Indicating A Completion Of A Shift Or A Shift To Be Completed Patents (Class 701/64)
  • Patent number: 8634995
    Abstract: A voting strategy is used to determine the mode state of a transmission when a vehicle is restarted. A Powertrain Control Module, a Transmission Range Control Module, and a Gear Shift Module communicate through a communication network during execution of the voting strategy. Each module stores a remembered mode state (Normal, Neutral Hold, Neutral Tow, etc.) of the transmission in non-volatile memory. Upon module initialization, the Powertrain Control Module will compare its own remembered mode state of the transmission with the remembered mode state reported by the other two modules. A basic voting strategy is that if two of the three modules report the same remembered mode state then the Powertrain Control Module changes the transmission to that same mode state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian J Deurloo, Mark Edward Zyskowski, Christopher Lee Danks, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Tumavitch
  • Patent number: 8630781
    Abstract: A regeneration energy shunt system utilizes a module to monitor the power bus voltage and can divert excess regeneration energy to a resistor array to dissipate the excess regeneration energy. The module can monitor the state of charge of an energy storage device to ascertain when excess regeneration energy condition exists. The resistor array can include a plurality of resistors. The module can ascertain the number of resistors needed dissipate the excess regeneration energy and selectively direct the excess regeneration energy to the required number of resistors. The module can dynamically switch which resistors are used to dissipate the excess regeneration energy and can thereby even out the loading across the resistors. The module can ascertain a state of health of the individual resistors and remove unhealthy resistors from service, report the state of health of the resistors, and initiate changes in operation based thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Sean C. O'Connor, Kenneth R. Wilson, Jeffrey A. Millard
  • Patent number: 8612106
    Abstract: A system for controlling a transmission of a vehicle powered by an engine includes a torque determination module and a shift determination module. The torque determination module determines a desired exhaust brake torque for the engine based on an actual speed of the vehicle and a desired speed of the vehicle. The shift determination module determines whether to shift between gear ratios of the transmission based on the desired exhaust brake torque and an exhaust brake torque capacity of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventors: Andrew L. Mitchell, Kevin L. Kluemper, Brett R. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 8606475
    Abstract: The shift range switching apparatus includes a switching mechanism driven to switch a shift range of an automatic transmission, a drive section which drives the switching mechanism, an operating member operated to switch the shift range, a control section to control the drive section such that the shift range is switched in accordance with a switching operation by a vehicle driver, an abnormality detection section configured to cause the drive section to drive the switching mechanism when a predetermined abnormality detection condition is satisfied indicating that the vehicle driver is unlikely to operate the operating member, a driving state detection section to detect a driving state of the drive section after the abnormality detection section causes the drive section to drive, and an abnormality determination section to determine whether the drive section is abnormal in accordance with a detection result by the driving state detection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kouji Yasui
  • Patent number: 8600633
    Abstract: A dual-clutch transmission (DCT) system includes a vehicle speed offset module that generates a vehicle speed offset signal based on a preselect time and a vehicle acceleration signal. A compensated vehicle speed module generates a compensated vehicle speed based on the vehicle speed offset signal and a vehicle speed. A preselect command module generates a predicted gear signal based on a comparison between the compensated vehicle speed and a shift point from a shift pattern module. The predicted gear signal, identifies a first predicted gear of a DCT. The preselect time is defined as at least an amount of time to disengage a second predicted gear and preengage the first predicted gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Inventors: Xuefeng Tim Tao, Donald D. Crites
  • Patent number: 8600635
    Abstract: When a select lever is in a drive range, a microcomputer reads a value of an output voltage by a switch-operation-signal output circuit after detecting that both shift-up switch and shift-down switch are substantially simultaneously turned on, checks whether or not the output voltage by the switch-operation-signal output circuit is the output voltage indicating that the switch after a predetermined time has elapsed is in a normal condition, and only when the output voltage is such an output voltage, permits a manual mode of an automatic transmission and when the output voltage is not such an output voltage, cancels the manual mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Wakita, Yoshiyuki Nagayama
  • Patent number: 8587423
    Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying a driver shift aid are disclosed. In one aspect, an electronic control unit causes a shift indicator to be presented if a need for a shift is detected and vehicle performance after the shift would not be unduly impacted. If the vehicle operator follows the guidance of the shift indicator, vehicle fuel efficiency may be improved while vehicle performance remains adequate. In one aspect, a different indicator may be displayed to prompt the vehicle operator to shift either one gear or two gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Stephan Olsen, Ethan A. Ott, Zachary Slaton, Mark Nievelstein
  • Patent number: 8577568
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a thermal management system and method that can recommend operational behavior to an operator of an engine system to optimize fuel economy over a period of time in which a components of the engine system is in a warm up and/or regeneration state. In one representative embodiment, the expected temperature change of the engine component at a later time is determined based on inefficient operation of the engine, such as a transmission down shift resulting in higher engine speed and lower engine torque, and the expected temperature change of the engine component resulting from operating the engine under current conditions or expected conditions at that later time is determined. A determination is made as to whether the inefficient engine operation is the optimal operation in view of fuel economy and a recommendation is generated for the operator based if optimal operation is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek A. Sujan, Phani Vajapeyazula, Kenneth Follen, An Wu, Barty L. Moffett
  • Patent number: 8565949
    Abstract: A method includes determining an amount of power currently available from a battery for tractive torque as an amount of power stored in the battery less an amount of power required to power other vehicle components, and less an amount of power required to start the engine. An output torque limit when torque is provided only by the motor and power required to provide the output torque limit are determined based on test data. A maximum output torque is calculated by multiplying the amount of power determined to be currently available for tractive torque by a ratio of the output torque limit to the amount of power required to provide the output torque limit. The current output torque may be reduced at a predetermined rate until within a predetermined range of the lesser of the maximum output torque and the output torque limit if an engine start is requested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Christman, Shaochun Ye, Michael Arnett
  • Patent number: 8560194
    Abstract: A shifting range sensing system, may include a shift lever pivotally connected to a vehicle body, a shift range sensing apparatus to sense a pivotal movement of the shift lever, an inhibitor switch mounted in a transmission, and a controller taking an emergency measure when a signal of the inhibitor switch and a signal of the shifting range sensing apparatus do not indicate the same shifting range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Kyung Chang Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eunsik Kim, Dohyon Won, Kangyoung Kim
  • Patent number: 8538647
    Abstract: In an operation of controlling an automatic transmission, an engagement pressure for each hydraulic servo in a normal operation is determined so that none of friction engagement elements slips at each shift speed in the normal operation, and so that in case of a failure in which the friction engagement element that is supposed to be disengaged in the normal operation is engaged, one of the friction engagement elements slips, and thus one of the shift speeds is established. In the control operation, upon detection of a failure state in which a gear ratio after a shift operation is a gear ratio of a shift speed different from a shift speed to be established, the slipping friction engagement element is disengaged, and the shift speed that is different from the shift speed to be established is temporarily retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Sahashi, Shin-ichirou Murakami, Masaki Nishide, Tatsuya Oba
  • Patent number: 8532894
    Abstract: A shifting range sensing device may include an electronic communication unit that includes a housing fixed to an outside of an external bracket of a shift lever, a magnet being disposed in the housing and rotatable in a forward-backward direction therein wherein the magnet pivots with rotation of the shift lever in the forward-backward direction, and a Hall sensor sensing the forward-backward direction movement of the magnet, and a microswitch electrically connected with the electronic communication unit and engaged to a side of the shift lever, wherein the microswitch may be turned on/off in accordance with a left-right rotation of the shift lever, wherein the microswitch transmits on/off signal to the electronic communication unit and the electronic communication unit transmits information sensed by the Hall sensor and the on/off signal sensed by the microswitch to a transmission controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Kyun Chang Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eunsik Kim, Kangyoung Kim, Dohyon Won
  • Patent number: 8504266
    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: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Jaguar Cars Limited
    Inventors: Rob Jerger, Pete Stares, Hardev Mandair
  • Patent number: 8494736
    Abstract: A method and device for driving assistance for a propulsion unit of a vehicle with manual control of the transmission gear ratio, using a control system with a calculator controlling an indication to a driver of a recommended gear ratio based on a request information from the driver and depending on driving conditions of the vehicle at any moment, and a mapping of the gear change rules from which the ratio to be recommended is determined, depending on the vehicle speed at each moment, for an optimal fuel consumption and a minimized pollutant emission. The recommended ratio for an optimal consumption is corrected in successive steps by taking into account, one after the other, a set of constraints concerning the driving safety and comfort, each step having priority over the previous one so that the ratio finally recommended is an optimal balance between the different constraints while putting an emphasis on driving safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Patrice Habert, Eric Vigerie
  • Patent number: 8494730
    Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus includes a clutch that operates based on pressure of a fed fluid to adjust a mode of power transmission of an engine or/and a motor/generator on a power transmission route, a first driving pump that feeds the fluid to the clutch by being driven in accordance with rotation of the motor/generator, and a second driving pump that feeds the fluid to the clutch by being driven in accordance with electric power, wherein a first engagement unit and a second engagement unit can be caused to engage rapidly or slowly by selecting one of the first driving pump and the second driving pump as a source of the fluid, and when a drive request of the clutch is present and a rotation speed of the motor/generator is lower than a predetermined rotation speed, the first engagement unit and the second engagement unit are caused to engage rapidly by feeding the fluid from the second driving pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masato Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 8447482
    Abstract: A shift control device includes a clutch for performing a connection/disconnection of power transmitted to a drive wheel from an engine based on an operation input to a shift operator, an actuator for performing a drive control of the clutch, and a controller for controlling the driving of the actuator. The controller includes an operation quantity detector for detecting an operation quantity of a shift operator, a shift starter performing a control toward the disengagement of the clutch by driving the actuator at a stage in which an operation quantity detected by the operation quantity detector exceeds a first threshold value, and a shift starter for performing a disengagement control of the clutch by driving the actuator at a stage wherein an operation quantity detected by the operation quantity detector exceeds a second threshold value which is larger than the first threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiko Tomoda
  • Patent number: 8437931
    Abstract: A method for performing gear shifting by engaging a coupling element with a gear wheel includes moving the coupling element relative to the gear wheel from a disengaged position to an engaged position, in which a particular gear is selected. A speed of the coupling element relative to a speed of the gear wheel is controlled during movement of the coupling element so that a speed difference is maintained until the coupling element reaches the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventors: Christer Asplund, Joakim Gäfvert
  • Patent number: 8433487
    Abstract: A dual-clutch transmission (DCT) shift sequencing system includes a shift type module that determines a shift type based on a scheduled gear and a current attained gear of a DCT. A shift sequence module determines a sequence index based on the shift type. A sequencing module generates a fork command signal and a clutch command signal based on a first sequencing table corresponding to the sequence index. A shift abort module may be included to terminate an ongoing shift and to transition to an updated shift. A fork control module controls fork shifting in the DCT based on the fork command signal. A clutch control module controls clutch engagement in the DCT based on the clutch command signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventors: Claes Magnus Ostberg, Xuefeng Tim Tao
  • Patent number: 8428837
    Abstract: When a predetermined time has passed without detection of engine stall and without detection of the neutral state and without detection of a vehicle starting operation, in a first control state in which a clutch is in a disengaged state, a clutch control system effects transition to a second control state in which transition to a third control state is permitted. When a vehicle starting operation is detected in the second control state B in which the clutch is in the disengaged state, a liquid pressure modulator is driven to effect transition to the third control state in which the clutch is put in the engaged state or a partially engaged state. When an engine stall or the neutral state is detected in the second control state, transition to the first control state A is effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Akihiko Tomoda
  • Publication number: 20130090819
    Abstract: A power-assisted bicycle includes a bicycle body with a power assistance provider and a derailleur, a microcomputer, a gear-shift control driver, and sensors. When the microcomputer decides to perform gear shifting, it controls the power assistance provider to provide an assistant power output and the gear-shift control driver to drive the derailleur to shift gears properly subject to a before-shifting time period, an in-shifting time period and an after-shifting time period. Further, the microcomputer controls the power assistance provider to change the current assistant power to a predetermined low assistant power during the before-shifting time period, or to maintain the predetermined low assistant power during the in-shifting time period, or to change the assistant power output to a level higher than the current assistant power and then to return to the said current assistant power after the end of the after-shifting time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventor: Chi-Chang CHENG
  • Patent number: 8412426
    Abstract: Improved methods for executing a clutch-to-clutch quasi-asynchronous shift in a hybrid transmission, and a hybrid transmission using the same, are presented herein. The method includes: pre-filling the on-coming clutch; determining if the shift is completed using the on-coming or off-going clutch; slipping the off-going clutch first if the shift operation uses the off-going clutch; determining on-coming clutch slip speed and acceleration profiles; determining if the on-coming clutch is filled and whether the slip sign is correct; if using the off-going clutch, locking the on-coming clutch and exhausting the off-going clutch if the on-coming clutch is filled and the slip sign is correct; if using the on-coming clutch, determining whether the on-coming clutch slip is less than a slip threshold and exhausting the off-going clutch if the on-coming clutch is filled and the slip sign is correct; and locking the on-coming clutch if the slip is less than the slip threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Jy-Jen F. Sah
  • Publication number: 20130080001
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an engine speed module and a downshift indicator module. The engine speed module determines an engine speed when a clutch is engaged with a dual mass flywheel. The downshift indicator module generates a downshift indicator signal when the engine speed is less than a first speed, the downshift indicator signal indicating when to downshift a manual transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: William L. Cousins, James M. Partyka
  • Publication number: 20130060436
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a selected gear module and a shift indicator module. The selected gear module determines a selected gear of a manual transmission. The shift indicator module monitors vehicle speed and the selected gear and generates a shift indicator signal based on the vehicle speed and the selected gear, the shift indicator signal indicating when to shift to one of first gear and reverse gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: William L. Cousins, James M. Partyka
  • Patent number: 8392083
    Abstract: A method for controlling a twin clutch transmission including at least two partial drive trains, each of which is coupleable to a combustion engine using a clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Erhard Hodrus, Juergen Eich
  • Patent number: 8392079
    Abstract: Damping control, by which an engine is controlled to output torque for reducing up-and-down vibrations such as pitching and bouncing of a vehicle, is performed. When the damping control is interrupted, the behavior of engine torque after the damping control is interrupted is predicted. Shift of an automatic transmission is controlled in accordance with the predicted behavior of the engine torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Oda, Atsushi Ayabe, Tomohiro Asami
  • Patent number: 8380408
    Abstract: A speed change control system for an industrial vehicle includes: a speed ratio detecting unit that detects a speed ratio of speeds of an input shaft and of an output shaft of a torque converter; a torque converter speed ratio-based speed changer that shifts up or shifts down a speed stage of a transmission 3 in response to the detected speed ratio; a vehicle speed detection unit that detects a speed of the vehicle; a mode selection unit that selects any one of an L-mode and an H-mode; and a speed change control unit that permits an upshift provided that the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a first predetermined value when the L-mode is selected whereas permits the upshift provided that the vehicle speed is higher than another predetermined value which is larger that the predetermined value when the H-mode is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hyodo, Tetsuji Tanaka, Eiichi Sakai, Nobuhiro Suzuki, Koji Takano
  • Patent number: 8374760
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for efficiently controlling an automatic transmission in an electric vehicle. The method may be implemented by selection of one of at least two belt clutches having different ratios. The timing for disengagement and engagement of each clutch and the proper sequencing of the disengagement and engagement of the clutches is determined to optimize the efficiency of the transmission. A direct drive motor is directly coupled to the transmission's output shaft to provide momentary power to maintain a nearly constant rate of acceleration during shifting. The method may further be applied for shifting an electric vehicle with a first motor coupled to an output shaft through a single belt clutch and a direct drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventors: Mark Snyder, Ronald A. Holland
  • Patent number: 8370036
    Abstract: An automatic transmission calculates a current thermal load state of the frictional element, predicts (S24, S31), prior to the start of the shift, a heat generation amount of the frictional element if the shift is performed in the first shift mode, predicts (S25, S32) a thermal load state of the frictional element upon shift completion on the basis of the current thermal load state of the frictional element and the predicted heat generation amount, and either performs (S28, S38) the shift in a second shift mode, in which a heat generation amount is lower than that of the first shift mode, or prohibits (S39) the shift when the predicted thermal load state upon shift completion is inside a predetermined region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Tomomasa Ikeda, Hiroki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 8364361
    Abstract: A method for controlling a clutch assembly includes controlling an actual clutch fill pressure using open-loop pressure controls when an active fill phase is detected, and using closed-loop pressure controls when the active fill phase is complete or when an overfill condition is detected. The method supplies the actual clutch pressure according to a second set of open-loop pressure controls when a step in commanded clutch pressure is detected. The method monitors a fill pressure and time during the step, and applies the clutch pressure according to the closed-loop pressure controls when either value equals a corresponding threshold value. A clutch assembly has a piston for compressing clutch disks to initiate a shift event, an algorithm for controlling the shift event, and a sensor for determining an actual clutch pressure during the shift phases. The algorithm switches between closed-loop and open-loop pressure controls in response to different shift phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Bret M. Olson, Robert L. Moses, Randall B. Dlugoss
  • Patent number: 8364357
    Abstract: A shifting point display for indicating shift advice is provided in a motor vehicle having a manual transmission and a control unit for the continuous determination of a current operating point of the motor vehicle. At least one characteristic upshift indication curve or a characteristic downshift indication curve is stored in an electronic memory. An upshift indication or a downshift indication is displayed when the characteristic upshift indication curve or the characteristic downshift indication curve is reached by the current operating point and a currently differently engaged gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerd Kraemer, Alberto Croci
  • Patent number: 8355848
    Abstract: There is provided a hydraulic control device for controlling a hydraulic pressure supplied to a vehicle start-up engagement element in an automatic transmission when a shift lever is moved from a non-drive range position to a drive range position. The hydraulic control device has a target pressure setting section that sets, based on an input torque of the automatic transmission, a target value of hydraulic pressure supplied to the vehicle start-up engagement element at the completion of engagement of the vehicle start-up engagement element and corrects the target value periodically based on the transmission input torque until the completion of engagement of the vehicle start-up engagement element and a hydraulic pressure control section that controls the hydraulic pressure in such a manner that the hydraulic pressure supplied to the vehicle start-up engagement element reaches the corrected target value at the completion of engagement of the vehicle start-up engagement element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Hiromichi Akebono, Osamu Sato, Akio Nonomura
  • Patent number: 8335622
    Abstract: A vehicle device control device includes an automatic drive control device for executing an automatic drive control by controlling at least a driving torque generating device, which applies a driving torque on a vehicle, so that a vehicle speed reaches a preset target vehicle speed, and a shift position determination portion for determining a shift position of a gear lever of the vehicle, wherein in a case where the shift position determination portion determines that the gear lever is set at a neutral position on the basis of a determination result of the shift position determination portion while the automatic drive control is executed, the automatic drive control device controls the driving torque generating device so that the driving torque applied to the vehicle becomes zero while continuously executing the automatic drive control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhito Ishida, Gen Inoue
  • Patent number: 8322247
    Abstract: A shifter assembly for use in conjunction with an electronically shifted manual transmission of a vehicle includes a shift lever, a shift knob disposed on the shift lever, a guide and at least one shifter tactile sensor. The shift lever may be disposed in the guide and is operable to move relative to the guide. The guide includes a pattern of shift lever positions corresponding to specific gear ratios of the transmission of the vehicle. When the shift lever is positioned in a specific shift lever position, a corresponding gear ratio of the transmission may be selected. The at least one shifter tactile sensor may be disposed on the shift knob. When pressure is applied to the shift knob, the at least one shifter tactile sensor may output a tactile signal indicating that pressure is being applied to the shift knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael John Wolterman
  • Patent number: 8311712
    Abstract: A method of operating of a drivetrain, having at least a drive motor and an automatic transmission with at least five shift elements, to improve a shift speed such that during a first upshift or a first downshift, at least one required shift element is prepared such that, when a synchronization point is reached, the successive upshift or the successive downshift can be immediately carried out. The method comprises the steps of requiring, at most, two of the at least five shift elements be disengaged and a remainder of the shift elements be disengaged for each gear for transferring one of torque and force; and one of increasing and decreasing a torque of the drive motor, relative to a torque of the drive motor derived from a driver's wish, during one of the first upshift or downshift and the successive upshift or downshift to assist with an overlapped implementation of the successive upshifts or the successive downshifts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Christian Popp
  • Patent number: 8301350
    Abstract: In a control apparatus of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, there is a failsafe control that blocks power transmission from a drive source to drive wheels by releasing clutches of an automatic transmission when there is a shift switching failure. In consideration of the fact that when a working oil temperature of the automatic transmission is low (below the freezing point, for example), the viscosity of the working oil is high and response for power blocking is poor, in a case where an oil temperature at the time of a shift switching request is low (steps ST2 and ST3), the power transmission is blocked by releasing the clutches of the automatic transmission at the same time as the shift switching request (step ST11). Thus, a clutch release delay occurring when there is a shift switching failure at a low oil temperature is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Inoue, Naoki Nishimura, Tsuyoshi Sato
  • Patent number: 8265840
    Abstract: A control device for an automatic transmission is disclosed wherein a shift point depending on a variation in vehicle acceleration is modified on a real time basis in accordance with not only a corrected result on a shift point depending on piece-to-piece variations of automatic transmissions, but also actual acceleration for shortening a time required for learning with high precision with no need to be matched. Shift point real-time modifying means is provided for modifying the altered shift point based on a value of a ratio between a value of actual engine-rotation acceleration at an upshift-determining timing during a power-on running and a value of reference engine-rotation acceleration obtained by substituting a value of actual engine-rotation acceleration to a value for a reference running state having no impact on acceleration of a vehicle, and a target maximum engine rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Watanabe, Masato Kaigawa, Ichiro Kitaori, Masakazu Owatari
  • Patent number: 8255133
    Abstract: An improper gear shift timing indicator system for a manual transmission vehicle. The system includes a gear position detector for detecting gear position information and a control unit in communication with the gear position detector. The control unit is configured to detect a gear shift event based on a change in the gear position information. The control unit measures elapsed time during the gear shift event and compares the elapsed time with a threshold value, which is based on various vehicle operating parameters and the given gear shift event. A signal system is in communication with the control unit and the control unit causes the signal system to provide a signal to a driver of the vehicle when the elapsed time of the gear shift event is less than the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel S. Ahn
  • Patent number: 8255134
    Abstract: An adaptive cruise control system for a vehicle includes a deceleration module, a downshift trigger module, and a shift module. The deceleration module determines a deceleration rate based on a speed of at least one of the vehicle and an engine of the vehicle. The downshift trigger module generates a threshold signal based on the deceleration rate. The shift module generates a downshift signal when the speed is less than the threshold signal and while the vehicle is operating in a manual transmission mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventors: Patrick J. O'Leary, Barbara A. Shuler
  • Patent number: 8249788
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an information method for a manual transmission vehicle that provides information for inducing stepping on an accelerator pedal for economical driving of a manual transmission vehicle and provides information for inducing changing a shift stage for the economical driving by using a driving performance guidance map showing a fuel consumption rate area in accordance with BSFC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Kwonhee Han, Hyeonsoo Kim, Dongjin Shin, Sungyun Kim, Kyuho Kim
  • Patent number: 8249782
    Abstract: A method for electronically controlling a bicycle gearshift and a bicycle electronic system perform gearshifting. To perform this gearshifting, a displacement of an actuator from a current position (P) to a position (P1, PN) of engagement of a chain on an extreme toothed wheel of a gearshift group is started (203,205), a destination toothed wheel (PT) of the gearshift group is subsequently preselected (208), and the displacement is subsequently stopped (210) when the actuator is in a position (PT) of engagement of the chain on the destination toothed wheel (PT) of the gearshift group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Federico Miglioranza
  • Publication number: 20120203434
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a thermal management system and method that can recommend operational behavior to an operator of an engine system to optimize fuel economy over a period of time in which a components of the engine system is in a warm up and/or regeneration state. In one representative embodiment, the expected temperature change of the engine component at a later time is determined based on inefficient operation of the engine, such as a transmission down shift resulting in higher engine speed and lower engine torque, and the expected temperature change of the engine component resulting from operating the engine under current conditions or expected conditions at that later time is determined. A determination is made as to whether the inefficient engine operation is the optimal operation in view of fuel economy and a recommendation is generated for the operator based if optimal operation is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
    Inventors: Vivek A. Sujan, Phani Vajapeyazula, Kenneth Follen, An Wu, Barty L. Moffett
  • Patent number: 8224543
    Abstract: A shift position detecting device comprises a shift position sensor that continuously issues an output data that represents a shift position of the gear selection mechanism; and a control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 8219293
    Abstract: In gear shift control apparatus and method for an automatic transmission, a first frictional engagement element is, in turn, released, a second frictional engagement element is, in turn, engaged to perform the gear shift to another gear stage, a command hydraulic pressure to the second frictional engagement element is temporarily reduced when a parameter indicating a degree of progress of the gear shift detected during the gear shift to the other gear stage has reached to a predetermined value representing an inertia phase finish immediate prior region at a time of an inertia phase developed during a replacement gear shift, an reduction quantity of the command hydraulic pressure is set whenever a predetermined time has elapsed on a basis of the parameter detected whenever the predetermined time has elapsed in the inertia phase finish immediate prior region to progressively reduce the command hydraulic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Osamu Sato, Seiji Okazaki, Goh Endo
  • Patent number: 8219292
    Abstract: A method is proposed for blocking inadmissible gearshift processes in a transmission with a plurality of shifting devices which, to carry out a shift process, are moved by actuating devices when a shift command is sent by a control unit (TCU) to the relevant actuating device. The actuating devices are connected for data exchange with one another and with the control unit (TCU) in such manner that the actuating device of the shifting device to be shifted is activated provided that clearance has been given by at least one other actuating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Fuessl, Matthias Reisch, Ralf Dreibholz
  • Patent number: 8214117
    Abstract: A driving force controlling apparatus includes a driving force controller configured to determine a state of a road surface. A driving force controller is configured to control a driving force of a vehicle based on the road surface state. A rear-wheel speed sensor is configured to detect a rear-wheel speed. A low-friction-coefficient road surface determining device is configured to determine whether the road surface is a low-friction-coefficient road surface using the rear-wheel speed on a predetermined condition. A determination prohibition device is configured to prohibit the low-friction-coefficient road surface determining device from determining whether the road surface is a low-friction-coefficient road surface, if (a) the rear-wheel speed sensor is abnormal, or if (b) a predetermined time has elapsed from when a shift range is changed from a reverse range to a drive range and/or (c) a gear position has become greater than or equal to a predetermined gear position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Ishikawa, Makoto Kobayashi, Takahito Fujita
  • Patent number: 8214118
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an automatic transmission including an automatic speed change mechanism that has an input shaft connected to a drive source, an output shaft connected to driving wheels, and a plurality of friction engagement elements, and that performs a shifting operation among a plurality of shift speeds by changing engagement/disengagement states of the plurality of friction engagement elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Murakami, Masaki Nishide, Tatsuya Oba
  • Patent number: 8209098
    Abstract: A method to monitor integrity of a signal output from an operator-manipulable transmission range selector for a powertrain system includes equipping the transmission range selector with a range encoder and a direction encoder, determining a range state and a direction state based upon signals from the range encoder and the direction encoder, determining a discrete position of the transmission range selector based upon the range state and the direction state, and performing back rationality to verify the discrete position of the transmission range selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hanne Buur, Richard E. Robinette, Peter E. Wu
  • Patent number: 8185282
    Abstract: A method for the operation of a drivetrain comprising an automatic transmission, a motor and at least five shift elements in which two shift elements are engaged and three shift elements are disengaged. When carrying out an upshift or downshift, a first shift element is either disengaged or engaged, and a second shift element is engaged or disengaged. While the first upshift or downshift is being carried out, a second shift element is prepared for disengaging or engaging and a third shift element is prepared for engaging or disengaging. Actuation of the second shift element occurs by virtue of a minimum selection of a first alternative or a maximum selection a second alternative. While the first upshift or downshift is being carried out and while the second upshift or downshift is being carried out, at least one fourth shift element is kept engaged or nearly engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Christian Popp
  • Patent number: 8180536
    Abstract: During control of a shift of a first friction engagement element from an engaged state into a disengaged state and a shift of a second friction engagement element from a disengaged state into an engaged state for a gear shift to a first target gear from a second target gear, a desired torque capacity of the first friction engagement element is set based on an actual transmission gear ratio by interpolation from values of the desired torque capacity corresponding to at least first and second reference transmission gear ratios, wherein the first reference transmission gear ratio is a transmission gear ratio at start of an inertia phase of the shift control. When the first reference transmission gear ratio is between the actual transmission gear ratio and the second reference transmission gear ratio, the desired torque capacity is set to the value corresponding to the first reference transmission gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Masami Suzuki, Goh Endo
  • Patent number: 8150587
    Abstract: An ECU is configured to disengage a clutch by driving a motor upon detection of starting of a shift operation, and to engage the clutch upon detection of completion of the shift change. The shift operation starting detection is detected upon determination that an operational force given to a shift pedal is equal to or more than a predetermined operational force, and the shift change completion detection is detected upon determination that a rotational angle of a shift drum from a shift gear position before a shift gear operation becomes equal to or more than a first predetermined angle. The shift operation starting detection is also detected upon determination that the rotational angle of the shift drum from a shift gear position before a shift gear operation is a second predetermined angle or more which is smaller than the first predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ahihiko Tomoda, Kanau Iwashita, Yoshihisa Ieda, Koshi Hayakawa