Control Mechanism Patents (Class 74/335)
  • Publication number: 20090138163
    Abstract: A method for shifting a gear into a gear position in an automated shift transmission with several gears and an automated shift transmission adapted to perform said method are suggested. Via a shifting fork, a shifting sleeve can be shifted from a neutral position into respective gear positions and reaches on its way a pull-in position where the shifting sleeve is automatically forced in direction of the gear position. It is achieved that the pull-in position is safely reached by checking whether the shifting fork has reached a first threshold value, a second threshold value, and whether it has come to a standstill therebetween. Accordingly, an increased shifting force can be applied. Albeit allowing production tolerances in the transmission, the respective gear position is safely reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventor: Helmuth Bosch
  • Publication number: 20090127060
    Abstract: A compact power unit for a vehicle having a clutch actuator is provided. The power unit includes a clutch actuator and a drive force transmission mechanism for transmitting the drive force of the clutch actuator to the clutch. The clutch actuator and the drive force transmission mechanism are arranged within a casing of the power unit. A drive shaft of the clutch actuator extends in the vertical direction. The drive force transmission mechanism includes a worm shaft coupled to the drive shaft of the clutch actuator, a first solid of revolution including a worm wheel portion which engages the worm shaft, a second solid of revolution which engages a gear portion of the first solid of revolution, and a ball cam. The ball cam converts torque from the second solid of revolution into a force which acts in the axial direction of a slide shaft of the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Yousuke Ishida
  • Publication number: 20090120222
    Abstract: A motor needs to provide a first torque at the time of releasing a shift range from a parking range and needs to provide a second torque smaller than the first torque at the time of placing the shift range into the parking range. Also, the motor needs to provide a third torque smaller than the second torque at the time of changing the shift range from one non-parking range to another non-parking range and needs to provide a fourth torque smaller than the third torque at the time of executing the parking range wall abutment learning. When the parking range wall abutment learning is executed from the parking range, a motor control apparatus controls the torque to the third or fourth torque. When the parking range wall abutment learning is executed from any non-parking range, the motor control apparatus controls the torque to the first or second torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kiyoshi KIMURA, Shigeru Kamio
  • Patent number: 7526975
    Abstract: A gearshifting unit for a vehicle transmission (6) comprising a main transmission part (10) manually shifted by the vehicle driver using a gearshift lever (16) and one range change group transmission (14) shifted by valves (44, 46). The gearshifts are manually preselectable by the vehicle driver using a gearshift lever (16), the same as a power assistance device (74) for shifting the gear steps in the main transmission part (10) and one electronic control device (20) which actuates the valves (44, 46). In a method for reducing the power assistance, a neutral position is detected in the manually shifting main transmission part (10) and once the neutral position is determined, the gearshift begins in the range change group transmission part (14) and the power assistance is engaged with a delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Dieter Fischer, Klaus Späth
  • Publication number: 20090100952
    Abstract: 1. A speed change device for a traveling vehicle comprising: a thrust shaft connected to an engine; a speed change mechanism for changing between a high and a low speed provided to the thrust shaft; a counter shaft for transmitting an output from the speed change mechanism for changing between a high and a low speed; a mechanism for switching between advancing and retracting provided to the counter shaft, the mechanism having a forward-rotation idler gear rotatably supported on the thrust shaft; a speed change shaft for transmitting reverse-rotation power from the counter shaft as forward-rotation power via the forward-rotation idler gear; a driven shaft provided as an extension to the thrust shaft; and a main speed-change mechanism having a driving gear group provided to the speed change shaft and a driven gear group provided to the driven shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichiro Tsuji, Tetsuya Yamamoto, Yoshihiro Mitobe
  • Publication number: 20090105917
    Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a parallel transmission comprising two partial transmissions that act upon a common drive shaft and can be coupled to a drive shaft via one respective clutch. The gear ratio of the parallel transmission can be changed from the gear that is engaged in one partial transmission to the gear that is engaged in the other partial transmission without interrupting traction when the parallel transmission functions correctly by opening the clutch of one partial transmission and simultaneously closing the clutch of the other partial transmission. When a malfunction is detected in the actuator of at least one of the clutches, the open clutch can be closed only if at least one of the following conditions is met: the previously closed clutch is open; or, no gear is engaged in the partial transmission allocated to the previously closed clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventor: Alexander Schweizer
  • Publication number: 20090090205
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control device for controlling the engagement of selected gears of a gearbox for a motor vehicle, which control device comprises a control rod with a respective locking arrangement. The locking arrangement includes a locking element provided with one or more grooves or recesses which each define a predetermined setting position of the control rod. The locking arrangement further includes two locking balls, a control ball and a spring arranged in a hollow space in the control rod. The locking balls are movable radially in the hollow space in mutually opposite directions, perpendicular to the control rod's longitudinal axis, against the action of the spring in order for the locking balls to be brought into and out of engagement with the grooves/recesses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventor: Erik Goras
  • Patent number: 7509885
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a shift inhibitor apparatus. At least a portion of the range actuating assembly is moveable between a range first ratio and a range second ratio. The portion of the range actuating assembly is moveable, at least in part, in response to a fluid pressure. The range chamber is selectively in fluid communication with a vent. The shift inhibitor includes a main section neutral interlock having an interlock chamber. At least a portion of the main section neutral interlock is moveable between a first condition and a second condition. The interlock chamber is selectively in fluid communication with the vent. The range chamber can be exhausted such that the range section is selectively switched from the first ratio to the second ratio. The interlock chamber can be exhausted such that the main section neutral interlock is selectively switched from the first condition to the second condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt Gerlofs, Dave Stevens, Mark Hirsch, Charles Bradley, Michael J. Huggins, Gerard F. Smith, Michael E. Lemon
  • Publication number: 20090078070
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle transmission, the vehicle transmission including a power shift gearbox, the power shift gearbox having a power shift input shaft, a power shift output shaft, power shift input gearing and power shift output gearing, and a plurality of power shift clutches to drivingly connect the power shift input gearing and the power shift output gearing, and a master clutch operable to connect the power shift input shaft to a prime mover, the method comprising the steps of, disengaging the master clutch, and engaging at least two of the power shift clutches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: J. C. BAMFORD EXCAVATORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Leonard EARP, David Allan Wozencraft, Glyn Clifford Price
  • Publication number: 20090078073
    Abstract: The driving force can be transmitted at the time of both acceleration and deceleration in an engaged state where a first engagement face of a strut is forced to protrude inside a cutaway of a gear. The driving force is transmitted at the time of acceleration and the transmission of the driving force can be cut off at the time of deceleration in a one-way state where the first engagement face of the strut and the cutaway of the gear are made either to engage with or to disengage from each other in accordance with the rotational direction of the gear relative to the rotational shaft. The transmission of the driving force can be cut off at the time of both acceleration and deceleration in a disengaged state where the first engagement face of the strut is forced to withdraw from the cutaway of the gear. In addition, the decreasing of the transmission efficiency caused by friction between the strut and the gear can be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Katsumi KUBO, Ryo MATSUI, Kouhei OHSONO, Toshio HIYOSHI
  • Publication number: 20090078072
    Abstract: A twin clutch type speed change control system changes over the gear position by switching between a pair of clutches, to reduce the collision sound generated between a free gear and a slide member at the time of changeover of the gear position. In the twin clutch type speed change control system designed to perform gear position changeovers between odd-ordinal gear positions and even-ordinal gear positions through a process in which an engaged clutch is disengaged whereas a disengaged clutch is engaged, the formerly disengaged clutch is supplied with a minute oil pressure P1 toward the clutch engaging side and is thereby preliminarily moved by a minute amount toward the clutch engaging side, at the time of changeover of the gear position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Yoshiaki TSUKADA, Takashi OZEKI, Hiroyuki KOJIMA, Yoshiaki NEDACHI, Haruomi SUGITA
  • Patent number: 7509197
    Abstract: A retarding system for a work machine having a power source, a transmission, and a manually operated braking mechanism is disclosed. The retarding system has an engine retarder associated with the power source and a controller in communication with the transmission, the manually operated braking mechanism, and the engine retarder. The controller is configured to determine a deceleration rate of the work machine and compare the deceleration rate of the work machine to a predetermined threshold rate. The controller is also configured to determined if the manually operated braking mechanism is active and to cause the transmission to downshift if the deceleration rate is less than the predetermined threshold rate and the manually operated braking mechanism is determined to be active. The controller is further configured to prevent the transmission from downshifting if the deceleration rate is less than the predetermined threshold rate and the manually operated braking mechanism is determined to be inactive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Landes, Mark E. Rettig, Ryan E. Graham
  • Patent number: 7506559
    Abstract: The present invention provides a shift mechanism disposed in a housing for providing operable communication between a shift actuator and a shift sleeve. The shift mechanism generally includes a shift rail, a shift fork, a first biasing member, and a second biasing member. The shift rail is slidably supported by the housing. The shift fork is slidably disposed on the shift rail and engages the shift sleeve. The first biasing member is disposed between the shift actuator and the shift rail for selectively biasing the shift rail in a first direction upon actuation of the shift actuator. The second biasing member is disposed between the housing and the shift fork for biasing the shift fork in a second direction that is substantially opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Swanson, Carl H. Vonnegut
  • Patent number: 7507182
    Abstract: A controller, control method, and control system for a motor vehicle gear-type transmission enable a friction transmission unit to be controlled to an optimum position according to a particular motor vehicle state or the like. A transmission control unit changes, via at least one parameter that indicates a state of the gear-type transmission or of the vehicle, a position or pressure load at which the pressure member is caused to stand by while the driving shaft of the vehicle is in a stopped state or during changeover of the mesh unit that connects to one of the gear pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Matsumura, Yoshiyuki Yoshida, Kentaro Shishido, Tatsuya Ochi
  • Publication number: 20090071275
    Abstract: A parking switching valve includes a spool that is movable to a first position and to a second position. The parking switching valve also has an oil chamber that generates a biasing force from a difference in the pressure receiving area between the land portions of the spool. The oil chamber has a second input port to which a line pressure is input while the spool is in the second position. Because the line pressure is input to the second input port, a biasing force is generated so that the spool is held in the second position against a spring. As a result, a parking device is held in a parking release state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicants: AISIN AW CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuhei Yoshioka, Kazuyuki Noda, Tatsuya Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20090071276
    Abstract: The control system comprises: a first hydraulically-operated actuator device for controlling the engagement of a first set of gears by selection and engagement movements; a second hydraulically-operated actuator device for controlling the engagement of a second set of gears by selection and engagement movements; a first solenoid valve of the ON/OFF type arranged to put the first or the second actuator device alternatively into communication with a supply of fluid under pressure; a second solenoid valve of the ON/OFF type arranged to control the selection movements of the actuator device which from time to time is in communication with the fluid supply; a distributor interposed between the fluid supply and the two actuator devices and displaceable under the control of the first solenoid valve between a first working position in which it puts the fluid supply into communication with the first actuator device and a second working position in which it puts the fluid supply into communication with the second actua
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: C.R.F. SOCIETA CONSORTILE PER AZIONI
    Inventors: Filippo BALDASCINI, Dario Caenazzo, Domenico Mesiti, Gianluigi Pregnolato
  • Publication number: 20090071274
    Abstract: A method for shifting an automated transmission situated in a drive train of a motor vehicle between an engine and a drive axle and having at least one multi-speed main transmission and a two-speed range change group rear-mounted thereon. The main transmission has at least one counter-shaft with an transmission brake. A clutch engages the prime mover and the main transmission and the range change group is shifted via unsynchronized dog clutches, which are combined in pairs in a common shift set having two shift positions and one neutral position such that during a range change gearshift, both in the main transmission and in the range change group, a change between two ratio stages occurs. A range change up-shift and down-shift each include active synchronization of the dog clutch by way of the transmission brake and of the separating clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Josef BADER, Andreas Graf, Martin Miller, Mario Steinborn, Thomas Hafen
  • Patent number: 7503232
    Abstract: A working vehicle is constructed such that rotation power of an engine is transmitted to drive wheels via a main speed-changing device and an auxiliary speed-changing device and that shift positions of the auxiliary speed-changing device are switchable by shift operation of a shift lever. At an operation position for working, shift positions can be switched, by the main speed-changing device and the auxiliary speed-changing device, between numerous positions from a low-speed range to a high-speed range. At an operation position for road traveling, shift positions of the main speed-changing device can be smoothly switched, in conjunction with operation of an accelerator pedal or a throttle lever, only within a high-speed range suitable for road traveling. The shift lever has a switch allowing the main speed-changing device to be shifted one by one to each shift stage in the speed increasing direction or in the speed reducing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Iseki & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouki Ono, Mitsuhiko Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20090056482
    Abstract: A method and a system for effecting a specific transmission ratio in a motor vehicle between a first shaft of a gearbox and that a shaft of a power take-off, wherein rotary motion is transmitted from a first motion-transmitting element on the first shaft to a third motion-transmitting element on the third power take-off shaft via a second motion-transmitting element situated between them. The method and the system are characterised in that the motion-transmitting element is selected with a diameter such that it is situated at a predetermined first between-centres distance from the second motion-transmitting element which is substantially equal to a second between-centres distance (y) between the first and second motion-transmitting elements. The present invention also relates to a bearing bracket which at least partly houses the motion-transmitting element and which is characterised by at least one spacing element intended to be situated between the flange and the gearbox.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Kenneth Hagberg, Dag Nilsson, Hilding Nilsson, Dieter Slapak
  • Patent number: 7497141
    Abstract: A control system of a starting motor for an automatic transmission vehicle includes a starting switch having a plurality of nodes and an ignition key for connecting the plurality of nodes to a battery, a position sensor detecting a shift lever position and generating a pulse width modulation signal corresponding thereto, a shift control module receiving the pulse width modulation signal from the position sensor and generating a starting control signal, and a starting relay electrically connected to the starting switch and the shift control module and applying the battery power to the starting motor, wherein the shift control module generates the starting control signal if the shift lever position is a P position or an N position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Tae Hee Cho
  • Patent number: 7490527
    Abstract: A control system for an automatically shifting transmission is described. A direct upshifting or downshifting starting from the automatic mode is permitted, by using a corresponding programming of the electronic control device when a certain selecting device is operated, without transition into the manual mode taking place. A gear change following this upshifting or downshifting is implemented, corresponding to the shifting logic of the automatic mode. In the case of a multiple operation, multiple direct upshifts or downshifts can also be permitted, without leaving the automatic mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellscaft
    Inventors: Emanuel Fuchs, Frank Gielisch, Cedric Dubreuil, Eva-Farangis Rahimi-Nedjat, Tobias Falck
  • Publication number: 20090038424
    Abstract: Method for shifting a neutral state of an automatic multi-stage transmission of a motor vehicle, where, to engage and to disengage gear stages of the transmission, shift couplings, at least one of which is equipped with a synchronizing device, can be actuated by a transmission actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hans-Jurgen Schneider, Thomas John, Mario Buhner
  • Publication number: 20090038423
    Abstract: A transmission, includes: a shift member, adapted to be moved in a shifting direction and a selecting direction; a plurality of shift lugs, each of which has a pair of first claw portions spaced apart from each other in the shifting direction, and which are arranged in the selecting direction; and a plurality of shift forks, connected to the shift lugs via shift rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventor: Masanori Shintani
  • Patent number: 7487696
    Abstract: A driving force interrupting mechanism for interrupting a driving force to a driving shaft. The mechanism includes a spindle rotatably attached to a first housing body for supporting the driving shaft so that the driving shaft can be rotated, a fork attached to the spindle so that the fork can be swung, and a lost motion mechanism that renders further rotation of the spindle to be ineffective in swinging the fork when the spindle is rotated and the fork is swung to a predetermined position in which an input shaft and an output shaft are coupled is provided on the spindle. The resulting configuration is compact and cost effective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takuya Tagami
  • Publication number: 20090031834
    Abstract: An automatic transmission control apparatus that shortens the time from starting to finishing a shift motion and suppresses overload applied to a shift actuator. A transmission apparatus has a plurality of shift gear pairs with different transmission gear ratios, and a gear selecting mechanism that selects a shift gear pair transmitting power. A shift motor drives the gear selecting mechanism. A shift power transmission mechanism transmits power of the motor to the gear selecting mechanism. A mechanical fuse within the shift power transmission mechanism generates an irreversible state change such that the transmission power becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value if the transmission power exceeds the predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20090031835
    Abstract: A shift control ECU includes the steps of storing a position of a shift lever; starting a count-up timer when the shift lever comes to a neutral position; and recognizing a driver's request for the neutral position when a count-up timer value attains TN(1) if the stored shift lever position is a home position and when a count-up timer value attains TN(2) if the stored shift lever position is not the home position. Here, TN(1) is set to be smaller than TN(2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji INOUE, Yasushi Kobiki, Toshiharu Asai, Takehiro Uchida, Yasuo Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7484429
    Abstract: A closed loop adaptive fluid control system and method for use in hydraulic applications monitors one or more fluid characteristics, such as pressure, flow rate, accumulation time in an actuator, fill volume, etc., and compares the characteristic with a target response. A fluid characteristic sensor detects at least one fluid characteristic at a hydraulically-actuated device that is actuated by a electrically-operated. The sensor sends a device signal corresponding to the actual sensed characteristic to an electronic controller, which compares the device signal with a target response. The controller then identifies any differences between the device signal and the target response and provides a feedback signal to the electrically-operated valve to adjust the current to the valve, which in turn adjusts the electrically-operated valve so that the device signal corresponding to the sensed characteristic at the device converges toward the target response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Scott D. Adams, David E. Herbert, Greg E. Ford, Peter M. Jacobsen, Harold L. Bowman, Timothy J. Green
  • Patent number: 7481128
    Abstract: In a gearshift unit for a transmission of a motor vehicle, wherein a driver of the motor vehicle shift the gears of the transmission by means of a gearshift lever and the gearshift unit has a gearshift power-assist unit to enhance the shift force exerted by the driver of the vehicle, a control device is provided which detects a significant increase in a moment of inertia, in excess of a normal amount, of masses to be accelerated in the event of a gearshift in the transmission and actuates the gearshift power assist unit to assist the shift forces only when no significant increase in the moment of inertia has been detected in order to prevent high shifting forces from being generated when they might lead to damage to the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Daimler A.G.
    Inventors: Frank Steffens, Martin Teutschländer
  • Publication number: 20090013810
    Abstract: A device is provided which eliminates uncomfortable operation feeling, improves the working efficiency, and reduces thermal load on a clutch and transmission shock. It is determined whether the current travel direction of the vehicle body is a forward travel direction F or a reverse travel direction R based on an operation position selected by a travel operation lever, clutch oil pressure of the forward clutch or reverse clutch, and a detected vehicle body speed. Braking force of a brake device is controlled such that the brake device is activated on the conditions that the travel direction position selected by the travel operation lever and the travel direction determined by a travel direction flag are opposite to each other, and the detected vehicle body speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Tomohiro Nakagawa, Shigeru Yamamoto, Mitsuhiko Kamado
  • Patent number: 7476173
    Abstract: A park inhibit solenoid system and system incorporating the same. The solenoid may include a bracket at least a portion of which may be generally u-shaped with a downwardly oriented opening. A generally u-shaped follower is at least partially disposed in the bracket and extendable therefrom. A solenoid may force a roller into a notch formed in the follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Knight Ko
  • Publication number: 20090008206
    Abstract: A transfer case for selectively coupling a secondary driveline with a primary driveline comprises: a first output shaft; a second output shaft; a clutch assembly disposed at the second output shaft, the clutch assembly including inner and outer drum members, one of the inner and outer drum members rotatable in association with rotation of the first output shaft and the other one of the inner and outer drum members coupled with the second output shaft, the clutch assembly further including a plurality of frictional clutch plates, the frictional clutch plates formed of at least one frictional clutch plate coupled with the inner drum member and at least one frictional clutch plate coupled with the outer drum member; an actuator shaft rotatably coupled with an actuator; and a clutch actuator means coupled with the actuator for applying axial force to the frictional clutch plates to transmit a drive torque of the first output shaft to the second output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: WIA Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas C. Bowen
  • Patent number: 7472616
    Abstract: A method for controlling an automated step-by-step variable transmission which has a plurality of gear stages which set up a different transmission ratio in each case. The method comprises the steps: a) detecting whether a gear stage is to be engaged, b) detecting an input actual variable which is substantially proportional to an input rotational speed of the step-by-step variable transmission, and an output actual variable which is substantially proportional to an output rotational speed of the transmission, c) checking as to whether a difference between a ratio of the input and the output actual variables and the transmission ratio which would be set up by the gear stage is smaller for a predefined timespan than a predefined tolerance range, and d) determining a fault state if the difference does not lie within the tolerance range for the predefined timespan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: GETRAG Getriebe- und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG
    Inventors: Patrick Dreher, Martin Seufert, Frank Nageleisen
  • Publication number: 20090000410
    Abstract: In a method for controlling, and a control device of, an automated non-synchromesh multi-speed motor vehicle transmission, wherein, upon selection of a target gear, a form-fitting connection is to be established between shift elements of the target gear, wherein, however, with a certain rotational speed difference between the shift elements which causes chattering, no engagement takes place during actuation of the shift actuator for the target gear, when, upon monitoring, a certain chattering of the shift elements is detected, and, as a result, the engagement of the target gear is aborted in order to prevent the transmission from being damaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Manfred Guggolz, Werner Hillenbrand, David Ulmer, Markus Veit
  • Publication number: 20090000411
    Abstract: A shift range change mechanism changes a shift range of an automatic transmission of a vehicle. A parking change mechanism disables rotation of a drive axle of the vehicle by engaging a park pole supported by a stationary member against a parking gear, which is rotated synchronously with the drive axle of the vehicle, at time of setting the shift range to parking. The parking change mechanism enables the rotation of the drive axle by disengaging the park pole from the parking gear at time of parking release of the shift range. An electric rotatable actuator drives the shift range change mechanism and the parking change mechanism. An SBW ECU controls power supply to an electric motor of the rotatable actuator. The SBW ECU increases an output torque of the electric motor only at the time of the parking release.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seiji Nakayama, Kiyoshi Kimura, Taku Itoh
  • Patent number: 7469610
    Abstract: A park/reverse inhibiting apparatus is disposed within a transmission control mechanism to inhibit movement of a cam plate selected from a forward or neutral position to a reverse position or park position when the vehicle speed is above a predetermined value. The inhibiting apparatus will also prevent movement from the reverse position to the park position depending upon the vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott H. Wittkopp
  • Patent number: 7469611
    Abstract: A transmission structure of a power unit for a vehicle includes a clutch mechanism that is provided between a crankshaft and a main shaft, and is installed at the end of the main shaft outside a crankcase. The transmission includes a shift drum for driving shift forks for selectively establishing any of plural speeds. Both ends in an axial direction of the shift drum are rotatably supported by the crankcase. In the transmission structure, a sealed structure dedicated to the shift drum is not required, the number of parts is reduced and the assembly time is reduced. The shift drum, arranged in the maximum outside diameter of the clutch mechanism when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the main shaft, is assembled in the crankcase from the side of the clutch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Tawarada, Hiroyuki Kawakubo
  • Patent number: 7467563
    Abstract: A switching mechanism of a multiple change-over gear with an axially displaceable and pivoted gearshift lever shaft having a shift finger formed on the gearshift lever shaft with switching wings which are operatively connected with a synchronization and coupling device for wheels supported on a wheel set shaft of the gearing unit, and with cams formed on the switching wings with which the shift finger can mesh for the execution of a process of gear ratio modification and, over the cams, can axially displace the switching wings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Drabek, Jan-Peter König
  • Patent number: 7467564
    Abstract: A system for actuating gear changes in a motor vehicle transmission includes an electric motor including a motor shaft supported for rotation about an axis, first and second actuator drums supported for rotation substantially parallel to the axis, and a drive mechanism including a first power path driveably connecting the motor shaft and the first drum, and a second power path driveably connecting the motor shaft and the second drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Reid Baldwin, David Janson
  • Patent number: 7464617
    Abstract: A control system including: first and second actuator devices for controlling the engagement of first and second sets of gears by selection and engagement movements, respectively; a first solenoid valve arranged to put the first or the second actuator device alternatively into communication with a fluid supply; a second solenoid valve arranged to control the selection movements of the actuator device which is in communication with the fluid supply; a distributor interposed between the fluid supply and the actuator devices and displaceable under the control of the first solenoid valve between a first position in which it puts the fluid supply into communication with the first actuator device and a second position in which it puts the fluid supply into communication with the second actuator device; third and fourth proportional pressure solenoid valves arranged to control the engagement movements of the actuator device which is in communication with the fluid supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: CRF Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Filippo Baldascini, Dario Caenazzo, Domenico Mesiti, Gianluigi Pregnolato
  • Publication number: 20080302196
    Abstract: A shift apparatus includes a shift lever operable to select a first mode of a transmission when the shift lever is disposed at a first position and to select a second mode of the transmission when the shift lever is disposed at a second position, and a base supporting the shift lever. The shift lever automatically returns to a home position after selecting the first mode or the second mode. When moving the shift lever from the home position to the first position to select the first mode, the shift lever is moved in a first direction and then in a second direction which is different from and not directly opposite to the first direction. When moving the shift lever from the first position to the second position to select the second mode, the shift lever is moved in a third direction which is different from the first and second directions and not directly opposite to the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Komatsu, Toru Ishino, Shinji Oka, Shinichi Yone
  • Patent number: 7461569
    Abstract: A device for engaging power takeoffs, primarily used to drive a load from the engine of a vehicle, has an electromagnet with a single winding of small size which is driven by a microprocessor system in PWM mode allowing to differentiate the current intensity of the engaging phase and of the phase of maintaining said engaging. The control system monitors, without the aid of external sensors, parameters such as electromagnet current, power supply and electromagnet voltage, electromagnet winding resistance, electromagnet winding inductance. From these parameters, the system is able to determine the engaging or unengaging position of the power takeoff, and it is able automatically to uncouple if the monitored parameters do not fall within the expected ranges, simultaneously notifying the user of the protective intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: OMFB S.p.A. Hydraulic Components
    Inventor: Amedeo Bianchi
  • Patent number: 7461567
    Abstract: A shift operating apparatus includes a shift and select shaft moved in an axial direction upon a shift operation and rotated about an axis upon a select operation, an inner lever provided at the shift and select shaft, the inner lever being moved in the axial direction upon the shift operation and being rotatable about the axis upon the select operation, a plurality of shift fork heads arranged about the axis along a circumferential direction of the shift and select shaft; and plural shift grooves formed at the inner lever to be open in the circumferential direction of the shift and select shaft. The plural shift grooves are arranged along the axial direction with an interval relative to an adjacent shift groove of each other, the interval which corresponds to an amount of a shift stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Aisin AI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shiro Ogami
  • Publication number: 20080295628
    Abstract: A method for adjusting the gearbox actuation system of an automatic gearbox of a vehicle, whereby at least one reference travel is made with the gear engaged. The invention further relates to a gearbox actuation system for selecting and engaging gears in an automatic gearbox of a vehicle, especially for carrying out the inventive method, whereby at least one reference travel is made for the purpose of adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Klaus Kupper, Klaus Henneberger, Jorg Metzger, Reinhard Berger, Frank Stengel
  • Patent number: 7458917
    Abstract: A work vehicle with a speed change device, comprises, a plurality of wheels including at least one driven wheel; an engine for driving the driven wheel; a speed change device provided between the driven wheel and the engine; and automatic shifting mechanism. The automatic shifting mechanism is capable of operating the speed change device to a lower speed position within an automatic shifting range having a predetermined range and is capable of operating the speed change device up to a speed position which the speed change device was in before an operation to the lower speed position was effected, in response to load on the engine. The entirety of the automatic shifting range is changeable to a low speed side and to a high speed side, or the automatic shifting range can be widened to include more speed positions and narrowed to include less speed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Yoshikawa, Nobuyuki Okabe
  • Patent number: 7460943
    Abstract: In response to an upshift of a gearshift position SP in a sequential gearshift range, the drive control of the invention once lowers the rotation speed Ne of an engine. This variation in rotation speed of the engine enables the driver to have adequate gear change feeling, which is similar to the familiar gear change feeling in a conventional motor vehicle equipped with a stepped automatic transmission. Namely the drive control of the invention effectively prevents the driver from feeling something is wrong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Yamamoto, Yasuhiro Kaya, Kiyoshiro Ueoka, Kensuke Kamichi
  • Patent number: 7454992
    Abstract: Vehicular manual transmission control apparatus is of the type in which two or more selectable shift positions of a shift lever (13) can be varied on the basis of a travel control state (e.g., position of the shift lever) of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a guide section (various shift patterns), which allows shift operation of the shift lever along a given shift path, assigned a high selection priority, to be performed with ease when the lever is to be shifted to a desired one of the shift positions. The guide section is implemented by a reactive force generation mechanism (41) which is in turn implemented by a control device (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Yone, Ken Shibazaki
  • Patent number: 7454993
    Abstract: To provide a drive transmission changer for a dog clutch of a vehicle, which is effective to achieve change of the drive transmission assuredly without requiring any complicated control and which can be assembled compact in size. The drive transmission changer includes a drive motor 1, an output shaft 2 including a shaft body 2a and an eccentric stud 2b, a gear 3 mounted on the shaft body 2a for rotation relative thereto and drivingly coupled with the drive motor 1, a first transmission member 4 rotatable together with the gear 3, a second transmission member 5 mounted on the shaft body 2a for rotation together therewith, and a torsion coil spring 6 operatively coupled between the first and second transmission members 4 and 5 and arranged coaxially with the shaft body 2a for accumulating a drive force as the first transmission member 4 rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jikogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruo Kitai, Hiroyuki Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20080276738
    Abstract: An automatic transmission control system equipped with a shift lever position sensor which includes a plurality of switches which output binary signals following a shifting motion of a gear shift lever. Patterns of combinations of the switch outputs are preselected so as to represent positions to which the gear shift lever is manually shiftable. The switches are broken down into two groups each of which produces a binary code carrying information about the position of the gear shift lever to monitor a failure in operation of the shift lever position sensor. The control system also works to perform a deemed D-position hydraulic transmission control to ensure the running of the vehicle even if the shift lever position sensor is failing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuji Kozaki, Takaji Murakawa
  • Patent number: 7448291
    Abstract: To improve the safety of automated gearboxes, it is proposed that terminal positions of internal gearshift members and external actuation members be so defined separately from each other that one can recognize whether the engagement of a speed is accompanied by the attainment of a terminal position of an internal gearshift member or an external actuation member. Error analysis is possible in this way. For dual clutch gears, it is additionally proposed that one can, at least in gearshift operations that are critical in terms of safety, disengage on speed of a subgear in a separate procedure, before a new speed of this subgear can be engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Frank Stengel, Alexander Schweizer, Martin Zimmermann, Behzad Nazari, Joachim Hirt, Martin Fuss, Matthias Ehrlich, Jens Martin
  • Patent number: RE40615
    Abstract: A gearshift device comprises an input unit for receiving input data which is connected via at least one data line to a first controller via which an actuator unit can be controlled for setting a gearbox, especially an automatic gearbox of a motor vehicle, and comprising at least one second controller which is independent of the first controller. The second controller is separate from the first controller and is connected to the input unit via at least one data line. In the case of a fault in the first controller, the actuator unit can be controlled by the second controller at least partially correspondingly to the first controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Martin Burgbacher, Martin Grieb, Torsten Koeger, Bernd-Heinrich Schmitfranz