Control Mechanism Patents (Class 74/335)
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Patent number: 7350433Abstract: A transmission control system for maintaining good positioning performance even if a dynamic characteristic of a transmission is out of a predicted range. A sliding mode controller provided in a shift controller has two degrees of freedom and can independently specify a follow-up characteristic of an actual shift arm position to follow a target position in a shifting direction and a disturbance suppressing characteristic respectively. The sliding mode controller determines a control input to be supplied to a shift motor of a shifting device. A sliding mode controller provided in a selection controller has two degrees of freedom and can independently specify a follow-up characteristic of an actual shift arm position to follow a target position in a selecting direction and a disturbance suppressing characteristic, respectively. This sliding mode controller determines a control input to be supplied to a selection motor of a selecting device.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2004Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yuji Yasui, Kanako Shimojo
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Patent number: 7350432Abstract: A transmission (8) for a motor vehicle (2) with a housing (26) and a shifting apparatus arranged therein and with an electromechanical transmission actuator (24) with a first electric motor (32) for exercising a selection motion of the shifting device with a second electric motor (34) for exercising a shifting motion of the shifting apparatus and with a control unit (22) for receiving sensor signals, for processing the sensor signals and for emitting control signals to the electric motors (32, 34) the axis of rotation of the first electric motor (32) and the axis of rotation of the second electric motor (34) lie parallel to each other.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2002Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Bernd Somschor, Frank Miehle, Norbert Sommer, Jürgen Neuenfeld, Oliver Buchhold
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Patent number: 7347117Abstract: A hydraulic linear drive for a hydraulic vehicle transmission actuator has a piston/cylinder unit in which an adjusting piston is arranged so it is longitudinally displaceable in a cylinder housing and subdivides the cylinder space into at least two pressure spaces which can receive hydraulic oil through control lines. The optional pressure action on the two pressure spaces is controllable by a shift valve. A connecting line is provided between the two control lines leading to the pressure spaces and a control valve is provided for optionally releasing or blocking the connecting line to further control the pressure force acting on the piston.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2005Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventor: Serge Nassif
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Publication number: 20080060462Abstract: A single motor transmission shifting mechanism with exactly one electric motor for generating drive motions for selecting, and for generating drive motions for shifting gears of a motor vehicle transmission device, and with a threaded spindle for switching from a mode, in which selection motions can be effectuated, into a mode, in which shifting motions can be effectuated, and with a shifting shaft, which can be moved in axial direction for selecting, and which can be rotated around its longitudinal axis for shifting, wherein all components, transferring the drive load for shifting from the electric motor to the shifting shaft during shifting operation, maintain their axial position relative to the longitudinal axis of the threaded spindle during this shifting operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2007Publication date: March 13, 2008Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Mavinkal Jayaram, Trevor McConnell
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Publication number: 20080051255Abstract: A crop sprayer control assembly includes a hand-operated control device with an up-throttle sensor operably connected to the hand-operated control device. A down-throttle sensor, an up-shift sensor and a down-shift sensor are also operably connected to the hand-operated control device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2006Publication date: February 28, 2008Applicant: Equipment Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Chad A. Ringer
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Publication number: 20080047381Abstract: A shift mechanism for a transmission having a first and a second combination of gears is disclosed. The shift mechanism has a rod member and a hydraulic actuator operatively connected to an end of the rod member. The hydraulic actuator is configured to move the rod member between a first position at which the first combination of gears is engaged to transmit power, a second position at which the second combination of gears is engaged to transmit power, and a third position at which neither the first nor the second combination of gears is engaged to transmit power. The hydraulic actuator has a first piston slidably connected to the rod member, a second piston fixedly connected to the rod member, and a housing. The housing forms three chambers and has only two fluid conduits in communication with the three chambers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2007Publication date: February 28, 2008Inventor: Michael G. Cronin
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Patent number: 7334492Abstract: A shifting unit (1) for an automatic transmission, especially controlled by pressurized medium for an automobile, with multiple valves which are connected to each other through a pressure supply line (30) and a pressure reduction line (32). The chambers (16, 18) of servo cylinders (10, 12) fitted with servo actuators contain at least one shift valve each (22, 24, 26, 28). There is a pressure accumulator (36) designed in between the pressure supply line (30) and the shift valves (22, 24, 26, 28).Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2005Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Bernd Müller, Mario Steinborn
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Publication number: 20080034906Abstract: A rotary member mounting structure is configured for mounting a speedometer worm gear closely adjacent to a drive gear that is supported on an output shaft. The rotary member mounting structure basically has a rotation preventing structure, a first fastening ring and a second fastening ring. The rotation preventing structure is configured to prevent the drive gear from rotating relative to the output shaft 1 and to prevent the worm gear from rotating relative to the output shaft. The first fastening ring is configured to prevent the drive gear from sliding axially toward the worm gear and to prevent the worm gear from sliding axially toward the drive gear; and a second fastening ring is configured to prevent the worm gear from sliding axially in the direction opposite (i.e., away from) the drive gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2005Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: AICH MACHINE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventor: Ryoji Kondo
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Patent number: 7329205Abstract: The invention relates to a drive train having a twin-clutch transmission and to a method for controlling the same.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2005Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Marian Preisner, Reinhard Berger
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Publication number: 20080028879Abstract: A fault-tolerant gear selector lever position apparatus is described. Included is a first sensor operable to detect each position, and a second sensor operable to detect subsets of the positions. A first controller monitors the second sensor, and a second controller monitors the first sensor. The second controller identifies and communicates one of the positions to the first controller, and the first controller validates the position and communicates the position to a control system. The lever is applicable to a power transmission device. Each sensor preferably comprises digital encoding sensor; the first sensor generates a unique signal for each position, and the second sensor generates a unique signal for each subset of the positions, preferably a unique signal for each of Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Forward Drive. The controllers identify faults in the sensors, and communicate and act accordingly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2006Publication date: February 7, 2008Inventors: Richard E. Robinette, Peter E. Wu
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Patent number: 7327241Abstract: Disclosed is an indicator device for a vehicle with an automatic transmission, which comprises a plurality of light-emitting elements 52a each adapted to be lighted up when one of P, R and N gear ranges corresponding thereto is selected, and a digital indicator 53 adapted to indicate an alphabet character “D” when a D gear range is selected, and indicate a numeric character representing a gear position when a M gear range (manual shift mode) is selected. The indication device of the present invention makes it possible to utilize a space of an instrument panel with higher efficiency and offer enhanced visibility for a driver, while avoiding increase in production cost.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2006Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Isao Toda, Katsumasa Sogame, Takeshi Matsukawa
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Publication number: 20080020885Abstract: A transmission shift mechanism for use with a vehicle transmission. The transmission shift mechanism includes a user-operated selector and a sub-assembly operably disposed between said user-operated selector and the vehicle transmission. The sub-assembly includes a torque-transfer member having a first portion and a second portion wherein the first portion is pivotally secured to the transmission shift mechanism about a pivot axis and the second portion defines a section of a substantially spherical surface which is engageably disposed within a non-linear camming slot defined by the transmission shift section. The torque-transfer member takes the form of a molded polymeric body with a sheet metal insert disposed within the molded polymeric body. The second portion of the torque-transfer member may include flats to reduce the volume of polymeric material required in the manufacture of the member. A method of manufacturing such a torque-transfer member or crank arm is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2007Publication date: January 24, 2008Inventor: Michael C. Vermeersch
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Patent number: 7313979Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission device for a motor vehicle that has a plurality of gear sets that form gear ratio steps, final control mechanisms being provided and an actuation device being provided for the actuation of the final control mechanisms that has a plurality of drivable main control elements, especially shift fingers, to act on final control mechanisms for the engagement of gear ratio steps, it being possible to act on at least one final control mechanism via either a first or a second main control element, these two main control elements of the final control mechanism being moved as a function of the main control element that acts on this final control mechanism in one of two different directions, especially opposite directions, when in this context there is identical drive direction, especially identical rotational direction; and an actuation device and a method for the electronically controlled determination of reference positions of an actuation device.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2005Date of Patent: January 1, 2008Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Matthias Ehrlich, Norbert Esly
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Patent number: 7313980Abstract: An operating position select device has a select lever unit, a mode shift unit to shift operation modes of the automatic transmission, and an assist actuator controlled by a control unit. A first connecting member of the select lever and a second connecting member of the mode shift unit are relatively movable to a limit amount to each other and integrally movable beyond the limit amount with each other. The positions of the members are detected by an operating position sensor and an assist position sensor, respectively. The actuator is driven so that a difference between an operating position and an assist position may be reduced, but prohibited from driving when the difference is kept out of a permissible range for a predetermined period during rest of the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2005Date of Patent: January 1, 2008Assignee: Calsonic Kansei CorporationInventors: Takashi Otsuka, Yukitsugu Hirota, Kensuke Osamura, Masaharu Nagano, Shinya Kobayashi
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Patent number: 7311015Abstract: A multistage transmission for an internal combustion engine has a disconnect-type clutch, a drive shaft and a driven shift on which engaged gear wheels are arranged to achieve different gear steps. Clutches actuated via shift forks are used to move the speed gears to generate a frictional connection with the gear shaft. The gear change is effected by a control cable and/or gearshift linkage. The gear pairs for the even gears and for the odd gears are arranged side-by-side like a dual clutch gear set. To implement an H shift pattern to actuate the clutches of the even gears and the odd gears a shifter shaft is provided, respectively. The two shifter shafts can be controlled via a common selector and/or shift control system.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2004Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventor: Marc Kluge
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Publication number: 20070289400Abstract: A method and associated computer-executable code for controlling an automotive powertrain featuring a manual transmission determines a current transmission output speed based at least in part on the vehicle speed achieved in response to a torque request signal; determines an effective transmission gear ratio based on the engine speed and the transmission output speed; and compares the effective transmission gear ratio to each of the predetermined transmission gear ratios. A transmission shift is deemed to be in progress when the effective transmission gear ratio is not within a predetermined tolerance of any of the predetermined transmission gear ratios. Relatively-aggressive smoothing of the torque request signal upon pedal tip-out is advantageously canceled when a shift is deemed to be in progress, thereby reducing the likelihood of unintended engine speed and/or transient flares when a declutching event follows shortly after the pedal tip-out.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2006Publication date: December 20, 2007Inventors: John S. Mitchell, Amit K. Sanyal, James L. Dowbenko, Ezio N. Vermiglio
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Patent number: 7308837Abstract: An automated manual transmission control apparatus includes: a clutch; a transmission including: an input shaft; an output shaft; at least one forward shift stage gear; at least one synchromesh mechanism; and at least one reserve shift stage gear; an input shaft rotational speed sensor; a controlling means; a temporarily engaging means for performing a temporal engagement operation by which, the synchromesh mechanism is temporarily frictionally engaged with the at least one forward shift stage gear; and a reverse driving determining means for preventing a shift operation into the reverse shift stage when a vehicle speed obtained from the results of the input shaft rotational speed sensor exceeds a specified value at a time of the temporal engagement operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2005Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignee: Aisin AI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takeshige Miyazaki
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Patent number: 7302872Abstract: At least one shift gate includes a stabilizing range for stabilizing an engagement between the engaging portion and the at least one shift gate. The system stops movement of the movable member by driving the actuator and determines a portion at the movable member as a shift gate reference position at a time when the movement of the movable member stops. The system moves the movable member by driving the actuator, stabilizes the engaging portion in the stabilizing range, and determines the stabilizing position of the engaging portion as a position of the at least one shift gate.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2004Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Aisin AI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshihiro Ichikawa, Tatuhiro Miyake, Takeshige Miyazaki, Mitsutoshi Kamiya, Yoshiki Itoh, Hideyuki Yamada
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Patent number: 7303057Abstract: A parking device for vehicles in which when an engine is brought into a halt, a clutch is disconnected and the revolution of an input shaft of a transmission cannot be controlled by frictional force of the engine, the parking device includes a parking gear provided on the input shaft, a parking lock mechanism which selectively engages with the parking gear, a change lever which instructs a gear position of the transmission and is mechanically coupled to the parking lock mechanism, a speed-change actuator for shifting the transmission to each gear position, a neutral position detection unit of the change lever, a parking operation detection unit, a vehicle speed sensor, a control unit, wherein the control unit sends a control signal to the speed-change actuator to bring the transmission into engagement with a gear position that corresponds to the traveling speed of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2004Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Isuzu Motors LimitedInventor: Yasushi Yamamoto
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Publication number: 20070272046Abstract: A position detecting device is basically provided with a control section, a detecting section and a setting section. The control section repeatedly controls a gear connecting mechanism in a vehicle transmission to selectively perform a gear connecting operation to obtain a selected gear range and a gear releasing operation to release the selected gear range after the gear connecting operation has been performed. The detecting section detects a position of a connecting member of the gear connecting mechanism after the gear connecting operation has been performed. The setting section sets a shift completion position at which connecting of the selected gear range is determined to be completed based on a plurality of positions of the connecting member of the gear connecting mechanism detected by the detecting section.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2007Publication date: November 29, 2007Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoshinobu KAWAMOTO, Makoto FUTAMURA, Masasumi KITOU
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Patent number: 7296490Abstract: An electrical switch assembly is provided for an electronically controlled transmission that allows user selection between a plurality of shift schedules for the transmission. The switch assembly provides a signal for selecting among the plurality of shift schedules and has a housing. A first set of electrical contacts are positioned within the housing, and selectively closable to cause the input signal to be indicative of a selection of a first shift schedule. A second set of electrical contacts are positioned within the housing and are selectively closable to cause input signal to be indicative of a selection of a second shift schedule.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2004Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Chrysler LLCInventors: Michael Mashkevich, Jeffrey C Hendry, Laura Porrone
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Patent number: 7290460Abstract: An electro-pneumatic switching unit for a vehicle transmission (6) comprising one splitter group transmission (12) pneumatically switched via valves (36, 38) and one range-change group transmission (14) pneumatically switched via valves (44, 46), the switchings of which are manually preselected by the vehicle driver on a gear lever (16), has one locking device (54, 56) for mechanically preventing the manual switching of inadmissible reduction ratios of the vehicle transmission (6), one device (30, 42, 64) for preventing the pneumatic switching of inadmissible reduction ratios and one electronic control device (20). The locking device (54, 56) for mechanically preventing the manual switching of inadmissible reduction ratios is pneumatically connected with one valve (44) for switching the range-change group transmission (14).Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2003Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventor: Dieter Fischer
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Publication number: 20070251345Abstract: A transfer case includes a two-speed range unit, a friction clutch, a power-operated actuation mechanism and a control system. The actuation mechanism includes an electric motor, a geartrain driven by the motor for controlling rotation of an actuator shaft, a range actuator assembly and a mode actuator assembly. The range actuator assembly functions to move a shift collar associated with the range unit in response to rotation of the actuator shaft. The mode actuator assembly includes a mode cam and a ballramp unit. The mode cam is rotatively driven by the actuator shaft for controlling the clutch engagement force exerted on the friction clutch by the ballramp unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2007Publication date: November 1, 2007Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN AG & CO KGInventors: August Kriebernegg, Klaus Lippitsch
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Publication number: 20070251346Abstract: A splash guard mechanism of a gear position sensor for a motorcycle protects the gear position sensor without providing a special cover. In an engine of a motorcycle where a gear position sensor that senses a shift stage selected by a shift drum protrudes sideways in the vicinity of a driving sprocket for driving a rear wheel by a crankcase that holds a crankshaft, a splash guard mechanism of the gear position sensor is configured by a splash guard formed on a sprocket cover that covers the driving sprocket from the side and arranged between the gear position sensor and the driving sprocket, and a rib protrudes from the reverse side of the driving sprocket with the gear position sensor between them in the crankcase.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2007Publication date: November 1, 2007Inventor: Masafumi Taki
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Publication number: 20070254773Abstract: A method implements a starting process for an internal combustion engine which has a drive unit and a transmission with at least two transmission input shafts and a multiple clutch device, in particular a double clutch device. During the starting process, the first gear is engaged in a first clutch of the multiple clutch device and is activated, while the second gear speed is engaged in a second clutch of the multiple clutch device but not activated. During the starting process, a current velocity is compared with a predefinable reference velocity, and when the reference velocity is reached a control unit causes the first clutch to be opened and thus causes the first gear to be deactivated while, in parallel with this, the second clutch is closed and the second gear is thus activated.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2007Publication date: November 1, 2007Inventors: Peter Baur, Joachim Esser, Christian Hauck, Dieter Kraxner
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Patent number: 7287443Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a drive train having a drive unit, a gearbox having a first gearbox input shaft and a second gearbox input shaft, and a clutch having a first clutch device which is associated with the first gearbox input shaft, and a second clutch device which is associated with the second gearbox input shaft, for transferring torque between the drive unit and the gearbox. The first and second clutch devices are plate clutches to which an operating fluid, such as a cooling oil, is supplied to operate the same. The gearbox is associated with an actuator device and a control device for controlling the actuator device, the arrangement of which enables the gears associated with the first and second gearbox input shafts to be engaged and disengaged. The control device is designed such that at least one gear is automatically engaged by the actuator device, as a result of the clutch release of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2005Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Volkswagen AGInventors: Jochen Kuhstrebe, Olaf Moseler, Axel Rohm, Eduard Steiner, Rainer Reuthal, Hans-Jürgen Schneider, Wolfgang Kundermann, Jörg Sudau, Thomas John, Thomas Strasser
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Publication number: 20070245842Abstract: A method for determining the position of a shifting element (11), for example of a sliding sleeve in an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, with the element actuated by way an actuating element, for example comprising a shifting rod (8) and a shifting fork (10), via an operating element (1). From the actuating pressure and/or the shifting force of the operating element, deformation of the actuating element, for example the shifting rod (8) and/or the shifting fork (10), is determined which result in the position of the shifting element being determined with greater precision.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2007Publication date: October 25, 2007Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Rainer Petzold, Robert Ingenbleek, Mario Steinborn
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Patent number: 7278950Abstract: A stage-geared gearbox for motor vehicles, includes an unsynchronized basic gearbox, at least one synchronized auxiliary gear and at least one control unit for controlling engagement and disengagement of the gears of the gearbox and also neutral position. In the gearbox, the control unit is arranged so as, when input signals indicating that neutral position is selected are received, to put the synchronized auxiliary gear in neutral position.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2003Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar ABInventors: Marcus Steen, Lars Karlsson
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Patent number: 7278510Abstract: The invention is an automatic transmission shifting system for automobile, the automobile having a steering column assembly including a steering wheel at one end and steering column, and an electrical wire having first end terminating at the steering wheel and a second end terminating at least partially down the steering column. The system includes a first shifting actuator mounted to the steering wheel assembly, the first shifting actuator for initiating up shifts in the transmission by movement thereof and providing a first up shift signal to the first end of the wire. A second shifting actuator mounted is on the steering wheel assembly, the second shifting actuator for initiating down shifts in the transmission by movement thereof and providing down shift signals to the first end of the wire. Transmission actuation means is provided for up shifting and down shifting the transmission in response to the first up shifting and the second down shifting signals, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2004Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: American Supercars and Prototypes, LLCInventor: Arthur K. Richards
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Patent number: 7275455Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a method for the control of a gear engagement mechanism of an automated multiple-ratio transmission having at least one drive shaft and at least one output shaft, including assigning a synchronizer to at least one gear step, applying a load to the synchronizer in order to engage or disengage a gear step of the transmission, and varying the load that is applied to the synchronizer as a function of the service life of the transmission system.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2002Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventor: Ian Duncan Kennedy
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Patent number: 7276008Abstract: A drive system includes an output shaft of an engine connected to a sun gear of a planetary gear assembly. An electric motor is connected, via gears, to a carrier rotatably supporting a planetary pinion gear that rotates around the outer circumference of the sun gear while rotating on its axis in engagement with the sun gear. An input shaft of a STEPTRONIC™ transmission is connected to a ring gear that rotates in engagement with the planetary pinion gear. The drive system further includes an engine clutch directly coupling the output shaft of the engine to the ring gear, a ring gear brake that regulates the rotation of the ring gear, and a torque converter clutch and a torque converter for transmitting the driving force of the electric motor to an output shaft of the STEPTRONIC™ transmission.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2007Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yuji Yasui, Takashi Haga
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Patent number: 7270027Abstract: A detent lever assembly for implementation with an electronic transmission range selection (ETRS) system that shifts a transmission range between a park position and an out-of-park position. The detent lever assembly includes a shaft rotatably supported by a housing and a detent lever rotatably supported by the shaft and rotatable between a first position and a second position. In a first mode, the detent lever is rotatable about the shaft and in a second mode the detent lever is rotatable with the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2003Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Todd R. Berger, Stephen W. Powell, Mark A. Vernacchia
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Publication number: 20070204710Abstract: A control device 5 for an automatic transmission apparatus 2 has an automatic gearshift mode in which the gear of the automatic transmission 2 is automatically controlled by setting the shift position of a shift device 3 in one of forward travel positions including a first and a second forward position. The control device 5 also has a manual gearshift mode changing the gear one step by one step by an operating unit 4 other than the shift device 3 while maintaining the shift position set in the forward position 33. The manual gearshift mode includes a first manual mode when the shift position of the shift device 3 is set in a first forward position, and a second manual mode when the shift position is set in a second forward position. A control pattern of the first manual mode differs from that in the second manual mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2007Publication date: September 6, 2007Inventors: Kiyohiro Mandou, Yoshinori Furusawa
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Publication number: 20070199396Abstract: An automatic transmission has a clutch mechanism, an oil pump, and a valve body that encloses a clutch hydraulic pressure control mechanism. The valve body is arranged axially adjacent to the clutch mechanism. The oil pump is offset from an input shaft of the transmission and arranged so as to overlap the valve body and/or the clutch mechanism when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the automatic transmission. This automatic transmission improves the control response of the clutch of the transmission while avoiding an increase in the size of the transmission.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2007Publication date: August 30, 2007Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kazuhiro Taniai
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Publication number: 20070199395Abstract: A vehicular control apparatus for a vehicle has a twin clutch type automatic transmission. The control apparatus comprises an external information acquisition apparatus for acquiring external information required for vehicular transmission control, an input section for taking in the external information from the external information acquisition apparatus; and a pre-shift gear selection section for selecting a predetermined gear train among plural gear trains of the transmission to execute a pre-shift in accordance with the external information.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2007Publication date: August 30, 2007Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Tatsuya Ochi, Takashi Okada, Hiroshi Sakamoto, Masato Imai, Tetsuo Matsumura
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Publication number: 20070186705Abstract: A control method for a transmission for a motorcycle having a plurality of shift gear trains such that the combination of gears meshing with each other is changed by driving an actuator to change a shift position. When a vehicle body inclination angle ? as a sideward inclination angle of a vehicle body of the motorcycle during running of the motorcycle becomes greater than or equal to a predetermined angle, a change in shift position in the transmission is inhibited. The method controls the transmission for the motorcycle in order to reduce an operational load on a rider during turning of the motorcycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2007Publication date: August 16, 2007Inventor: Osamu Suzuki
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Patent number: 7257476Abstract: A select lever device for an automatic transmission includes: a torque sensor to detect an input torque to a drive shaft of a select lever; a select position sensor to detect the stroke angle of the select lever; a characteristic data storing unit in which a mechanical load characteristic of the select lever is stored; and a control unit to which signals and data of these elements are inputted. Further, the control unit includes an electric motor to output to the select lever assist torque for assisting the operating force by a driver, the assist torque being controlled based on the input torque to the select lever, the stroke angle of the select lever, and the mechanical load characteristic of the select lever.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2004Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Calsonic Kansei CorporationInventors: Yuzo Shimamura, Nobuaki Tsuchiya, Wataru Shimizu, Toru Aoki
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Patent number: 7246535Abstract: A method for recognition of the synchronization position and the end of the synchronization operation in an automated shiftable transmission with an electromotive shift actuator is disclosed, which is characterized in that the rotational speed of the shift actuator is detected and the synchronization position, as well as the end of the synchronized operation, is determine based upon the change of the rotational speed.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2002Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Reinhard Berger, Martin Vornehm, Stefan Winkelmann
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Patent number: 7243567Abstract: An operating position select device has a select lever unit, a mode shift unit to shift operation modes of the automatic transmission, a mechanically connecting means connecting them, and an assist actuator to apply assist force to a select lever of the select lever unit. A control unit for controlling the actuator is electrically connected to an operating state sensor detecting an operating state of the select lever. The control unit executes assist control to control the assist actuator based on the operating state signal of the operating state sensor, and maintains the assist control for a predetermined period after the ignition switch is turned to OFF.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2005Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: Calsonic Kansei CorporationInventors: Kensuke Osamura, Yukitsugu Hirota, Yuzo Shimamura, Masaharu Nagano
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Patent number: 7240577Abstract: An electronic gearshift device of a transfer case assembly for a four wheel drive vehicle is provided. The electric gearshift device comprises a motor, a camshaft rotatably driven by the motor, a rail member separated from the camshaft by a predetermined distance and positioned parallel to the camshaft; first and second forks installed on the rail member such that they are spaced apart from each other, and a cam fitted around and supported by the camshaft to selectively operate the first or second forks on the rail member to thereby effect gearshift.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2003Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: Dymos IncorporatedInventors: Min-Sik Choi, Young-Soo Kim, Woo-Jong Bong
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Patent number: 7237450Abstract: A vehicular automatic power transmission operating device includes an operating lever, a lever case, a torque sensor, a mounting member and a power assist unit. The operating lever creates operational force to shift into a position of an automatic power transmission. The lever case accommodates a lower end portion of the operating lever therein. The torque sensor detects operational force of the operating lever. An input shaft and an output shaft of the torque sensor serve as a rotary shaft of the operating lever. The mounting member is divided into first and second members by the input shaft and the output shaft of the torque sensor. Provided in the first and second members, respectively, are first and second fixing members by which the input shaft is fixed to the mounting member, and first and second bearing portions by which the output shaft is rotatably supported to the mounting member.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2004Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Calsonic Kansei CorporationInventors: Takeshi Ogasawara, Daisuke Kondo, Takeshi Satoh, Takanori Mori
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Patent number: 7231844Abstract: A transmission control system is capable of promptly compensating for a disturbance attributable to a mechanical interference that takes place in a selecting operation so as to quickly complete the selecting operation. An adaptation disturbance observer provided in a selection controller calculates a disturbance component term in a model equation of a selecting mechanism for each control cycle of the selection controller. An equivalent control input calculator of a sliding mode controller uses the disturbance component term calculated by the adaptation disturbance observer to calculate an equivalent control input. An adder adds a reaching law input calculated by a reaching law input calculator and the equivalent control input to calculate a control value of a voltage to be applied to a selection motor of the selecting mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yuji Yasui, Kanako Shimojo
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Patent number: 7231287Abstract: A method for controlling a clutch, especially a double clutch, an interruption-free manually controlled gearbox, especially a parallel gearbox. A common torque mapping for controlling the clutches is created according to the respective base torque mapping of each clutch. An interruption-free manually controlled gearbox, especially a parallel gearbox, for a vehicle having a double clutch, especially for carrying out said method. At least one control device produces a common torque mapping in order to control the double clutches according to the respective base torque mapping of each clutch.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2005Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventor: Markus Baehr
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Patent number: 7225700Abstract: The invention relates to a gear shifting device (2) comprising a single-rod gear shifting system in a housing of a motor vehicle manual gearbox. Said device comprises a central gearshift shaft (32) and fork-type gear shifting elements in the form of gear shifting swinging forks or gear shifting forks (4, 6, 8, 10) which are optionally and individually engaged with the gearshift shaft (32) by rotating the same (32), and which carry out a gear shift of the selected gear shifting element by means of displacement of the gearshift shaft (32) along a rotational axis (34) of said gearshift shaft (32). Said gear shifting device (2) comprises a first element (58, 60) which is connected to the gearshift shaft (32) and which co-operates with a second element (62) fixed in the housing, in order to define the rotation of the gearshift shaft (32).Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2002Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Uwe Beer, Jens Patzner
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Patent number: 7222551Abstract: A mesh-type automatic transmission includes a power input shaft for introducing power of an engine, a plurality of transmission gears, a plurality of cogged clutches, a power output shaft for outputting driving force, a counter shaft, and a plurality of counter gears, for transmitting power of the engine to the power output shaft by rotating the power input shaft with the power of the engine, rotating the counter shaft, and transmitting rotation of the counter shaft to the power output shaft with automatic gear change by engaging and disengaging the cogged clutches to one of the transmission gears corresponding to the speed. The counter shaft is provided with an assist mechanism for transmitting rotational force of the power input shaft to the power output shaft by transmitting rotation of the counter shaft via the assist gear, during the period of disengagement of a gear to the engagement of a new gear during gear change.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2001Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Mitsuo Kayano, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Tatsuya Ochi, Hiroshi Sakamoto
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Patent number: 7222554Abstract: A shift actuator for a transmission for turning, in a direction of shift, a shift lever support mechanism mounting the shift lever of the transmission, wherein it comprises an operation lever coupled, at its intermediate portion, to said shift lever support mechanism, the first electromagnetic solenoid and the second electromagnetic solenoid which are each coupled to both ends of said operation lever so as to operate in the upward and downward directions; and an operation rod of said first electromagnetic solenoid is coupled to one end of said operation lever and an operation rod of said second electromagnetic solenoid is coupled to the other end of said operation lever.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2004Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: Isuzu Motors LimitedInventors: Masahiko Hayashi, Yasushi Yamamoto, Nobuyuki Iwao
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Patent number: 7219572Abstract: A compact shift device for shifting gears of a vehicle transmission. The shift device includes a shift lever movable in a first direction and a second direction to shift the gears of the transmission. The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. A first movable member is connected to the shift lever to move in cooperation with the shift lever for detecting the position of the shift lever in the first direction. A second movable member is connected to the shift lever to move in cooperation with the shift lever for detecting the position of the shift lever in the second direction. The first and second movable members move along the same plane.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2003Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki SeisakushoInventor: Noriyasu Syamoto
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Patent number: 7219571Abstract: A transmission having an electromechanical gear actuation system includes an input shaft, a counter shaft, and a plurality of gear sets that are adapted to be operatively engaged to and disengaged from their shafts. A plurality of synchronizers operatively engage and disengage the gear sets to and from the shafts. A shifter rail includes a plurality of shift forks that are each in operative engagement with at least one of the synchronizers. A motor assembly provides a first motive force to cause the shifter rail to selectively engage one shift fork and further adapted to provide a second motive force to operatively drive the shifter rail to cause the associated shift fork and synchronizer to engage and disengage the associated gear set to and from the associated shaft. A solenoid assembly controls when the motor assembly provides the first motive force and the second motive force.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2004Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.Inventor: Paul T. McCrary
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Patent number: 7216560Abstract: A gear shifting system for idler wheels (3) comprising sliding sleeves (2), which are connected torsion-resistant with a main shaft (1) and can be connected form-locking with an idler wheel (3) to be shifted via axial displacement. Actuation of the respective sliding sleeve (2) is provided through at least one adjusting unit (4), which selects an actuator such that a shifting actuation of the respective sliding sleeve (2) is possible.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2003Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventor: Gerhard Führer
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Patent number: 7212898Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for mathematically calculating an optimal transmission input torque value for the inertia phase and the torque phase of a ratio change. Engine output is then altered by an amount necessary to change the actual value of the transmission input torque to the calculated optimal value of transmission input torque. The timing of the clutch elements during the power-on skip through neutral downshift is established by calculating delay periods for the off-going and on-coming clutches such that a predetermined desired shift time is met. The power-on skip through neutral downshift is thereafter adaptively controlled so that aberrations are diagnosed and corrected during subsequent downshifts. The invention is carried out by monitoring engine and/or transmission characteristics including input speed, output speed and shift duration during a downshift and identifying departures from acceptable patterns.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2005Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Matthew D. Whitton, Robert L. Williams