Adaptive Control Patents (Class 701/68)
  • Patent number: 8244420
    Abstract: If an accelerator pedal is released, when a flag indicates 1, a vehicle travels in a traveling environment reflected operation mode where an engine and two motors are controlled in a manner that a required torque is output to a drive shaft while the engine is operated by the motor. If a vehicle speed is equal to or lower than a threshold at the time or after the flag is changed from 1 to 0, the vehicle travels in a normal operation mode where the engine and two motors are controlled in a manner that the required torque is output to the drive shaft with engine rotation stopped. If the vehicle speed is higher than the threshold when the flag is changed from 1 to 0, the vehicle travels in the traveling environment reflected operation mode until the vehicle speed becomes equal to or lower than the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Shimohira, Ryo Shimizu, Hideki Furuta
  • Publication number: 20120203406
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle has a first mode in which slippage of a clutch between an electric motor and a driving wheel is allowed and controlled by rotational speed control of the electric motor and a second mode in which the slippage of the clutch is allowed and controlled by rotational speed control of an engine. When the vehicle is stationary in the first mode, a controller reduces a control setpoint of hydraulic pressure of the clutch from an initial point. The controller identifies a reference point of the control setpoint with which actual output torque of the electric motor becomes unchanged with respect to the reduction of the control setpoint. Then, the controller increases the control setpoint from the reference point at a higher gradient and then a lower gradient, and then sets the control setpoint to a corrected point below the initial point and above the reference point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Hiromichi AKEBONO, Hideharu YAMAMOTO, Kota MIURA, Hisashi SAITO
  • Patent number: 8239107
    Abstract: In order to achieve a comfortable starting process with low wear, a braking torque, set by the driver by way of a brake pedal, an acceleration torque, requested by the driver via the accelerator pedal, and a holding torque, required for holding a motor vehicle on a gradient, are determined, and the engagement of the starting clutch, as well as the release of the service brake, are coordinated such that during the release of the service brake, the sum of the clutch torque and braking torque corresponds to the holding torque, and the clutch torque of the starting clutch is increased by the acceleration torque only when the service brake has been largely released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Roland Mair
  • Patent number: 8234050
    Abstract: A method for controlling slip across a torque limiting clutch includes determining a driveline slip threshold. A cut-off temperature is determined based on at least one of a clutch temperature, a steering wheel input and a vehicle speed. A driveline slip is determined. At least of a spark retardation and a throttle cut-off is initiated when the clutch temperature is greater than the cut-off temperature and the driveline slip is greater than the driveline slip threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Burns, Sankar K. Mohan, Anupam Sharma
  • Publication number: 20120191310
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a desired pressure module, a valve actuation module, a filter module, and a capacity detection module. The desired pressure module selectively generates an increase in a desired pressure of hydraulic fluid for a clutch of an automatic transmission. The valve actuation module actuates a solenoid valve based on the desired pressure. The solenoid valve supplies hydraulic fluid to a regulator valve, and the regulator valve supplies hydraulic fluid to the clutch. The filter module filters an acceleration of a shaft of the automatic transmission to generate a filtered acceleration. The capacity detection module indicates whether the clutch reached torque carrying capacity based on the filtered acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Matthew D. Whitton, Timothy R. Stockdale, Amanda P. Igel, Nathaniel E. Wilke
  • Patent number: 8224544
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to control an electro-mechanical transmission is provided, selectively operative in a plurality of fixed gear modes and continuously variable modes, and comprising first and second electrical machines and hydraulically-actuated clutches. Included is launching a vehicle so equipped, comprising operating the electro-mechanical transmission in a continuously variable mode to transmit motive torque from the first electrical machine to the driveline, and, selectively increasing an operating speed of the engine and selectively actuating a second clutch to transmit motive torque generated by the second electrical machine when an operator torque request exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jy-Jen F. Sah, Anthony H. Heap, Gregory A. Hubbard
  • Patent number: 8219295
    Abstract: An engaging-force control apparatus for a friction-engagement element controls a slip rotational speed between an input-side rotational speed and an output-side rotational speed of the friction-engagement element by increasing or decreasing an engaging force of the friction-engagement element. The engaging-force control apparatus includes an engaging-force feedback control section configured to control the engaging force of the friction-engagement element to bring the slip rotational speed of the friction-engagement element closer to 0 by way of feedback control; and an engaging-force restricting section configured to restrict the engaging force of the friction-engagement element to prevent the engaging force from exceeding a minimum engaging-force value necessary to maintain the slip rotational speed at 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Tomoko Oue, Morimasa Yamawaki
  • Publication number: 20120158265
    Abstract: A method for opening of an automatically controlled clutch (106) of a vehicle which comprises a combustion engine (101) for generating driving force intended for transmission to at least one powered wheel (113, 114) via the clutch and a gearbox (103). The method includes opening the clutch at an initial rate to at least a first position substantially corresponding to a position at which the clutch can at most transmit the maximum torque which the combustion engine can deliver at idling speed, and from the first position, opening the clutch at a second rate which is lower than the initial rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventor: Peter Juhlin-Dannfelt
  • Publication number: 20120158224
    Abstract: An example vehicle includes an engine and a motor-generator configured to generate a torque in a first direction. A torque limiter clutch is configured to dissipate a torque in a second direction that opposes the first torque. The torque in the second direction may be caused by a force event. A control processor is configured to detect a possible force event and control the torque limiter clutch in response to detecting the possible force event. A method of controlling the torque limiter clutch includes detecting a possible force event, reducing fluid pressure to the torque limiter clutch in response to detecting the possible force event, confirming the possible force event, maintaining the reduced fluid pressure to the torque limiter clutch if the force event is confirmed, and increasing the fluid pressure to the torque limiter clutch if the force event is not confirmed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ali K. Naqvi, Pinaki Gupta
  • Patent number: 8202200
    Abstract: A clutch control device providing an engagement feeling which conforms to a state of a vehicle without requiring a correction of an engagement position even when a clutch is worn. A clutch control device includes a vehicle state detection part for detecting a state of a vehicle, an actuator control part for controlling the actuator, a target torque decision part for deciding a target friction torque value Tt to be generated by the clutch in response to a time which elapses from a point in time that the engagement of the clutch starts as well as in response to a state of the vehicle, and a target oil pressure decision part for deciding a target oil pressure value Pt corresponding to the target friction torque value Tt. The actuator control part controls the actuator so as to set an oil pressure value to the target oil pressure value Pt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiko Tomoda
  • Publication number: 20120143453
    Abstract: A lock-up device supplies hydraulic pressure to a lock-up clutch when lock-up capacity becomes insufficient with increasing accelerator operation amount during slip control. The lock-up device (1) sets a hydraulic unit pressure command value corresponding to drive source torque so rotational speed difference becomes target slip speed when a variation in accelerator operation amount is in a predefined range, and deriving an estimated drive source output torque corresponding to the accelerator operation amount to set the pressure command value corresponding to the estimated drive source torque so the rotational speed difference becomes target slip speed when accelerator operation amount variation exceeds the range's upper limit, and (2) controls the hydraulic unit to supply hydraulic pressure corresponding to hydraulic pressure command value to the lock-up clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi NAGAMI, Masatake ICHIKAWA, Makoto HASHIZUME
  • Patent number: 8195345
    Abstract: The method for generating an integrated guidance law for aerodynamic missiles uses a strength Pareto evolutionary algorithm (SPEA)-based approach for generating an integrated fuzzy guidance law, which includes three separate fuzzy controllers. Each of these fuzzy controllers is activated in a unique region of missile interception. The distribution of membership functions and the associated rules are obtained by solving a nonlinear constrained multi-objective optimization problem in which final time, energy consumption, and miss distance are treated as competing objectives. A Tabu search is utilized to build a library of initial feasible solutions for the multi-objective optimization algorithm. Additionally, a hierarchical clustering technique is utilized to provide the decision maker with a representative and manageable Pareto-optimal set without destroying the characteristics of the trade-off front. A fuzzy-based system is employed to extract the best compromise solution over the trade-off curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
    Inventors: Hanafy M. Omar, Mohammad A. Abido
  • Publication number: 20120136518
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes a plurality of torque generative devices, a transmission input shaft, and a planetary gear set connecting the torque generative devices to the transmission input shaft. A method to control the powertrain includes monitoring a desired configuration of the powertrain and selectively grounding a gear of the planetary gear set with a selectable one way clutch based upon the desired configuration of the powertrain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, Larry D. Diemer, Chunhao J. Lee, Scott William Heitzenrater
  • Patent number: 8190343
    Abstract: A control system for a dual clutch transmission (DCT) of a vehicle comprises a difference module, a summer module, and a position control module. The difference module determines a difference between a desired position for a gear actuator and a measurement of a current position of the gear actuator. The summer module determines a sum of a derivative of the difference and a product of the difference and a predetermined gain. The position control module controls the current position of the gear actuator based on the sum. The current position of the gear actuator controls a position of a gear synchronizer that slides along an output shaft of the DCT. The position of the gear synchronizer controls coupling of a gear ratio with the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventors: Yue-Ming Chen, Vijay A. Neelakantan
  • Publication number: 20120130574
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission, a motor configured to provide a motor torque to the transmission, and an engine configured to provide an engine torque to the transmission. A torque converter is operably disposed between the transmission and the motor, the engine, or both. The torque converter is configured to at least partially transfer at least one of the motor torque and the engine torque to the transmission in accordance with a plurality of k-factors. The torque converter includes a clutch configured to at least partially engage to change the effective k-factor applied by the torque converter. A control processor is configured to blend the plurality of k-factors and at least partially engage the clutch based on the blended k-factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Shawn H. Swales, Hong Yang, Amanda Luedtke, Andrew W. Phillips, Joel M. Maguire
  • Patent number: 8180549
    Abstract: A method of controlling a clutch in a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle adapted to perform this method are suggested, in particular resulting in a good starting phase action for supercharged diesel motors. The method comprises the method steps of: setting a clutch torque that is transmitted by a clutch by a plurality of clutch characteristics; determining by a respective clutch characteristic the clutch torque for a particular motor load depending on the rotational speed of the motor; dividing the clutch characteristics into a low speed range and into a full load range; increasing within the low speed range at a constant rotational speed of the motor the transmitted clutch torque with increasing the motor load; and transmitting in the full load range in comparison to the low speed range lower clutch torques at the same rotational speed of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Getrag Ford Transmissions GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Leibbrandt, Harald Schmitz
  • Patent number: 8180537
    Abstract: An engine control apparatus controls an engine rotational speed to a target rotational speed by using a detected input side transmission rotational speed of a manual transmission as the target rotational speed upon detecting a clutch pedal depression amount during shifting being equal to or larger than a first prescribed depression amount, which is equal to or larger than a depression amount corresponding to a clutch disconnect position. The engine rotational speed is controlled to the target rotational speed by using the smaller of a computed transmission rotational speed (based on vehicle speed and gear ratio using a shift position) and the detected input side transmission rotational speed, upon detecting the clutch pedal depression amount during shifting being smaller than the first prescribed depression amount and larger than a second prescribed depression amount, which is smaller than the depression amount corresponding to the clutch disconnect position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Murayama, Masahiro Iriyama
  • Patent number: 8172060
    Abstract: A dynamic pressure control system, such as a transmission pressure control system, is provided wherein one or more of electrical current command signals provided to a pressure control solenoid valve, such as a fast response variable force solenoid pressure control valve, are progressively trimmed in a manner to improve overall system pressure control performance by improving the overall commanded current response. The invention permits use of fast response pressure control solenoid valves and obtainment of in a manner to minimize overshoot and improve steady state accuracy, so as to thereby improve precision pressure control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Saturn Electonics & Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Seid, Hamid Najmolhoda
  • Patent number: 8175781
    Abstract: A control system for a powertrain of a vehicle includes a torque module and a damping control module. The torque module determines a first output torque and a second output torque of the engine. The second output torque is determined after the first output torque. The torque module also determines a torque difference based on the first output torque and the second output torque. The damping control module generates a damping torque in a transmission based on the torque difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Inventors: Scot A. Douglas, Donovan L. Dibble
  • Publication number: 20120109477
    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: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20120109478
    Abstract: The hydraulic control apparatus calculates a target engagement hydraulic pressure of a frictional engagement element, controls the frictional engagement element so that a revolution speed at a driving source side of the frictional engagement element is higher than a revolution speed at a driving wheel side of the frictional engagement element, outputs a command current to a solenoid valve on the basis of a map having a relationship between the target engagement hydraulic pressure and the command current, and decreases the engagement hydraulic pressure when a vehicle speed is equal to or less than a predetermined vehicle speed at which the vehicle is judged to be vehicle stop during execution of the slip control. Further, the hydraulic control apparatus corrects the map so that a variation of the command current with respect to a variation of the target engagement hydraulic pressure is small when decreasing the engagement hydraulic pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Shinya MOCHIYAMA, Hideharu YAMAMOTO
  • Patent number: 8162113
    Abstract: A clutch control system for a vehicle includes an actuator which is configured to control a hydraulic pressure. A timer is configured to measure a time period from a timing at which a hydraulic pressure supply source starts supplying hydraulic oil to a hydraulic clutch to a timing at which the hydraulic pressure reaches a predetermined value. A clutch control compensator is configured to calculate a control compensation value of an amount of operation of the actuator based on the time period measured by the timer. A clutch controller is configured to control the actuator based on the control compensation value and the amount of operation of the actuator using a deviation between the hydraulic pressure detected by the hydraulic pressure detector and a target hydraulic pressure set according to a condition of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Nakagawara, Hiroyuki Kojima, Kazuyuki Fukaya, Takashi Ozeki, Taito Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8155849
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuating device (10) for an automotive friction clutch (12), has a master cylinder (14) whose master piston (16) can be impinged upon with a master force (FG) via an actuating mechanism (18) and can be displaced by a master travel (SG), and a slave cylinder (20) with a slave piston (22) which is hydraulically connected in series to the master piston via a liquid column and is functionally linked with a clutch-release member (24) of the automotive friction clutch. The actuating device may be provided with an adjusting unit (26) may have an adjusting piston (28). The adjusting piston is hydraulically connected in series to the master piston and can be impinged upon with a force and displaced via a transmission (30) that is driven by an electric motor. The actuating device further has a control unit (C) which is used to control the adjusting unit especially subject to a master variable (FG; SG).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: FTE automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Porzel, Otto Kadlac, Norbert Oberlack, Karl Peuker, Geza Zsari
  • Patent number: 8155850
    Abstract: A system for controlling a flow of hydraulic fluid between a hydraulic actuator and a torque transmitting device includes a position sensor in communication with the hydraulic actuator and operable to detect a position of the hydraulic actuator, a temperature sensor in communication with the hydraulic fluid and operable to detect a temperature of the hydraulic fluid, and a flow control device. The flow control devices includes a housing defining a first passage and a second passage, the first passage in communication with the hydraulic actuator and the second passage in communication with the torque transmitting device. An electronic actuator is located between the first passage and the second passage and is operable to selectively control a flow of the hydraulic fluid between the first passage and the second passage. A controller is in communication with the position sensor, the temperature sensor, and the electronic actuator of the flow control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Andrew R Greenwood-Smith
  • Patent number: 8145400
    Abstract: A method of controlling a hydraulic actuator of a friction coupling that includes a pump, which is driven by an electric motor, a pressure line, which contains a non-return valve and which runs from the pump to an actuator cylinder with an actuator piston that acts on the friction coupling. A rapid drain valve has a flow connection to the actuator cylinder and contains a slide that responds to the pressure prevailing on the side of the pump that faces the slide. To optimize the dynamic and static control behavior of the actuator, a control variable is determined for the electric motor from the target pressure and the actual pressure in the actuator cylinder. At least two different control algorithms are executed, depending on whether the difference between the target pressure and the actual pressure is positive or negative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: MAGNA Powertrain AG & Co KG
    Inventors: Albert Kusej, Johannes Quehenberger, Anton Hofer
  • Patent number: 8135523
    Abstract: A method is proposed in which the distance sensor of a friction clutch operated automatically by a clutch actuator is calibrated in the disengaged state, wherein if the calibration is lost the friction clutch is slowly engaged until the friction clutch is in an engaged state, and when the friction clutch is completely engaged the distance sensor is recalibrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Matthias Panzer
  • Patent number: 8131438
    Abstract: A method of controlling an automated friction clutch arranged in a drivetrain of a motor vehicle in the force flow, between a motor and transmission, and the automated friction clutch is designed to be passively engaged by spring pressure and can be disengaged and engaged by a controllable clutch actuator. The automated friction clutch is provided with a path sensor for detecting the clutch actuator travel such that during the operation of the motor a current key point of a torque characteristic, provided for controlling the friction clutch, is determined and used for adapting the torque characteristic. With the friction clutch engaged and without the clutch actuator exerting any force, several values of the actuator travel are determined at intervals from which a current engagement point, close to the actual engagement point of the torque characteristic, is determined and with which the torque characteristic is adapted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Herter, Joachim Staudinger, Rainer Petzold, Franz Bitzer
  • Publication number: 20120041658
    Abstract: A system for determining an angular position of a steerable wheel of a vehicle can include a plurality of sensors and a controller in electrical communication with each of these sensors. The controller can be configured to compare a first data set and a second data set to respective straight path conditions, wherein the first data set includes data from a first set of the sensors and the second data includes data from a second set of the sensors. The controller can be configured to determine a substantially straight path of travel condition when the comparison of at least one of the first data set and the second data set satisfies the respective straight path conditions, and can then associate that data acquired from the steering angle sensor(s) with a neutral position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: STEVEN PAUL TURNER
  • Patent number: 8108115
    Abstract: A vehicle control device including an input member drive-connected to a power source; a mechanical pump; an electric pump assisting the mechanical pump; a drive mechanism transmitting the rotational driving force of the input member to an output member; a fluid coupling between the input member and the drive transmission mechanism and including a lock-up engagement element which receives hydraulic oil discharged from the mechanical pump and the electric pump to operate; a state detection unit that detects the state of the one or more factors that the discharge of the electric pump; and a control unit which executes a first or second control mode, wherein the first control mode permits engagement of the lock-up engagement element if a first condition is satisfied based on the one or more factors, and wherein a second control mode inhibits engagement of the lock-up engagement element if the first condition is not satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Kobayashi, Yasuo Yamaguchi, Shinichi Nomura
  • Publication number: 20120016561
    Abstract: Apparatus (control device) and a method for controlling a torque transmitting device such as a brake, wet clutch, dry clutch (10) during a filling and slip phase is provided, e.g. for coupling a first shaft (12) to a second shaft (14) via the wet clutch (10). A reference profile (52) for a control variable is provided, wherein the chronological progress of said control variable influences the position of a piston (22) for actuating clutch elements (16, 18), Each clutch element (16, 18) is connected to the first shaft (12) or the second shaft (14), with respect to a cylinder (20) of the wet clutch (10), and the control variable is determined during each coupling and a valve (38) for applying a pressure source to the piston (22) is operated, wherein the valve (38) is controlled during each coupling by means of a feed forward closed loop control (54) such that the control variable follows the reference profile (52).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Gregory Pinte, Wim Symens, Walter Verdonck, Mark Versteyhe, Maarten Van Speybroeck, Jan Swevers, Paul Sas
  • Publication number: 20120010795
    Abstract: A method operates a clutch release system of a vehicle having an electrically actuable clutch release unit including a sensor for detecting a position of a release piston, a control unit for controlling the release piston as a function of a detected position of a clutch actuating device, and a sensor for detecting the position of the clutch actuating device. A characteristic curve function describes a relationship between the position of the clutch actuating device and the position of the release piston. The function is taken into consideration during actuation of the clutch release system to obtain a consistent clutch release at a defined position of the clutch actuating device despite progressive wear of the clutch release system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventor: Eduard HILBERER
  • Patent number: 8092343
    Abstract: A method for determining the filling pressure for a clutch and a hydraulic clutch adapted to conduct said method are suggested where clutch linings are brought into engagement against the force of a clutch release spring by a hydraulic pressure system. The hydraulic pressure is controlled such that an engagement point where the clutch linings abut against each other but without establishing a torque transmitting capacity in the clutch can be reached quickly and precisely. The purpose is to achieve a short gear shifting time, but at the same time avoid impacts due to premature torque transmittal capacity in the clutch during gear shifting. A precision shifting mode or a fast shifting mode can be established, compromising speed and torque transmitting capacity depending on the preferred driving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Getrag Ford Transmissions GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Leibbrandt, Stefan Kirschstein, Manfred Henning
  • Patent number: 8090512
    Abstract: A method optimizes a fill event of an apply chamber of a fluid-actuated clutch, and includes determining input values describing the fill event, and then estimating a fill time using the input values. The method includes filling the apply chamber using the estimated fill time (EFT) or within an allowable range of the EFT. The input values can include a command line pressure, command fill stroke pressure, and an estimated viscosity of the fluid, although other values can be used. The input values are processed through a neural network having an input layer, an optional hidden layer, and an output layer. An assembly includes a fluid-actuated clutch having an apply chamber and a controller operable for estimating the fill time required for filling the apply chamber, and for controlling the fill of the apply chamber within the EFT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ming Cao, Chi-Kuan Kao, Chunhao J. Lee
  • Patent number: 8090513
    Abstract: A method of controlling an automated friction clutch in a drivetrain of a motor vehicle between a drive motor and a manual transmission. During clutch actuation, at least one operating parameter of the friction clutch is detected by a sensor and from variation of the operating parameter at least one adaptation parameter is derived for correcting a control parameter of the associated clutch control element. To obtain information about variation of the clutch release force and to improve the control of an associated clutch control element, the friction clutch is fully disengaged with constant control or actuation of the clutch control element. During the disengagement process, the release travel path is determined as a function of release time, and from the time variation of the release travel path, a characteristic value is determined which is used to determine an adaptation parameter for correcting the control parameter of the clutch control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Rainer Petzold, Peter Herter, Franz Bitzer, Roland Mair
  • Patent number: 8073603
    Abstract: An automatic transmission control method in which at least one of a starting clutch, a clutch coupling and transmission elements, for selection as well as engagement and disengagement of a gear step, are determined as a function of respectively existing variables representing the driving situation as well as the driver's wishes can be activated by actuators which are controlled by a control and regulation device. The method comprising the steps of collecting and normalizing the input variable into standard input variables; weighting with weighting factors and summarizing; converting the weighted input variables into intermediate variables; selecting a specific range of values which represents a specific shifting sequence; and implementing the shifting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Norbert Wiencek, Andelko Vesenjak, Thomas Jäger, Mario Steinborn, Ramon Cordt, Peter Herter
  • Publication number: 20110290611
    Abstract: A torque transfer device for a motor vehicle includes a clutch for transferring torque between first and second shafts. An electromagnetic actuator includes an axially moveable armature for applying an application force to the clutch. An actuator control system includes a force sensor positioned within a clutch actuation force load path and is operable to output a signal indicative of a force applied to the clutch. The control system includes a controller operable to control the electromagnetic actuator to vary the force applied to the clutch based on the force sensor signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Hsing Hua FAN, Timothy M. Burns
  • Publication number: 20110288735
    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: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew J. Shelton, Hong Jiang, Chunlin Liu, Zhengyu Dai, Michael G. Fodor
  • Patent number: 8065065
    Abstract: A lock-up control system including a lock-up differential pressure generator and a controller that is programmed to: when increasing a lock-up differential pressure command value with time to establish the lock-up state of the torque converter, switch a gradient of the lock-up differential pressure command value from a first gradient to a predetermined gradient larger than the first gradient when an actual slip rotation speed is decreased to a predetermined slip rotation speed value or less; and switch the gradient of the lock-up differential pressure command value from the predetermined gradient to a second gradient smaller than the predetermined gradient when the actual slip rotation speed exceeds the predetermined slip rotation speed value again after being decreased to the predetermined slip rotation speed value or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsunori Satou, Masaya Kubota, Hiroyuki Takenaka, Kan Yagi, Seiji Totsuka
  • Publication number: 20110282557
    Abstract: An on-demand-type drive state control apparatus for a vehicle is provided. In the case where acceleration slippage occurs at drive wheels (rear wheels) of a vehicle when a drive system is in a two-wheel drive state, the drive system is switched from the two-wheel drive state to a four-wheel drive state. That is, the maximum transmittable torque of a multi-disc clutch mechanism increases from “0” to a predetermined value. In the four-wheel drive state, the maximum transmittable torque decreases stepwise from the present value by a predetermined value every time the vehicle travels over a predetermined distance in a state in which none of the wheels cause acceleration slippages. That is the clutch drive current supplied to the multi-disc clutch mechanism decreases gradually (stepwise or in a plurality of steps), and the drive torque distributed to the front wheels (rear wheels) decreases (increases) gradually.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicants: Jtekt Corporation, Aisin Al Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutaka KOBAYASHI, Yoshiyuki Aoyama, Takeshige Miyazaki, Akihiro Ohno, Ryohei Shigeta, Tomoaki Kato, Go Nagayama
  • Patent number: 8050835
    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: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Wilson, Charles F. Long, Travis A. Brown
  • Publication number: 20110264344
    Abstract: A lockup clutch control apparatus controls slippage of a lockup clutch to a desired slippage by manipulating clutch engagement force of the lockup clutch, wherein an engine is provided with a supercharger, and a torque converter is disposed between the engine and an automatic transmission, and provided with the lockup clutch. The lockup clutch control apparatus includes a controller configured to: set the clutch engagement force based on a measured value of torque inputted to the lockup clutch; determine whether the engine is operating in a predetermined supercharger lag region in which the measured value deviates from an actual value of the torque; and perform a first operation of correcting the clutch engagement force by reducing the clutch engagement force in response to determination that the engine is operating in the supercharger lag region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Morimasa YAMAWAKI
  • Patent number: 8046144
    Abstract: The present disclosure utilizes Non-linear Proportional and Derivative (NLPD) control on a duty cycle of an applying clutch for stationary and rolling vehicle garage shifts. The applying clutch can be engaged by as electrically activated solenoid valve, and the present disclosure utilizes NLPD control to adjust the duty cycle of the solenoid to provide a smooth vehicle garage shift engagement. The present disclosure utilizes a control algorithm based on turbine speed, turbine acceleration, and output speed. The present disclosure can utilize an existing vehicle control unit, such as an engine control unit (ECU), transmission control unit (TCU), or the like, to receive turbine speed measurements, to calculate the solenoid duty cycle using NLPD control on the turbine speed acceleration error, and to adjust the solenoid driver on the solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Gary Lowe, Libo Fan
  • Patent number: 8046143
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program including: a step of detecting a turbine revolution speed, a step of detecting an engine torque TE, a step of detecting a speed change ratio, a step of setting a range an enlarged slip region when a slip region enlargement condition is satisfied, and a step of enlarging the slip region toward a lock-up region side (high-load side).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuaki Nakamura, Hiromichi Kimura, Shun Minaki, Koji Oshima, Tomohiro Asami, Takahiro Kondo
  • Publication number: 20110257857
    Abstract: A control system includes a pressure control solenoid and a flow control solenoid having an input in fluid communication with the pressure control solenoid. A piston adjusts a position of a shift fork and includes a first area in fluid communication with the pressure control solenoid and a second area in fluid communication with the flow control solenoid. A fork sensor senses a position of a shift fork. A slip sensing module estimates slip acceleration between an input shaft and a gear. A flow determining module generates a flow command for the flow control solenoid. A sync control module determines a slip acceleration profile including an estimated slip acceleration, adjusts the estimated slip acceleration based on the measured slip acceleration, and generates a pressure command for the pressure control solenoid based on the adjusted slip acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Jay Weingartz, Steven P. Moorman, Xuefeng Tim Tao, Chinar S. Ghike, Andreas Gustavsson
  • Patent number: 8041489
    Abstract: A method for controlling a transmission in a motor vehicle during acceleration from an idle condition begins when the vehicle is stationary, the engine is at idle, and the transmission is in the first gear range or ratio. When the vehicle begins to accelerate, the method includes the steps of monitoring the rate of vehicle acceleration and comparing the rate of vehicle acceleration to a rate of vehicle acceleration threshold. If the rate of vehicle acceleration is less than the acceleration threshold, then the transmission allows one of the currently engaged clutches to slip. This clutch slip reduces the torque load on the engine. The method then monitors the engine output speed. If the engine output speed exceeds an engine output speed threshold, then the clutch is fully applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: William J. Wegeng, Peter Edwin Swingler, Edmond M. Etchason, Barry Lewis Ladd
  • Patent number: 8036800
    Abstract: A method for operating a control unit, such a control unit, and a computer program and computer program product for implementing the method are provided. In this context, the control unit is able to assume multiple states, a transition state being interposed during the transition from a first state to a second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus-Gerd Meyer, Johannes Wehle, Sven Gnutzmann, Roland Noller, Dieter Buchholz, Holger Broede
  • Publication number: 20110246038
    Abstract: A method for correcting an actuator characteristic of a clutch actuator for a friction clutch of a vehicle transmission after the commissioning thereof. The actuator characteristic relates a first desired variable, such as a desired clutch pressure, to a second desired variable, such as an desired actuator current. The method comprises the steps: approaching a quasi-steady-state operating point of the friction clutch; detecting a deviation between the first desired variable and an actual variable of the friction clutch; and setting up a correction function for the actuator characteristic according to the deviation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: GETRAG Getriebe- und Zahnradfabrik Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG
    Inventors: Ralf Trutschel, Thorsten Stepper, Andreas Pawlenka
  • Publication number: 20110246037
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure control apparatus for a lockup clutch of a fluid transmission device. In a spool of the lockup relay valve, switching to a position on an engaging side (right half position) for engaging a lockup clutch is achieved by a signal pressure being input from a linear solenoid valve to a hydraulic oil chamber, and switching to a position on a releasing side (left half position) for releasing the lockup clutch is achieved by an urging member such as a spring force of a spring. Since the response is low with the switching by the spring force, the state of a vehicle is sensed by a sensor and, if quick release of the lockup clutch is necessary, a signal pressure from a solenoid valve is input to a hydraulic oil chamber to apply the spring force, and assists with a hydraulic pressure, thereby switching the spool to the releasing side. Accordingly, the response when the lockup relay valve is switched from the engaging side to the releasing side is enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya SHIMIZU, Kenichi Tsuchida, Kazunori Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20110238276
    Abstract: First and second clutches correspond to systems which include “first gear” and “second gear,” respectively. When the temperature of the first clutch at the time of start of the vehicle is lower than a first temperature, only the first clutch is used as a start clutch for driving the vehicle. When the temperature of the first clutch is not lower than the first temperature but is lower than a second temperature, both the first and second clutches are used as the start clutch. When the temperature of the first clutch is equal to or higher than the second temperature, only the second clutch is used as the start clutch. Thus, the higher the temperature of the first clutch, the smaller the load acting on the first clutch. When the temperature of the second clutch is high, engine torque is reduced, and a warning is issued.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Aisin Al Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu TSUJIMURA, Takeshige Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 8024098
    Abstract: A method of determining an engagement position of a clutch of a vehicle is provided. The clutch is operable by a clutch pedal adapted to move over a travel range. The method comprises determining a rate of change of position of the clutch pedal, locating a dwelling range of the clutch pedal, the dwelling range comprising a plurality of positions of the clutch pedal along the travel range during which the rate of change of position of the clutch pedal is less than a predetermined rate of change for a predetermined length of time, and recording the travel positions of the clutch pedal in the dwelling range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kevin A. O'Dea, Michael P. Turski