Fail-safe Control (e.g., Preventing A Gear Shift) Patents (Class 701/62)
  • Patent number: 12054153
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle with an engine control unit including a unit for detecting the imminence of a breakdown with the engine or with an element associated with the engine, and a vehicle control unit including a unit for geo-locating the vehicle and the closest structure for repairing an imminent breakdown, a unit for formulating a route that the vehicle needs to follow in order to reach the structure and for geo-locating at least one safe stopping place that is en-route, the two units including a unit for receiving and transmitting information between them, the vehicle control unit sending the engine control unit a request for temporary malfunctioning of the vehicle just before the vehicle passes the at least one safe stopping place or the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Boyer, Thibaut Lahore
  • Patent number: 11640168
    Abstract: Systems and methods relating to controlling a driving system operatively coupled to a vehicle are disclosed. A location is identified using one or more sensors included with the vehicle. An input of the driving system is identified using the location. A desired output of the driving system is determined using the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Faraday & Future Inc.
    Inventors: John Henry Harris, III, Kameron Fraige Saad Buckhout, Sr.
  • Patent number: 11260869
    Abstract: A control device for an automatic transmission includes: a failure diagnosis section for diagnosing whether or not a failure has occurred in a shift control system of the automatic transmission; a fail-safe control section for fixing the automatic transmission into a predetermined gear position in response to confirmation of the failure of the shift control system of the automatic transmission; and an oil temperature rise regulation torque reduction control section for outputting a torque reduction request to suppress torque of a vehicle driving source, based on temperature of transmission operating oil of the automatic transmission, and outputting the torque reduction request in response to satisfaction of an oil temperature condition that is set lower in oil temperature when the automatic transmission is fixed in a first gear position by the fail-safe control section than when the automatic transmission is not fixed in the first gear position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: JATCO LTD
    Inventors: Tomoko Oue, Masashi Yamaji, Hiroshi Tsuchiya, Shin Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 11222487
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a fault in an in-wheel driving system of a vehicle including: an in-wheel motor; at least one speed reduction part coupled to the in-wheel motor through a gear and transferring a rotation force of the in-wheel motor to a wheel; a sensor part sensing rpms of the in-wheel motor and the speed reduction part; and a control unit suitable for calculating an rpm ratio between the in-wheel motor and the speed reduction part by using the respective rpms sensed through the sensor parts and determining whether a damage or a fault has occurred in the speed reduction part, based on the calculated rpm ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Il Hwa Hong
  • Patent number: 11125325
    Abstract: A shift range switching system includes: a motor that includes a motor winding and generates a cogging torque by a permanent magnet; a drive circuit; an output shaft; a shift range switching mechanism that includes a trough providing member with troughs and crests and integrally rotates with the output shaft, an engagement member that fits in one trough corresponding to a shift range, and an urging member that urges the engagement member toward the one trough; and a control unit. The engagement member drops into the one trough with an allowance. When an abnormality occurs in a motor drive system in an ascending action in which the engagement member moves from one trough toward one crest, the shift range switching system reduces an occurrence probability of an intermediate range stop abnormality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Sakaguchi, Taku Ito, Haruka Miyano
  • Patent number: 11084399
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes: an oil temperature sensor in the oil; a motor temperature sensor at a position higher than that of an oil level of the oil; a common temperature sensor disposed at a position in the oil when a driving state of the vehicle is a first driving state and disposed at a position higher than that of the oil level when the driving state of the vehicle is a second driving state; a state determination unit configured to determine whether the driving state of the vehicle is either one of the first and second driving states, on the basis of at least a revolution number of the motor; and a malfunction diagnosis unit configured to perform malfunction diagnosis on the basis of output from the common temperature sensor in the first driving state and output from the common temperature sensor in the second driving state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumihiko Tamoto, Masayoshi Nishimura
  • Patent number: 11009123
    Abstract: A method and a system of learning a pressure applied to a brake of a countershaft may include determining, when a shift condition is satisfied, whether a shifting to be performed is a power off upshift; releasing a clutch mounted between a power source and the transmission when the shifting to be performed is the power off upshift; detecting a contact duration until a speed of an input shaft of the transmission is lowered by a predetermined speed by applying a target pressure stored in a memory to the brake of the countershaft when the release of the clutch is completed; comparing the contact duration with a predetermined duration; correcting, when the contact duration is greater than the predetermined duration, the target pressure according to a difference between the contact duration and the predetermined duration; and storing and updating the corrected target pressure in the memory to apply a subsequent power on upshift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: June Oh
  • Patent number: 10738882
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing shift changes of a multi-speed automatic transmission of a vehicle are provided. The multi-speed automatic transmission being capable of establishing a plurality of forward speed ratios. The vehicle may include a transmission shift selector having at least one operator selectable shift request input to request a shift change of the multi-speed automatic transmission. A control circuit operatively coupled to the multi-speed automatic transmission is provided which shifts the multi-speed automatic transmission from a first forward speed ratio to a second forward speed ratio in response to shift criteria. The shift criteria may be based on a plurality of operational characteristics related to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Maurer, Mark A. Rains, Edmond M. Etchason
  • Patent number: 10738883
    Abstract: A controller of a power transmission system for a vehicle includes an electronic control unit. When a difference between a secondary pressure set by use of a command pressure of the electromagnetic control valve for the secondary pulley, and an actual pressure obtained by a hydraulic pressure sensor, is larger than a predetermined pressure difference, the electronic control sets a primary pressure and the secondary pressure such that a speed ratio of a continuously variable transmission becomes substantially equal to a maximum value. The electronic control unit determines that there is an abnormality that an output pressure of the electromagnetic control valve for a secondary pulley is low, when the speed ratio is smaller than a predetermined first determination value, and determines that there is an abnormality in the hydraulic pressure sensor, when the speed ratio is larger than a predetermined second determination value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO TEN LIMITED
    Inventors: Kyohei Suzumura, Shinya Toyoda, Masayuki Tsujita, Tetsuya Okumura
  • Patent number: 10718390
    Abstract: Abnormality detection device for automatic transmission of invention has automatic transmission 5A connected to vehicle driving source 1, 3 through clutch 4a; range detector detecting selection range of selector lever 9 and outputting detection signal; manual valve 90 configured to, when selector lever is positioned at drive range position, engage clutch and bring automatic transmission into power transmission state, and when selector lever is positioned at range position except drive range position, disengage clutch and bring automatic transmission into power non-transmission state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junki Matsui, Masahiro Hamano, Norihira Amano
  • Patent number: 10703203
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline component having a housing, first and second shafts supported by the housing for rotation about a rotary axis, a two-speed transmission in a power transmission path between the first and second shafts, a shift fork and a failsafe spring. The two-speed transmission has a movable member that is movable along the rotary axis between a high-speed position, in which the two-speed transmission operates in a first gear ratio, and a low-speed position in which the two-speed transmission operates in a second gear ratio that provides a higher speed reduction between the first and second shafts than the first gear ratio. The shift fork is coupled to the movable member for movement therewith along the rotary axis. The failsafe spring is disposed coaxially about the rotary axis and biases the movable member toward the high-speed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Legault, William Dodge, Gurmeet Singh Bedi
  • Patent number: 10697539
    Abstract: A system for determining a torque converter clutch is stuck in an engaged position includes a control module, an engine speed sensor, and a transmission speed sensor. The control module evaluates the torque converter clutch by determining a value of a torque converter clutch command. The torque converter clutch command indicates a position of the torque converter clutch. In response to determining that the value of the torque converter clutch command indicates the disengaged position, the control module calculates accumulated slip based on the transmission speed and the engine speed during an evaluation time. In response to determining the evaluation time is complete, the control module compares the accumulated slip with a calibrated threshold of slip. In response to the accumulated slip being less than or equal to the calibrated threshold of slip, the control module determines the torque converter clutch is stuck in the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Steven P. Moorman
  • Patent number: 10605355
    Abstract: A method (200) for the open-loop control of a gearbox (100) that comprises an input shaft (105) and a first and a second proportionally controllable shift element (A-F) is provided. The method includes disengaging (215) the first shift element (A-F) according to a first control profile and engaging (220) the second shift element (A-F) according to a second control profile. The method also includes cyclically performing the following during the disengagement and the engagement: determining (230) a difference between the rotational speed of the input shaft (105) and a rotational speed which the input shaft (105) assumes when the second shift element (A-F) has been completely engaged; determining (230) a gradient of the difference; and adapting (230) the first control profile on the basis of the gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Harald Stehle, Peter Schiele, Günther Maier
  • Patent number: 10458538
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an automatic transmission including a torque converter with a lock-up clutch capable of connecting an output shaft of an engine and an input shaft of the automatic transmission includes a release determination unit configured to determine based on a deceleration and a reference deceleration whether to change an engaging state of an engaging mechanism that constitutes the set gear range of the automatic transmission to a release state when a brake operation is detected, and a control unit configured to control the engaging mechanism based on determination of the release determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumio Egashira, Yasuyuki Hibino, Yutaka Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 10323584
    Abstract: A simple and effective control method is disclosed for starting and stopping a vehicle's engine and automatic lighting of position lamps to show the vehicle's location. The method uses brake and gear shift lever of the vehicle to generate selection signals, and a button switch can be pressed to stop or start the engine of the vehicle according to the selection signals, which can provide vehicle drivers a simple and secure way to control their vehicles while waiting at a stoplight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Inventor: Fu Ling Chang
  • Patent number: 10253875
    Abstract: An apparatus for multiplexing gear engagement control in an automatic transmission is provided. At least two friction engagement devices are configured to selectively engage and disengage a different gear ratio of the transmission. A trim system is configured to selectively supply engagement and disengagement pressures to at least one fluid passageway. A first control valve is fluidly coupled directly to the at least one fluid passageway and directly to each of the at least two friction engagement devices. The first control valve is configured to selectively route the engagement and disengagement pressures through the first control valve directly to the at least two friction devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Darren J. Weber, John William Edward Fuller
  • Patent number: 9994216
    Abstract: A fail-safe control method and apparatus for an engine clutch actuator includes determining whether a driving mode of a hybrid vehicle is an electric vehicle (EV) mode. An oil pressure in a cylinder of the engine clutch actuator is measured when the driving mode of the hybrid vehicle is the EV mode. The oil pressure value in the cylinder is compared with a previously stored average pressure value. A motor of the engine clutch actuator rotates to decrease the oil pressure value in the cylinder t when the oil pressure value in the cylinder is greater than the previously stored average pressure value. An engine clutch is connected to an internal combustion engine as the oil pressure value in the cylinder decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Tae Ho Kim, Jong Hyun Kim, Young Chul Kim
  • Patent number: 9759314
    Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus, wherein the first switching valve receives an input of one of the hydraulic pressure from the first electromagnetic valve device and the predetermined hydraulic pressure from the third switching valve, as a switching signal pressure, the first switching valve is switched from the first state to the second state in response to the input of the switching signal pressure, and the first switching valve is held in the second state, and the second switching valve receives an input of one of the hydraulic pressure from the first electromagnetic valve device and the predetermined hydraulic pressure from the third switching valve, as a holding pressure for holding the normal supply state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignees: AISIN AW CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenichi Tsuchida, Yoshimitsu Hyodo, Yuhei Yoshioka, Nobuhiko Miyamoto, Yuichiro Kato, Toshihiko Kamiya, Akio Murasugi, Masakazu Owatari
  • Patent number: 9616902
    Abstract: A safety method for a passenger of a vehicle may include a control logic for detecting a current gear position in a state where the vehicle is stopped, determining whether a passenger door and a rear seat door are open, and allowing driving in a state where the passenger door and the rear seat door are closed but limiting a vehicle drive by changing the gear position to a non-drivable gear position in a state where the passenger door or the rear seat door is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Han Gil Park, Chang Hyun Lee, Yang Rae Cho, Ean Soo Cho
  • Patent number: 9341244
    Abstract: A diagnostic device for a shift control actuator of a CVT includes: a variator; a chamber that is filled with and discharges hydraulic fluid for an upshift and a downshift, respectively; an upshift control valve for filling hydraulic fluid into the chamber; a downshift control valve for discharging hydraulic fluid from the chamber; a fail-safe valve for suspending the discharge of hydraulic fluid from the chamber when the upshift control valve is in a filling state; actuators for driving the upshift and downshift control valves; and a shift controller for controlling the actuators so that an actual shift ratio approaches a target ratio. The shift controller determines the state of the actuators with the information on the actual shift ratio when the controller instructs a downshift or an upshift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takahiro Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 9130546
    Abstract: A drive circuit is provided with an input terminal for receiving input signals, an output terminal that outputs drive signals generated from the input signals, a control power supply terminal that receives a control power supply voltage, an output terminal that outputs an output signal, and a reset terminal that receives a reset signal. The output signal is given to a gate of a MOSFET. A secondary side circuit and a MOSFET constitute a step-down chopper circuit, which steps down a voltage through duty ratio control of the gate drive signal and generates a control power supply voltage. Upon receipt of a reset signal, the drive circuit stops outputting the drive signal and changes the output signal so as to reduce the control power supply voltage VCC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masayoshi Utani, Mitsutaka Hano
  • Patent number: 9079583
    Abstract: In a case of engagement when a clutch K0 disposed between an engine 12 and a motor generator MG is engaged during EV running while a release instruction for the clutch K0 is output, drive of the engine 12 is changed such that a rotation speed NE of the engine 12 approaches a rotation speed NMG of the motor generator MG and, therefore, a drag torque of the engine 12 can be suppressed regardless of an engagement state of the clutch K0, and generation of longitudinal acceleration can be suppressed by reducing a slip time of the clutch K0. Therefore, a control device of a hybrid vehicle 10 can be provided that reduces a driver's uncomfortable feeling in a simplified manner in a case of wrong engagement of the clutch K0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Terufumi Miyazaki, Yukihiko Ideshio, Toshihiko Kamiya, Shingo Eto, Hironori Asaoka, Yasuyuki Kato
  • Patent number: 9037366
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling a fail-safe for a vehicle is provided. The method includes determining, by a controller, that remaining hydraulic pressure exists in the clutch when the clutch is not opened and a target value of oil pressure for opening the clutch is maintained for a predetermined time period. In addition, whether a vehicle is stopped is confirmed in response to determining that remaining hydraulic pressure exists in the engine clutch. The controller is further configured to transmit a signal to shift to the vehicle to a neutral (N) stage to a transmission controller and shift to the vehicle to the N-stage in response to determining that the vehicle is stopped. Then, the engine is driven by the controller in response to determining that the vehicle is shifted to the N-stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Seong Wook Moon, Jong Han Oh, Seok Min Jeong
  • Patent number: 9014909
    Abstract: A system and method are for diagnosing a fault state of a shift linkage in a marine propulsion device. A control lever is movable towards at least one of a maximum reverse position and a maximum forward position. A shift linkage couples the control lever to a transmission, wherein movement of the control lever causes movement of the shift linkage that enacts a shift change in the transmission. A shift sensor outputs a position signal representing a current position of the shift linkage. A control circuit diagnoses a fault state of the shift linkage when after the shift change the position signal that is output by the shift sensor is outside of at least one range of position signals that is stored in the control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Dengel, Gene A. Smedema, Lance W. Ziemer
  • Patent number: 9008931
    Abstract: A bicycle gear shift control system capable of avoiding frequent gear shifting includes: a power module; a microcomputer electrically connected to the power module for allowing a cyclist to switch between the automatic gear shifting mode and a manual gear shifting mode; a gear shifting driver electrically connected to the microcomputer, substantially connected to a derailleur, and instructed by the microcomputer to drive the derailleur to perform gear shift control; and a manual shifting controller electrically connected to the microcomputer. The microcomputer has an automatic gear shifting logic whereby the microcomputer determines the timing of automatic gear shifting and performs gear shifting. The microcomputer further has a gear shifting delay logic that involves delaying for a delay time interval from commencement of gear shifting according to a gear shifting criterion and ruling out all other gear shifting commands during the delay time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: J.D. Components Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chi-Chang Cheng
  • Patent number: 8989971
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and compensating for pressure transducer errors includes a valve for regulating operation of a hydraulic device, a pressure transducer for detecting a pressure output from the valve, and a microprocessor comprising logic for computing a pressure measurement error of the pressure transducer. The pressure transducer is configured to output a pressure reading representing the detected pressure. The pressure measurement error may be computed using a first pressure reading from the pressure transducer taken at an operating condition in which the actual output pressure of the valve is substantially known, together with the substantially known actual output pressure of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Mark L. Dell' Eva
  • Patent number: 8972137
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting that a four-wheel drive manual transmission vehicle is being operated in a manner that could cause a clutch over-speed problem. Upon detecting that the vehicle is being operated in the manner that could cause the clutch over-speed problem, the system and method activate a braking countermeasure to remove the potential problem. In addition, a fault code may be stored for subsequent diagnostic measures and/or a fault indicator may be used to alert the driver of the problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Edwin Moses, Loren M. Trotter
  • Patent number: 8972130
    Abstract: An ECU determines whether or not there is an abnormality (shift pattern abnormality) in a combination of shift signals provided from a shift position sensor. After occurrence of the shift pattern abnormality is determined, ECU determines whether or not a first condition that a shift pattern has changed into a normal pattern of a drive range, a second condition that a brake is ON and a vehicle is in a stop state is satisfied, and a third condition that an accelerator is OFF are satisfied. When occurrence of the shift pattern abnormality is determined, ECU stops generation of driving force of the vehicle and prohibits switching to the drive range. When ECU determines that the above-mentioned first to third conditions are satisfied after occurrence of the shift pattern abnormality is determined, ECU switches the shift range to the drive range indicated by the shift pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiji Kaita, Masaya Amano, Takeshi Hoshiba, Koji Hokoi, Takahiko Hirasawa
  • Patent number: 8948986
    Abstract: A system includes an accumulator control module that selectively releases automatic transmission fluid from an accumulator. The accumulator control module also receives a plurality of measured characteristics of the accumulator. A temperature estimation module estimates a temperature of the automatic transmission fluid within the accumulator based on at least one of the measured characteristics of the accumulator. An engine start-stop module selectively disables automatic start-stop events of an internal combustion engine based on the estimated temperature of the automatic transmission fluid within the accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventors: Paul G. Otanez, Zhen J. Zhang
  • Patent number: 8935067
    Abstract: An electronic control unit senses an actual shift range of a automatic transmission by executing a range determination operation, which determines the actual shift range of the automatic transmission based on a rotational position of a manual shaft that is sensed with an encoder. The control unit prohibits the execution of the range determination operation throughout a range determination operation prohibiting period, which is a predetermined time period and starts from a time point of starting rotation of the rotor of the electric motor unit toward the target rotational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Yamada, Kiyoshi Kimura
  • Patent number: 8909445
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determination of one or more shift points for a gearbox in a motor vehicle which comprises an engine connected to, in order to drive, said gearbox, where a shift point represents an engine speed at which said gearbox is adapted to effecting a downshift or upshift, said one or more shift points are determined on the basis of an engine target speed ?T and a first engine speed difference ??TT, said target speed ?T is a desired speed for said engine, said first engine speed difference ??TT is a difference between a first engine speed at a first time t1 and said target speed ?T at a second time t2, and said first and second times t1 and t2 are separated by a time period T. The invention relates also to a system, a motor vehicle, a computer program and a computer program product thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Swartling, Anders Kjell, Tom Nyström
  • Patent number: 8909444
    Abstract: A method for controlling a motor vehicle transmission (11) is disclosed in which a sensor (18) used to produce an indication of position of a selector (17) is calibrated such that positioning the selector (17) at a peak force feedback position produced by a peak and trough force feedback mechanism (24) connected to the selector (17) will always result in the selection of a drive mode of the transmission (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Rob Jerger, Pete Stares, Hardev Mandair
  • Patent number: 8903578
    Abstract: A method of controlling a hybrid vehicle having a step ratio transmission is disclosed. The method utilizes terrain data to reduce the number of shift events. The method comprises receiving data indicative of a grade profile of an anticipated route, identifying a forecast shift sequence comprising a forecast downshift event and an adjacent forecast upshift event, and adjusting the shift criteria based on the time between the forecast shift events, the road grade between the forecast shift events, and the state of a storage battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Steven Yamazaki, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Marvin Paul Kraska, Daniel Scott Colvin
  • Patent number: 8897978
    Abstract: A method and system provides a Neutral Hold mode in a vehicle having a shift-by-wire transmission with a return to park feature. The Neutral Hold mode is entered upon detecting when the transmission control mechanism has been used a first time to select Neutral when a driver's door is open or has been used a second time to select Neutral. When in Neutral Hold mode, the transmission will stay in Neutral and not shift to Park upon detecting that a driver has exited the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Luke Fyie, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Brian J Deurloo, Mark Edward Zyskowski, William Russell Goodwin, Charles C Poon, Christopher Lee Danks, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Tumavitch
  • Patent number: 8884577
    Abstract: In a control apparatus for a rotary electric machine receiving power from a DC power supply, a DC-AC converting circuit is provided with serially connected circuits each having high-potential-side and low-potential-side switching elements. When a short-circuit occurs at the switching elements, all the switching elements are turned OFF for failsafe and a path connecting the machine and the battery is opened. In such a case, a switching element belonging to part of the switching elements is turned ON, with potential at all the terminals of the rotary electric machine being the same. A location of the short-circuit occurs is identified, based on changes in current passing through the machine and being detected in response to turning ON the switching element. The changes are at least one of a reduction change in deviation of the current from a zero point and a reduction change in an absolute value of the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroya Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8878689
    Abstract: A meter reader for reading a meter have a display portion displaying a total output of a quantity being metered and plural incremental outputs defining the total output. The meter reader includes a sensing mechanism for sensing one of the plural incremental outputs in the meter display portion, and a processing unit coupled to the sensing mechanism for accumulating incremental outputs sensed by the sensing mechanism and for determining accumulated meter output over a time period based on the accumulated incremental outputs. Also included is an output mechanism for outputting the accumulated meter output determined by the processing unit. In one example, the sensing mechanism includes a sensor for sensing only a least significant incremental output in usage included in the meter display portion, and an emitter for illuminating the least significant incremental output included in the meter display portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sensus Spectrum LLC
    Inventor: Hugh Britton Sanderford
  • Patent number: 8874332
    Abstract: A system and method involves a machine having a power train including a continuously variable transmission (CVT) associated with a plurality of virtual gear ratios. To shift between the plurality of virtual gear ratios, the machine may include an operator input device that may be movable between a plurality of distinct positions. A first position may be associated with a neutral position in which no shifting of virtual gear ratios occurs. A second position of the operator input device may be associated with a first incremental rate for shifting between the virtual gear ratios. A third position may be associated with a second incremental rate for shifting between the virtual gear ratios which is different than the first incremental rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Davis, Adam Nackers, Michael D. Beyer, Shane C. McBride
  • Patent number: 8862351
    Abstract: A method of controlling a transmission (100) for a machine is disclosed. The transmission includes a variator (104). The transmission is operated in a first operating range (301). It is determined whether a current speed ratio is within a first predetermined range of a speed ratio associated with a first synchronous point (304) lying between the first operating range (301) and the second operating range (302). A desired speed ratio is determined and it is determined if the desired speed ratio is within a second predetermined range of the speed ratio. A shift between the first and second operating ranges (301, 302) is prevented and the variator (104) is controlled to hold the current speed ratio if the desired speed ratio is within the second predetermined range or the rate of acceleration of the machine is below the threshold acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Beyer, Adam Vaccari, Christopher Rhoades, Adam Nackers, Brian Lister, Mike Barngrover
  • Patent number: 8862284
    Abstract: The present invention provides a neutral-position parking apparatus and method in a shift-by-wire system. The neutral-position parking apparatus connects a shift-by-wire unit to a smart key control ECU through a controller area network (CAN) communication to perform a control of maintaining a neutral position according to a control command of the smart key control ECU receiving a door lock signal from a smart key. Also, the neutral-position parking apparatus communicably connects a power distributor to the smart key control ECU to power off a vehicle upon neutral-position parking according to the control command of the smart key control ECU receiving the door lock signal from the smart key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jung Keun You
  • Publication number: 20140303861
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes: a first calculation processing portion outputting a calculation result based on an input value; and a second calculation processing portion acquiring the same input value as the input value of the first calculation processing portion, the second calculation processing portion detecting an abnormality of the first calculation processing portion based on comparison between the input value of the second calculation processing portion and the calculation result of the first calculation processing portion or based on whether the calculation result is a predefined highly safe state value at which a relatively high safety state of a vehicle is acquired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masato Matsubara, Masato Tateno
  • Patent number: 8836268
    Abstract: A pulse signal output unit sends three-phase pulse signals according to movement of the movable member. A counter unit adds a first predetermined value or a second predetermined value to a count value or subtracts the first predetermined value or the second predetermined value from the count value, according to a combination of the pulse signals appearing when all the pulse signals are normal and a combination of the pulse signals appearing when one of the pulse signals malfunctions. A position detection unit detects the position of the movable member according to the count value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takuya Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8812207
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and correcting mismatches between an electronic shifter position and a vehicle's actual transmission gear. The method and system implement a correction scheme that may initially set a period for manual correction, if possible, then initiate automatic correction if correction is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignees: Chrysler Group LLC, Kostal of America
    Inventors: Brian L Wagoner, Eugene Karpinsky, Matthew S Martin, Michael F Tefend, Steven R Hoskins
  • Patent number: 8768589
    Abstract: A dual clutch transmission includes a transmission control unit that controls action of a first clutch actuator, a second clutch actuator, and a shift mechanism; determines whether or not a clutch torque capacity for an engaging-side clutch has increased to a determination value during a clutch change period; and, if the clutch torque capacity for the engaging-side clutch has increased to the determination value, changes the torque transmission path by reducing the clutch torque capacity of a release-side clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Arai
  • Patent number: 8768582
    Abstract: An engine control device detects the state of work of a working vehicle such as a construction machine or the like, and controls the power output capacity of an engine automatically. A determination is made as to whether excavation or uphill traveling is being performed, based upon the detection signals from a hydraulic oil pressure detector for a hydraulic cylinder of an arm, detectors for arm and bucket operation commands, a shift operation detector for a transmission, a pitch angle detector for the vehicle body, a traveling acceleration detector, and an accelerator opening degree detector. When the result of this determination is that excavation or uphill traveling is being performed, the engine is controlled to operate at a high power capacity, while at other times it is controlled to operate at a low power output capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiji Toda
  • Patent number: 8762015
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryo Takada, Shoji Fushimi, Tsunekazu Inakura, Masatoshi Taguchi
  • Patent number: 8755980
    Abstract: A vehicle with a transmission having a crankshaft and an output shaft. A clutch located between the output shaft and a drive wheel is engaged and disengaged according to a rotational speed of the output shaft. An idle speed control device performs idle speed control to adjust an idle rotational speed of an engine. An electronic control unit (ECU) suppresses or stops the idle speed control when the clutch is engaged, or when an abnormality in the transmission is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuichiro Sawada
  • Patent number: 8749370
    Abstract: A gear shift indicator can reduce bothersome feelings of the driver. The EFI-ECU acquires information about the travelling state of a vehicle, and calculates a target gear shift stage for improving fuel consumption. The EFI-ECU acquires information about a current gear shift stage. The EFI-ECU determines that a gear shift request is generated when the current gear shift stage is different from the target gear shift stage. When the EFI-ECU determines that an AI control is under execution and that the calculated target gear shift stage is a restricted gear shift stage prohibited in the AI control, the EFI-ECU does not present a gear shift indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuntaro Shinohara, Shinji Kato, Kazumitsu Sugano
  • Patent number: 8751122
    Abstract: A method of monitoring an emergency condition in an automatic transmission, with which, by comparing a theoretical with an actual rotational speed, measured on the transmission input side, overlap of the activated emergency condition, with a gear engagement process called for during the normal condition, is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jorg Arnold, Michael Sohler, Klaus Steinhauser, Thilo Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8738258
    Abstract: In a powertrain for a motor vehicle that includes an engine, a transmission driveably connected to the engine and wheels of the vehicle, an electric machine for transmitting power to at least some of the vehicle wheels, a method for controlling the powertrain includes operating the engine and transmission to produce a wheel torque at a desired vehicle speed with the transmission operating in a desired gear in response to a demanded wheel torque, increasing the demanded wheel torque due to the vehicle ascending a grade, determining a magnitude of wheel torque able to be produced in the desired gear, using the electric motor to provide a second wheel torque in combination with wheel torque whose magnitude is equal to or greater than the wheel torque being produced in the desired gear, and continuing to operate the transmission in the desired gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew J. Silveri, Ihab S. Soliman
  • Patent number: 8731792
    Abstract: A control system for a dry dual clutch transmission (DCT) includes first, second, and third modules. The first module detects whether a hydraulic pressure sensor of a hydraulic fluid delivery system in the dry DCT has failed. The second module estimates a pressure of hydraulic fluid within an accumulator of the hydraulic fluid delivery system based on one of (i) torque generated by and temperature of a hydraulic fluid pump and (ii) a drain down period of the accumulator and a period since the hydraulic fluid pump was on. The third module controls start/stop of the hydraulic fluid pump based on the estimated hydraulic fluid pressure when the hydraulic pressure sensor has failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventors: Zhen J. Zhang, David Juhassz, John E. Marano