor is associated with the form-locking shift element which can determine an operating state of the form-locking shift element. When a request to disengage the form-locking shift element occurs, a disengagement control signal is generated and the form-locking shift element is actuated in the direction of disengagement, depending on the disengagement control signal. The transmission device is transferred to a safe operating state in which the transmission output shaft can rotate, when an actuating pressure that changes the operating state of the form-locking shift element is determined with the sensor, even though a disengagement control signal was not generated, and/or when the sensor is associated with at least two form-locking shift elements and the form-locking shift elements are subjected to actuating pressure to implement a requested operating state change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Jorg ARNOLD, Georg MIHATSCH
  • Publication number: 20140236440
    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 29, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventor: Edmond M. Etchason
  • Publication number: 20140229083
    Abstract: An engine control strategy for a marine vessel propulsion system receives a request for a gear from among plural transmission gears, determines an engine speed for the requested transmission gear shift, adjusts the engine to the determined speed for a predetermined amount of time, and prevents the requested transmission gear shift from occurring for the predetermined amount of time while maintaining the engine at the predetermined speed. After the predetermined amount of time elapses, the requested shift is allowed to occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Conor A. Leehaug, Joseph H. Scott, Andrew H. Bazan, Jiuzhu Yi
  • Publication number: 20140222304
    Abstract: A method for controlling a continuously variable transmission of a work machine during a shuttle shift is disclosed. The method may generally include initiating a directional swap by disengaging an off-going directional clutch of the continuously variable transmission and slipping an on-coming directional clutch of the continuously variable transmission to decelerate the work machine in an off-going direction. In addition, the method may include estimating a total amount of energy to be dissipated in the on-coming directional clutch during the shuttle shift, comparing the total amount of energy to a predetermined energy threshold and, if the total amount of energy is equal to or exceeds the predetermined energy threshold, performing the reversion action to complete the shuttle shift, wherein the reversion action corresponds to an action taken to engage one of the off-going directional clutch or the on-coming directional clutch so as to permit the shuttle shift to be completed using ratio changing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Peter J. Dix, Garth H. Bulgrien, Pawel Kuros, Rocco Petrigliano
  • Publication number: 20140214288
    Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling a vehicle having an automatic transmission arranged to transmit a vehicle drive force from a drive power source of the vehicle to drive wheels of the vehicle, such that a shift-down operation of the automatic transmission is performed as a result of a kick-down operation, the control apparatus includes a shift-down operation permitting/inhibiting portion configured to restrict the shift-down operation of the automatic transmission as a result of the kick-down operation, if a running speed of the vehicle upon detection of the kick-down operation is lower than a lower limit predetermined for a presently established gear positions or speed ratio of the automatic transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takaaki Tokura, Hiroyuki Sawada, Naoto Moriya
  • Publication number: 20140214294
    Abstract: An automatic shift apparatus including a rotation shaft, a dog clutch gear shift mechanism, and a control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kyosuke MORI, YUUKI OHTA, MASAHIKO KOMURA, TOSHIYUKI MORIO, SHOTARO TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20140214293
    Abstract: A dog clutch control apparatus for an automated transmission includes a rotary shaft, plural dog clutch mechanisms, each of the dog clutch mechanisms including a clutch ring, a clutch hub arranged next to the clutch ring, a sleeve fitted with the clutch hub, a dog clutch portion which is provided at the clutch ring and selectively meshes with a spline formed at the sleeve, an axial driving device for moving the sleeve, the dog clutch control apparatus includes a disengagement detecting portion for detecting disengagement before the sleeve reaches a neutral position and a control apparatus for controlling operation of the axial driving device, wherein in a case where the disengagement is detected at a time of shifting operation, the control apparatus starts a shift-related control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kyosuke MORI, Masahiko KOMURA
  • Publication number: 20140207347
    Abstract: A vehicle control device for controlling a vehicle including a first power transmission mechanism arranged between a drive source and a drive wheel, and a second power transmission mechanism which is arranged in series with the first power transmission mechanism and which changes a speed ratio between an input shaft and an output shaft, includes slip detection means configured to detect whether or not a slip occurs in the first power transmission mechanism, and shift means configured to reduce the slip by shifting the second power transmission mechanism in a case where occurrence of the slip is detected by the slip detection means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Kousuke Waku, Hideshi Wakayama, Noritaka Aoyama
  • Patent number: 8788166
    Abstract: A downshift control method during a coasting drive condition includes computing changes in output torque and input speed from initial output torque and initial input speed; reducing offgoing element pressure, provided a change in input speed exceeds a reference input speed change; using closed loop control based on output torque and a change in measured output torque to adjust oncoming element pressure such that output torque remains between predetermined maximum and minimum torques; and fully engaging the oncoming element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Kucharski, Nimrod Kapas, Yuji Fujii, Gregory Michael Pietron, Diana Yanakiev
  • Publication number: 20140195131
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a dry dual-clutch transmission (dDCT) having a pair of input clutches and a gearbox containing oddly- and evenly-numbered gear sets, and a transmission control module (TCM). Application of one of input clutches connects the engine to a corresponding one of the oddly- or evenly-numbered gear sets. The TCM includes feed-forward PID-based control logic, and a torque-to-position (TTP) table for each input clutch. The TCM commands a position of a designated input clutch during a power-on upshift using the feed-forward, PID-based control logic, and selectively adapts the TTP table as a function of an inertia and acceleration value of the engine. The TCM may apply an asymmetrical handoff profile to commanded oncoming and offgoing clutch torques during the torque phase of the upshift. The TCM may also adjust the TTP table as a function of the frequency of use of the input clutches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventors: Brian M. Porto, Matthew D. Whitton, Steven P. Moorman, Craig J. Hawkins, Roberto Diaz
  • Patent number: 8775003
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a boost converter. In one embodiment, the method processes a command signal in a slew rate limiting circuit. The output of the slew rate limiting circuit is then processed using one or more feedback parameters from the proportional integrator to provide a processed command signal. The processed command signal is processed with a controlled signal to provide an error signal which is provided to the proportional integrator to provide a current command signal. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an error generating circuit configured to provide a processed command signal using one or more feedback parameters from the proportional integrator, and to provide the error signal by subtracting a signal to be controlled from the processed command signal. A slew rate limiting circuit is used to receive a command signal and provide an output to the error generating circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Seok-Joo Jang, Lihua Li, Ray M. Ransom
  • Patent number: 8775042
    Abstract: A method of controlling the system pressure in an automatic transmission having interlocking shifting elements in which, during shifts and gear engagement and gear disengagement processes involving interlocking shifting elements, as a function of the engagement and disengagement times of the interlocking shifting elements involved and the shift conditions of the frictional shifting elements involved, the system pressure is increased to an elevated pressure that enables rapid engagement or disengagement of the interlocking shifting elements, in such manner that the system pressure is increased in at least two phases whose timing depends on the shift conditions of at least one of the shifting elements involved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichschafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Andreas Schmidt, Christian Villing
  • Patent number: 8768590
    Abstract: A transmission ECU 12 determines whether or not the conditions for executing a neutral control operation are satisfied (step S11), and measures hydraulic oil temperature if it determines that the execution conditions are satisfied (step S12). Then, the transmission ECU 12 sets a target speed ratio for a torque converter 3 corresponding to the measured hydraulic oil temperature (step S13), and performs a neutral control operation to bring the speed ratio of the torque converter 3 equal to the target speed ratio (step S14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihiro Tsukamoto, Atsushi Ayabe
  • Patent number: 8755981
    Abstract: A method of controlling a transmission includes estimating an expected coefficient of friction of the clutch, estimating a value of an expected torque required to maintain a constant slip of the clutch for a current input torque applied to the transmission, and determining a value of an actual torque applied to the clutch to maintain the constant slip of the clutch at the current input torque. An actual coefficient of friction of the clutch is calculated by dividing the actual torque applied to the clutch by the expected torque applied to the clutch, and multiplying that quotient by the expected coefficient of friction of the clutch. A feed forward torque command is then adjusted based upon the actual coefficient of friction of the clutch to define a revised value of the feed forward torque command, which may then be used to control the clutch for various control operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Williams, Steven P. Moorman, Matthew D. Whitton
  • Publication number: 20140156155
    Abstract: Machines, such as large tractors used in earthmoving, operate in a cycle of pushing forward and reversing to a starting point. The net performance of the machine is a function of the speed at which the reverse segment is performed. Generally, using the highest gear for reverse accomplishes the goal of the fastest return. However, some high slope grade conditions may result in higher speeds using lower gears. A combination of slope, track speed vs. drawbar pull, and track slip may be used to recommend a gear and track speed with the greatest ground speed for reverse operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Faivre, Lance Cowper