Adaptive Control Patents (Class 701/68)
  • Patent number: 8406976
    Abstract: Oil pressure detecting means 150 detects a clutch oil pressure in driving a clutch in its engaging direction against a biasing force of a return spring 12 for normally disengaging the clutch. Stroke end detecting means 140 detects that the clutch has reached a stroke end position where clutch disks are in contact with each other when the amount of change in clutch oil pressure becomes larger than a predetermined value. Clutch control correction amount calculating means 130 calculates a work load generated in the return spring 12 according to the clutch oil pressure detected at the stroke end position and then calculates a control correction amount for the clutch according to the difference between the work load calculated above and a predetermined reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Nedachi, Hiroyuki Kojima, Junya Watanabe, Takashi Ozeki, Yoshiaki Tsukada, Kazuyuki Fukaya
  • Patent number: 8401755
    Abstract: A dynamic model is stored in memory that defines torque transmitted by a lockup clutch in a torque converter as a function of a plurality of torque converter operating parameters. A lockup clutch command to control engagement the lockup clutch is asserted, and thereafter a number of the plurality of torque converter operating parameters are monitored. The model is continually solved using the monitored operating parameters to determine torque transmitted by the lockup clutch over time, and a lockup clutch on-coming capacity signal is produced if the torque transmitted by the lockup clutch exceeds a torque threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey K. Runde
  • Patent number: 8398516
    Abstract: A method for controlling a coast down downshift that is produced in an automatic transmission by disengaging an off-going control element and engaging an oncoming control element, including the steps of determining a first desired pressure magnitude of the off-going control element and a first desired pressure magnitude of the oncoming control element, executing the current downshift using said first desired pressure magnitudes, determining during execution of the current downshift corrections of said first desired pressure magnitudes that occur during the current downshift, determining a second desired pressure magnitude of the off-going control element and a second desired pressure magnitude of the oncoming control element, using said corrections and the second desired pressure magnitude to determine a subsequent desired pressure magnitude of the off-going control element and a subsequent desired pressure magnitude of the oncoming control element, and executing a downshift using said subsequent desired pres
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Smith, Douglas R. Cecil, Michael Tarrant, Vince P. LaVoie
  • Patent number: 8401756
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for controlling transmission clutch system output pressures is provided. A transmission control unit and a pressure control device including an electro-hydraulic valve and a pressure switch cooperate to provide self-calibrating clutch pressure control systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Wilson, Charles F. Long, Travis A. Brown
  • Publication number: 20130066530
    Abstract: A method for adapting a contact point of a clutch in a drivetrain of a motor vehicle, wherein the clutch is moved by an actuator and the influence of the movement of the clutch on a rotating electric motor is evaluated. A method that is simple and quick to carry out, a clutch torque and/or an actuator path close to the contact point is obtained from a characteristic curve of the clutch representing the relationship of an actuator path to a clutch torque and is set at the clutch. Subsequently the associated actuator path and/or the clutch torque is measured from the clutch influenced by the actively operated electric motor, where the clutch torque read from the characteristic curve and the actuator path measured at the clutch and/or the actuator path obtained from the characteristic curve and the measured clutch torque form the current contact point position of the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
  • Publication number: 20130047772
    Abstract: Systems and methods relating to a clutch system for use in controllably transmitting torque from an input shaft to an output shaft. The clutch system has a torque transmission fluid that has a viscosity that changes based on the strength of an electromagnetic field passing through the fluid. A number of sensors are placed at different radial locations on the torque transmission disks to detect the strength of the electromagnetic field. Based on the strength of the electromagnetic field, the amount of torque being transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft can be adjusted. Also disclosed is a distributed actuation architecture that uses this clutch system. The distributed actuation architecture allows for the use of a single drive motor in conjunction with multiple instances of the clutch system to actuate a mechanical linkage, such as a robotic arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO
    Inventors: Alex Shafer, Mehrdad R. Kermani
  • Patent number: 8380411
    Abstract: A clutch control device for vehicle equipped with a clutch actuator driven by a working fluid, wherein secular change in the flow rate control valve for controlling the working fluid is compensated, and the rate of connection of the clutch is correctly controlled by a simple means. To control the stroke of a clutch actuator 110, the clutch control device is provided with a single flow rate control valve 1 that controls the feed and discharge of the working fluid by using an electromagnetic solenoid. A flow rate control valve control device 9 is provided with a learning device 91 that learns the neutral position of the flow rate control valve 1 which shuts off the flow of the working fluid, separately detects the amounts of electric current to a coil 8 of when the rate of change in the stroke becomes zero depending upon the directions in which the valve body of the flow control valve 1 moves, and learns the central point at the neutral position by averaging the detected values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Takei, Yasushi Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Kawanishi
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130032444
    Abstract: A method for controlling an automated clutch (10) that is actuated by a hydraulic clutch actuating system including a hydrostatic actuator (19) whose pressure is detected, comprising the step of using the detected pressure of the hydrostatic actuator (19) to detect and avoid undesired overloading of the actuator (19), of the clutch, and/or of at least one auxiliary device associated with the clutch (10) or with the actuator (19).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
  • Patent number: 8370755
    Abstract: A method comprises receiving a signal containing an environmental cue; correlating the environmental cue to a user interface control element; and generating a user interface control command based on the environmental cue. A device may be controlled by receiving a visual image, processing the image to identify a visual cue, correlating the visual cue with a user interface control, and controlling the device using the user interface control. The visual image may be received from a camera that is part of an automobile, and the user interface control may include a control for a radio to tune to a radio station; a speed control for controlling a speed of the automobile corresponding to a speed sign visual cue; or a navigation system control for controlling a navigation system based on traffic signs. Other variations include an apparatus and computer-readable media including instructions for performing the methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Core Wireless Licensing S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Martin Buecker, Maxim Lobko, Marc Hoffmann, Edmund Coersmeier
  • Patent number: 8364364
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle having a dry dual clutch transmission (DCT) includes a launch condition detection module, a vehicle stop module, and a vehicle launch module. The launch condition detection module detects a launch condition based on whether (i) the vehicle is on an uphill grade and (ii) a driver of the vehicle has requested power via an accelerator. The vehicle stop module stops the vehicle when the launch condition is detected by (i) commanding an on-coming clutch of the dry DCT to a predetermined position and (ii) applying brakes of the vehicle. The vehicle launch module launches the vehicle after the vehicle is stopped by (i) fully engaging the on-coming clutch of the dry DCT and (ii) opening a throttle to a desired position corresponding to the power request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventors: Xuefeng Tim Tao, John William Boughner, Ronald F. Lochocki, Jr., Jonathan P. Kish, Jayson S. Schwalm
  • Patent number: 8364359
    Abstract: In control apparatus and method for an automatic transmission, a gear shift state of a stepwise variable transmission mechanism is controlled to a target gear shift state by releasing a first engagement section according to a reduction in a capacity of the first engagement section and, simultaneously, by engaging a second engagement section according to an increase in the capacity of the second engagement section, in accordance with a torque inputted to the stepwise variable transmission mechanism and, during an inertia phase, either one of the first and second engagement sections functions as a gear shift state control side engagement section and the capacity of a gear shift state non-control side engagement section which is the other engagement section is increased when determining that it is impossible to make the gear shift state follow up the target gear shift state at the gear shift state control side engagement section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Seiichiro Takahashi, Tatsuo Ochiai, Masaaki Uchida, Masato Koga, Ryoji Kadono, Tateki Jozaki, Hideaki Suzuki, Ryousuke Nonomura, Mamiko Inoue
  • Patent number: 8364362
    Abstract: A method for controlling clutch disengagement in a vehicle having an automated manual transmission including an electronically controlled clutch includes 1. sensing at least two brake pedal positions separated in time, 2. performing a differentiation of the sensed brake pedal positions, 3. comparing the result of the differentiation to a first predetermined threshold value, and 4. controlling the clutch to disengage if the result of the differentiation represents a faster brake pedal application than a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Svante Karlsson, Erik Lauri
  • Patent number: 8364363
    Abstract: A power take-off (PTO) control system for a work vehicle equipped with an implement, comprising a hydraulic multi-plate PTO clutch (6) whereby power from the work vehicle is interruptibly transmitted to the implement; a control valve (15) for adjusting an actuating pressure of the PTO clutch; a manually operable clutch operation tool (17, 21) for sending an operation instruction to the control unit; and a control unit (19) for switching the PTO clutch from a disengaged state to an engaged state by controlling the control valve on the basis of the target control characteristics in response to the operation instruction of the clutch operation tool (17, 21). The target control characteristics are generated and set on the basis of the operational behavior of the clutch operation tool (17, 21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Nakamura, Akio Hattori
  • Publication number: 20130024078
    Abstract: The vehicle power generation system includes: a power generation unit, a power supply unit, a clutch mechanism, and a control unit. The power generation unit includes generator, power input shaft, and a power output unit. The clutch mechanism includes a speed increasing unit and a motor controller for attaching the speed increasing unit to the crankshaft or detaching the speed increasing unit from the crankshaft. The control unit is electrically connected to the motor controller, and includes a power generation condition determining unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: KWANG YANG MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventor: Chien-Ping Tseng
  • Patent number: 8352109
    Abstract: A vehicle control device for controlling a vehicle drive apparatus, the vehicle control device configured with a release control mechanism that provides feedback controlling supplied oil pressure to a release side element, and an engagement control mechanism that increases supplied oil pressure to an engagement side element as an engagement element on a side to be engaged in a state that the differential rotation speed is substantially constant. The control device is further configured with a phase determining mechanism that determines if the torque phase has started when a condition that a phenomenon accompanying a change of the differential rotation speed due to increase of the supplied oil pressure to the engagement side element is detected is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohei Tsuda, Yomei Hakumura, Masahiro Asai, Yoichi Tajima, Tomokazu Ito
  • Patent number: 8352140
    Abstract: A method of determining and reducing vibrations caused by a clutch (3) in a drivetrain (1) of a motor vehicle, in which the disturbing vibrations are detected by a control and regulating unit aided by suitable sensors and, if predetermined limit values are exceeded, at least one device is actuated by the control and regulating unit in such manner that the disturbing vibrations are completely eliminated or at least reduced in amplitude. At least one torque sensor (8, 9, 10) is used to detect the occurrence of vibrations in the drivetrain (1) and the torque sensor (8, 9, 10) is used to determine vibration amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Herter, Joachim Staudinger, Rainer Petzold, Franz Bitzer
  • Patent number: 8352136
    Abstract: A vehicle control system for an engine-powered vehicle equipped with an engine and an automatic transmission with a clutch. When a given engine stop requirement is met during running of the engine, the system stops the engine automatically. When a given engine restart requirement is met after stop of the engine, the system restarts the engine and enters a clutch control mode to bring the clutch in the automatic transmission into a slippable state in which the clutch is permitted to slip based on the speed of the vehicle, thereby absorbing the acceleration shock which usually occurs upon engagement of the clutch to transmit engine torque to wheels of the vehicle when the engine is restarted, and the speed of the vehicle is relatively low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Saito
  • Publication number: 20130006489
    Abstract: A method and a system of controlling a powertrain for a hybrid vehicle which is configured to start an engine and use power from the engine even though a starting motor has failed. More specifically, a controller is configured to determine whether the starting motor has failed or not and if the starting motor has failed, a first clutch is engaged to lock a first planetary gear set to start the engine with power from the drive motor. Furthermore, while operating the vehicle, power may be supplied from just the drive motor, just the engine or both even when the starting motor has failed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Sang Joon Kim
  • Patent number: 8340877
    Abstract: An engine speed synchronizer for a manual transmission with an engine clutch, synchronizes rotation of the engine side of the engine clutch with rotation of the transmission side of the engine clutch by engine speed control with reference to operation of a shift lever under condition that the engine clutch is disengaged. The engine speed synchronizer determines whether or not a transmission input speed has started to change in a direction conforming to the operation of the shift lever; permits the synchronization in response to determination that the transmission input speed has started to change in the conforming direction; and inhibits the synchronization in response to determination that the transmission input speed has not started to change in the conforming direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Murayama, Masahiro Iriyama
  • Patent number: 8335624
    Abstract: A pressure sensor detects the change in pressure within a cylinder in a clutch master cylinder in a case where a clutch shifts from a connected state to a disconnected state. The pressure within the cylinder is detected at a time point where a rate of the pressure increase is changed. The position of a rod in this case or the rotation angle of a motor in an actuator is detected as a touch point preparation position. The touch point preparation position is a stage preceding power generated by an engine being transmitted to the clutch. The actuator moves the rod at high speed until the position of the rod reaches the position corresponding to the touch point preparation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Suzuki, Kenji Fukushima
  • Publication number: 20120316742
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a friction clutch, or two friction clutches provided in a double clutch transmission, for transmitting torque provided by an internal combustion engine to a transmission in a motor vehicle. A clutch actuator friction locks friction linings of the friction clutch in an operating mode by specifying an actuation path to transmit the torque provided by the internal combustion engine and to compensate for an extended additional path in the friction clutch from the wear of the friction linings in that the clutch actuator specifies the extended shift travel in comparison to the actuation path, wherein an adjusting process is triggered with compensation for the additional path when wear of the friction clutch exists. To regularly execute in the adjusting process, it is proposed to initiate the shifting path depending on a distance traveled by the motor vehicle since a previous adjusting process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Artur Schlappa
  • Patent number: 8332111
    Abstract: A method for controlling a driveline having a transmission clutch includes locking the clutch before a driveline lash crossing occurs; maintaining a locked clutch during the lash crossing; after the lash crossing occurs, increasing a clutch capacity at a slower rate than a driveline twist torque rate; and after the lash crossing occurs, producing clutch slip by controlling engine torque and clutch capacity such that engine torque exceeds clutch capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander P. McDonnell, Terry G. Feldpausch, Bradley D. Riedle, Jeffrey A. Doering, Peter D. Kuechler, John E. Rollinger, David H. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 8326505
    Abstract: A control system for an electromechanical-braking system provided with actuator elements configured to actuate braking elements for exerting a braking action has a control stage for controlling the braking action on the basis of a braking reference signal. The control stage comprises a model-based predictive control block, in particular of a generalized predictive self-adaptive control type, operating on the basis of a control quantity representing the braking action. The control system further has: a model-identification stage, which determines parameters identifying a transfer function of the electromechanical-braking system; and a regulation stage, which determines an optimal value of endogenous parameters of the control system on the basis of the value of the identifying parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Nicola Cesario, Ferdinando Taglialatela Scafati, Olga Scognamiglio
  • Patent number: 8326503
    Abstract: When deceleration lock-up differential pressure learning control is entered and a difference between this deceleration lock-up differential pressure instruction value and a disengagement initial pressure of lock-up smooth off control becomes smaller than prior to deceleration lock-up differential pressure learning control, the disengagement initial pressure PS of lock-up smooth off control is corrected to a low side in accordance with a difference between that deceleration lock-up differential pressure instruction value and the disengagement initial pressure. Furthermore, by changing the sweep gradient of lock-up smooth off control to a small side, and in addition, correcting the disengagement initial pressure PS of lock-up smooth off control to a low side in consideration of disengagement delay of the lock-up clutch pursuant to that sweep gradient change, the actual disengagement time during lock-up smooth off control can be matched with a target disengagement time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sei Kojima
  • Publication number: 20120303191
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a constraint module that generates a plurality of constraints. An output torque module generates a commanded output torque based on a torque request and the plurality of constraints. A split torque module determines a first torque and a second torque to be applied to a transmission of the vehicle based on the plurality of constraints and the commanded output torque. A first one of the plurality of constraints corresponding to a first clutch is adjusted from a first range of values to a second range of values that is different from the first range of values in response to a command to offload the first clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Sean W. McGrogan, Anthony H. Heap, Lawrence A. Kaminsky, Pinaki Gupta
  • Patent number: 8321108
    Abstract: A method of controlling an automobile clutch in an automated transmission system with a CMPC control is disclosed having application to vehicle clutch control in an AMT system. The driver's request is translated in terms of sliding velocity ?sl. Constraints on the engine and clutch actuators are defined to respect their operating limits, and driving quality constraints are defined to guarantee comfort during the clutch engagement phase. In order to meet these quality constraints, a reference trajectory is defined for ?sl as a function of the clutch engagement time. An analytical expression allowing real-time calculation of a set of control trajectories with a CMPC control law is then defined from the expression of this reference trajectory. The trajectory respecting the constraints on the actuators is selected from among all these control trajectories. Finally, the clutch is controlled with the selected control trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: IFP
    Inventors: Paolino Tona, Rachid Amari, Mazen Alamir
  • Patent number: 8321109
    Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a clutch, for example an automatic friction clutch forming part of a drive train of a motor vehicle, for a torque transfer between an engine and a transmission, with the clutch having significant clutch way points assigned to it. For achieving the operational readiness of the clutch over the shortest possible time period, whereby an accurate clutch adjustment is still guaranteed, a clutch way point coordinate system is monitored by checking the point of engagement of the clutch, established through a learning process and having at least a relevant clutch way point for the starting procedure. In case of any recognized change(s), the clutch way point is suitably corrected or otherwise used as is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Rainer Petzold, Peter Herter
  • Publication number: 20120290167
    Abstract: A method to control a clutch in a transmission includes monitoring a frequency response of the clutch including monitoring a response repeating one time per revolution of the clutch a response repeating more than one time per revolution of the clutch. A ratio of the response repeating more than one time per revolution of the clutch to the response repeating one time per revolution of the clutch is determined and compared to a first threshold ratio. A likely shudder condition is indicated based upon the comparing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Mordukhovich, Michael B. Viola
  • Patent number: 8311717
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle drive train, whereby the drive train comprises a drive unit, a transmission, and an all-wheel splitter having an automatically operating clutch, positioned between the transmission and the output. The clutch is operated in a continuous slip mode and in such a way that the all-wheel splitter splits the transmission output torque for variable torque distribution to driven axles. The splitting of the output torque to the driven axles is performed by a control unit, implemented into the all-wheel drive strategy, so that the output torque, less a predetermined nominal torque, is transferred to a first axle, and the nominal torque is transferred to a second axle. When defined operating conditions are met, a limiting of the torque, set by the drive unit, and/or the nominal torque, set by the all-wheel strategy, occurs to avoid a thermal overloading of the clutch of the all-wheel splitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Wilfrid Eberhard, Gerhard Hermann Martin
  • Patent number: 8311715
    Abstract: A method for monitoring frictional engagement in an automatic or automated motor vehicle transmission having a hydrodynamic starter element when the transmission is in a preset neutral or parking position and the automatic or automated motor vehicle transmission controlled by this method. When the motor vehicle is at or close to a standstill in a preset neutral or parking position, the current transmission rotational input speed and a current engine rotational speed of the drive motor are determined and based on the speed ratio between the current transmission rotational input speed and the current engine rotational speed an error is found to be present if the speed ratio is less than a predefined threshold value, which is less than/equal to 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Georg Gierer, Christian Popp, Thilo Schmidt, Klaus Steinhauser
  • Patent number: 8306715
    Abstract: A controller has a command section, a control section, a time measurement section, and a command fixing section. The command section generates a command regarding the actuation state of a lock-up clutch in accordance with a condition value that is determined by the accelerator operating amount and the vehicle speed. The time measurement section starts to measure time when the accelerator operating amount drops to 0 with the current condition value maintained in a hysteresis range and the command section generates the acceleration slip executing command. When the accelerator operating amount is increased from 0, the time measurement section stops the measurement of time and resets the measured time to 0. The command fixing section fixes the command of the command section as an acceleration slip executing command in the period from when the time measurement by the time measurement section has started to when the measured time reaches a determination value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoto Moriya, Yoshio Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8306714
    Abstract: A start permission decision section issues a start permission when an engine speed and a throttle valve opening become higher than predetermined values. A clutch-torque capacity storage section stores a clutch-torque capacity reference map in which a clutch-torque capacity is set as a function of at least the engine speed or as a function of the engine speed and the throttle valve opening. A clutch-torque capacity correction section corrects the clutch-torque capacity reference map so that the clutch-torque capacity is proportionally reduced in response to the difference between the engine speed and a start permission speed when a start permission is issued. An oil pressure controlling section connects the clutch with the clutch-torque capacity obtained in accordance with the corrected clutch-torque capacity map to start the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Nedachi, Hiroyuki Kojima, Kazuyuki Fukaya, Takashi Ozeki, Taito Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8296026
    Abstract: In a control apparatus for a powertrain that includes an automatic transmission, occurrence of slip in a one-way clutch is determined when one gear is formed if a first rotation member and a second rotation member of the one-way clutch rotate relatively. If slip in the one-way clutch is detected, it is determined whether the rotational speed difference between the first rotation member and the second rotation member has increased. If the rotational speed difference between the first rotation member and the second rotation member has increased when slip is detected in the one-way clutch, a control is executed to engage a predetermined frictional engagement element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Maeda, Hideharu Nohara, Toshinari Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8296027
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electro-mechanical transmission through an unlocking state of a clutch, the transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine and an electric machine adapted to selectively transmit mechanical power to an output member includes decreasing a reactive torque acting upon the clutch, including overriding torque commands to the engine and to the electric machine, and simultaneously decreasing a clutch torque capacity, including, during a lead period selected according to an engine command reaction time, commanding an intermediate clutch torque command maintaining sufficient clutch torque capacity to exceed an initial reactive torque calculated at an initiation of the unlocking state, and following the lead period, decreasing through a ramp down the clutch torque capacity, maintaining sufficient clutch torque capacity to exceed the decreasing reactive torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Lawrence A. Kaminsky, Jy-Jen F. Sah
  • Patent number: 8296028
    Abstract: If the a rotational speed difference (Ne?Nt) between an engine speed (Ne) and a turbine speed (Nt) when it is determined that a lock-up ON condition (OFF?ON) is satisfied is large, the lock-up clutch is not engaged but torque reduction control is executed to reduce the engine speed (Ne), thus reducing the rotational speed difference (Ne?Nt) (steps ST13 and ST14). Then, once the rotational speed difference (Ne?Nt) has been reduced to the target rotational speed difference (Nslp), the lock-up clutch is engaged (steps ST15 and ST16). In this manner, excessive heating of the friction material of the lock-up clutch is suppressed which increases the longevity of the friction material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Matsunaga, Koji Oshima
  • Patent number: 8290672
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a vehicle, including receiving an operator input indicative of a desired power for at least one predetermined function, and variably controlling at least one pressure-actuated friction slip clutch in a vehicle powertrain in response to the received operator input in order to control a torque transmitted via the friction slip clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventors: Björn Brattberg, Daniel Jansson
  • Patent number: 8287433
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes an engine, a travel mechanism, a clutch, an inching operation member, and a controller. The travel mechanism is configured to cause the vehicle to travel. The clutch is configured to selectively transmit drive force from the engine to the travel mechanism. The inching operation member is configured to be operated to create slippage in the clutch to reduce vehicle speed. The controller is configured to calculate load of the clutch during inching, and to reduce a rotational speed of the engine when the calculated load of the clutch during the inching exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Kishii
  • Patent number: 8290667
    Abstract: A method for the operation of a traveling power take-off shaft clutch connected to a drive motor, in a case of known wheel or vehicle speed, the speed of rotation of the power take-off shaft, electronically evaluated through the speed of rotation of the motor, can be made to agree in ratio with the wheel speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Prebeck, Kurt Schachner, Günter Pilat
  • Publication number: 20120259522
    Abstract: A first torque determining unit determines a value of a torque input to a transmission on the basis of a load acting on a start clutch (12), and a second torque determining unit determines a value of a torque input to the transmission on the basis of a manipulated amount of an accelerator pedal. After the accelerator pedal is manipulated while the start clutch (12) is in a released state, as long as the torque determined by the first torque determining unit (31a1) is less than the torque determined by the second torque determining unit (31a2), the torque input to the transmission is limited to the torque determined by the first torque determining unit (31a1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kanazawa, Takeshi Kurata
  • Patent number: 8285462
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission is operative to transfer torque between an input member and torque machines and an output member in one of a plurality of fixed gear and continuously variable operating range states through selective application of torque transfer clutches. The torque machines are operative to transfer power from an energy storage device. A method for controlling the hybrid transmission includes operating the hybrid transmission in one of the operating range states, determining a first set of internal system constraints on output torque transferred to the output member, determining a second set of internal system constraints on the output torque transferred to the output member, and determining an allowable output torque range that is achievable within the first set of internal system constraints and the second set of internal system constraints on the output torque transferred to the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Tung-Ming Hsieh, Bin Wu
  • Patent number: 8285464
    Abstract: The half-clutch state decision device of the present invention extracts a high-frequency component and a low-frequency component of an engine rotation speed through filtering when the engine rotation speed has dropped while a vehicle is stopped, and calculates a locus length of the high-frequency component and a locus length of the low-frequency component through accumulation thereof. Furthermore, it is decided whether a half-clutch state exists from a relationship between the calculated locus lengths of the high-frequency and low-frequency components. Specifically, it uses a two-dimensional map (FIG. 5) having the locus length of the high-frequency component and the locus length of the low-frequency component as parameters and wherein a half-clutch decision region is set, plots the locus length of each component on that two-dimensional map, and decides whether a half-clutch state exists based on whether that plot point is inside the half-clutch decision region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsuya Tahara
  • Patent number: 8271171
    Abstract: A method for clutch characteristic curve adaptation of an automatic dual-clutch transmission which comprises two sub-gearboxes each with an input shaft connected, via a friction clutch, to the drive shaft of a motor and several gears that are shifted via a friction-synchronized gear clutch. A value of the current touch point of the friction clutch can be determined with the motor running and the gears disengaged in a load-free sub-gearbox. The method includes the steps of starting synchronization of a gear clutch with a defined force of a regulator. Waiting until the gear clutch is synchronized. Engaging the friction clutch of the until the gear clutch is synchronizes. Determination the current touch point from the current synchronous torque of the gear clutch and the current regulating parameter of the associated clutch regulator. Then, adapting the clutch characteristic curve of the friction clutch in view of the current touch point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Markus Terwart, Mario Bühner, Karl Locher, Martin-Joachim Bader, Dietmar Zuber, Olaf Moseler
  • Patent number: 8271170
    Abstract: In a clutch control system for a vehicle having a hydraulic type clutch in the course of power transmission between an engine and a drive wheel the operational response of the clutch is enhanced and the influence of a hysteresis present in oil pressure-stroke characteristic is suppressed. When the clutch is disconnected, a control oil pressure thereof is maintained at a predetermined stand-by oil pressure (allowance compensating oil pressure) P1. At the time of connecting the clutch, the control oil pressure is increased to a predetermined connection oil pressure P2. In bringing the clutch from the connected state into the disconnected state, the control oil pressure is lowered to an oil pressure P3 being below the stand-by oil pressure P1 and being near 0, and is thereafter increased again to the stand-by oil pressure P1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Fukaya, Yoshiaki Tsukada, Takashi Ozeki, Hiroyuki Kojima, Yoshiaki Nedachi
  • Patent number: 8265842
    Abstract: A method for controlling a clutch of an electronic locking differential for a vehicle includes determining either that a speed of the vehicle is less than a reference speed or that a desired state of the clutch is a disengaged state, determining that an angular displacement of a steering wheel from a centered position is less than a first reference angle, and disengaging the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jacob M. Povirk, John R. Saieg, Gary M. Pietrzyk
  • Patent number: 8265848
    Abstract: A method adaptively learns torque converter (TC) slip in a transmission having a hydrodynamic torque converter assembly by setting a baseline TC slip profile, determining an actual TC slip value at different temperatures, generating an adapted TC slip profile by adapting the baseline TC slip profile in response to the actual TC slip values, and controlling the amount of TC slip during a neutral idle (NI) state of the transmission using the adapted TC slip profile. A vehicle includes a torque converter and a controller. The controller calibrates the TC slip during a first transmission state, and controls the amount of TC slip during a second transmission state. The controller measures actual TC slip data points, and adapts a TC slip profile to more closely approximate a natural slip curve of the vehicle in response to the actual slip TC slip value data points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ronald F. Lochocki, Jr., Nicholas C. Jasko
  • Patent number: 8265844
    Abstract: A clutch control device for vehicle is equipped with a clutch actuator driven by a working fluid, and works to correctly control the rate of connection of the clutch by a simple means compensating secular change of a flow rate control valve that controls the working fluid. The clutch control device has a single flow rate control valve 1 for controlling the feed and discharge of the working fluid to change the stroke of the clutch actuator 110. The flow rate control valve 1 has a neutral position at where feed and discharge of the working fluid is stopped. A flow rate control valve control device 9 is provided with a learning device 91 for learning the neutral position. To control the stroke, the flow rate control valve control device 9 corrects the amount of electric current to a coil 8 of an electromagnetic solenoid based on a value learned by the learning device 91 and compensates a change in the flow rate characteristics caused by secular change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Takei, Yasushi Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Kawanishi
  • Patent number: 8260513
    Abstract: A method for controlling creep in a vehicle having no transmission torque converter, includes operating an input clutch of the transmission at a desired clutch torque capacity, using a feed-forward engine torque to minimize the impact on the engine speed when additional load on the engine occurs from increasing the clutch torque capacity, producing a desired clutch slip by controlling engine idle speed, and achieving a desired vehicle speed by controlling the input clutch torque capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew J. Shelton, Hong Jiang, Chunlin Liu, Zhengyu Dai, Michael G. Fodor
  • Patent number: 8251873
    Abstract: A method for actuating a continuously variable clutch such that the torque to be transmitted by the clutch is continuously adjusted either electromechanically via an electromotive drive, hydraulically via a pressure actuator, or electromagnetically via an electromagnetic actuator. The torque transmitted by the clutch is adjusted by utilizing a position-dependent clutch torque specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Robert Zdych, Michael Gromus, Claus Granzow
  • Patent number: 8255115
    Abstract: In a method for controlling an external control type fan coupling device 3, arithmetic processing to determine the rotation speed of fan 4 with a quick acceleration detection signal used as a parameter is carried out at a high frequency than that in arithmetic processing to determine the rotation speed of fan 4 using signals other than the quick acceleration detection signal as a parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazunori Takikawa