Control Mechanism Patents (Class 74/335)
  • Publication number: 20130008271
    Abstract: In a group transmission arrangement, in particular a commercial vehicle group transmission arrangement, comprising a main group with a central synchronizing unit for synchronizing at least two main group shifting units for changing a main group transmission ratio, includes at least one auxiliary group with at least one auxiliary group shifting unit for changing an auxiliary group ratio, wherein a control unit is provided to actuate in a shifting operation the auxiliary group shifting unit and a central synchronizing unit in order to change an overall gear ratio, the control unit is adapted to actuate the auxiliary group shifting unit and the central synchronizing unit in parallel at least intermittently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Manfred Guggolz, David Ulmer
  • Patent number: 8347748
    Abstract: A gear changing device (1) has a gear lever (3) to operate a vehicle gear box, and several sensors to detect the movement of the gear lever with respect to the surroundings as a result of a force exerted by a user on the gear lever. The gear-changing device also has two electrical motors (5, 7), which are connected to the gear lever (3) via transmissions (9, 11). The transmission (9, 11) are formed by self-braking worm-worm wheel transmissions. The gear lever (3) can only be shifted if the electrical motors are actuated. The electrical motors shift the gear lever or permit the movement of the gear lever, depending on the sensor signals. The movement speed of the gear lever in this is such that it appears to the user that he has to overcome resistance to be able to shift the gear lever, so that the gear lever exercises a haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Innovius B.V.
    Inventor: Alexander Franciscus Anita Serrarens
  • Patent number: 8347749
    Abstract: In a gear shift device and a method for operating a manual gearshift device of a motor vehicle including a control unit which, in a gear shift mode is adapted to resolve a recognized tooth butt condition of a gear shift device which is to be engaged positively by a starting clutch, the control unit is adapted to select a starting mode for resolving the tooth butt condition by setting a startup readiness parameter which determines a startup readiness condition as established before the tooth butt condition is resolved for initiating clutch engagement and thereby resolving the tooth butt condition and, at the same time, starting movement of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Manfred Guggolz, Werner Hillenbrand, Jürgen Hertlein, David Ulmer
  • Patent number: 8344565
    Abstract: An actuator arrangement for the axial displacement of an actuation member by means of a drive force which is generated by an electric machine, in particular for a shift-clutch arrangement of a multi-step gear change transmission. The actuation member is mounted axially displaceably on a rotary shaft. The electric machine has a stator fixed to a housing and a rotor which is coupled to the actuation member and is arranged coaxially with respect to the actuation member. The rotor is coupled to the actuation member with a form fit in the axial direction. Here, the rotor or the actuation member has a radial projection which engages into a radial groove of the other part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: GETRAG Getriebe- und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG
    Inventors: Mark Schweiher, Uli Christian Blessing, Thorsten Gatzka, Ulrich Knoedel
  • Publication number: 20120312111
    Abstract: A power switcher mechanism (11) according to the present invention is characterized in that it includes an input shaft (2), a clutch (13), an output shaft (3), a change-speed mechanism (4), a rotary electric appliance (14), a rotary-electric-appliance shaft (5), and a deceleration means (6) capable of amplifying torques to be output from the rotary electric appliance (14), the deceleration means (6) having a transmission shaft (61), a transmission gear (62), an input-shaft transmission gear (63) that always meshes with one of gears (21 through 25) rotating integrally with the input shaft (2), and which is capable of rotating idly with respect to the transmission shaft (61), an output-shaft transmission gear (64) that always meshes with a gear (36a) rotating integrally with the output shaft (3), which always meshes with the gear (26) being capable of rotating idly with respect to the input shaft (2), and which is capable of rotating idly with respect to the transmission shaft (61), and a power switcher device
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Daizo Ogino, Kan Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8307730
    Abstract: To provide a transmission device in which assembly of a shift spindle is improved. In the transmission device, a groove is formed on a shift spindle into an annular shape along the peripheral portion of the shift spindle. A positioning pin is mounted so as to be inserted through a through hole of a rear cover from the outside. The distal end of the positioning pin projecting inwardly of the rear cover is locked with the groove. A rib with which a spindle plate can come into abutment is formed on the inner side of the rear cover. The groove is arranged on the extension of the through hole in a state in which the spindle plate comes into abutment with the rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Koyama, Hitoshi Tokotani, Hiroaki Egashira
  • Patent number: 8301348
    Abstract: In vehicular control method and apparatus for a shift-by-wire device, a selected shift position is modified to at least one of a vehicular parking position, a neutral position, and a traveling position, the selected shift position is modified to the vehicular parking position when a power switch is switched to an OFF position, and the modification of the shift position to the vehicular parking position is inhibited when an operation pattern of an operation input section while the power switch is in the ON position is made coincident with the operation pattern prescribed as a cipher code which inhibits the shift position modification to the vehicular parking position, the operation patterns being constituted by a combination of operation patterns which would not be carried out in the operation section during an ordinary traveling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Fumitaka Nagashima, Yoshiaki Ueda, Ryusuke Oshiro, Tomoyuki Suwabe
  • Patent number: 8291784
    Abstract: A transmission system including first and second shafts (4, 2; 104, 102), a plurality of gear trains arranged to transfer drive between the first and second shafts, an instantaneous selector mechanism (46; 146), and at least one non-instantaneous selector mechanism (40, 44; 140, 144, 153, 157), wherein the instantaneous selector mechanism (46; 146) and the or each non-instantaneous selector mechanism (40, 44; 140, 144, 153, 157) are arranged to create torque paths between the first and second shafts (4, 2; 104, 102) via the gear trains, wherein each gear train is selectable when one other gear train is transmitting torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Zeroshift Limited
    Inventors: William Wesley Martin, Richard John Evan Thompson
  • Publication number: 20120260757
    Abstract: In a gear shift device and a method for operating a manual gearshift device of a motor vehicle including a control unit which, in a gear shift mode is adapted to resolve a recognized tooth butt condition of a gear shift device which is to be engaged positively by a starting clutch, the control unit is adapted to select a starting mode for resolving the tooth butt condition by setting a startup readiness parameter which determines a startup readiness condition as established before the tooth butt condition is resolved for initiating clutch engagement and thereby resolving the tooth butt condition and, at the same time, starting movement of the vehicle
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Manfred Guggolz, Werner Hillenbrand, Jürgen Hertlein, David Ulme
  • Patent number: 8286523
    Abstract: In a transmission for a vehicle including a shift drum rotatably supported by an engine case for selectively establishing multiple gear trains of respective speed steps in accordance with the rotational position of the shift drum, a shift-position changing-driving member is interlocked with and connected to an end portion of the shift drum so as to drive the shift drum to rotate. A shift-position sensor detects which of the multiple gear trains is established. The maintainability of the shift-position sensor is achieved by a transmitting mechanism that transmits the amount of rotational movement of a shift drum. The shift-position sensor is interlocked with and connected to an end portion of the shift drum. A shift-position sensor is disposed at and fixed to the outside of an engine case so as to detect the acting amount that is transmitted by the transmitting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koshi Hayakawa, Yoshihisa Ieda, Akihiko Tomoda
  • Patent number: 8281681
    Abstract: A shift-by-wire (SBW) device includes a capacitor, which stores electric power. When an abnormality occurs in a battery or an electric power supply system, an actuator of the SBW device receives electric power from the capacitor and changes a shift range of an automatic transmission to a P range at least once. Furthermore, when a lever of a P range releasing arrangement is operated, the P range of the automatic transmission is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kimura, Shigeru Yoshiyama, Taku Itoh, Yoshinobu Nozaki, Atsushi Kamada
  • Patent number: 8272288
    Abstract: A double-clutch transmission having at least three and preferably four, hydraulic shift cylinders, and a control device to actuate the hydraulic shift cylinders. To improve the speed of operation when selecting a gear, the shift cylinders needed for gear shifting are actuated with the aid of at least three electromagnetically shiftable directional valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Felix Dreher, Dietmar Lang, Martin Staudinger
  • Patent number: 8267232
    Abstract: A clutch arrangement (10) for a motor vehicle transmission (80) is proposed for connecting a shaft (12) to a rotational element (14), in particular to a freely moving wheel (14), which is mounted thereon, wherein the clutch arrangement (10) has: a sliding sleeve (22) which is connected in a rotationally fixed fashion to the shaft (12) and is mounted in an axially displaceable fashion on the shaft (12) between a closed position and an open position and has a first sliding toothing (24); a clutch element (26) which is connected in a rotationally fixed fashion to the rotational element (14) and has a second sliding toothing (28) into which the first sliding toothing (24) can be inserted axially in the closing direction (30) in order to connect the rotational element (14) to the shaft (12) in the closed position; and an actuator arrangement (40) for axially sliding the sliding sleeve (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: GETRAG Getriebe- und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG
    Inventor: Daniel Knoblauch
  • Patent number: 8256313
    Abstract: An actuator and vehicle system including a drive gear with an integral drive nut in meshing engagement with a drive screw. The drive screw is prevented from rotating such that rotation of the drive gear causes linear motion of the drive screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Ganter
  • Patent number: 8256312
    Abstract: A transmission includes a controller that has a rapid-deceleration judge and a rapid-deceleration processor. The rapid-deceleration judge judges whether a vehicle is decelerating rapidly or not. The rapid-deceleration processor includes a torque-fluctuation inhibitor, and an after-rapid-deceleration change-speed stage anticipator. The torque-fluctuation inhibitor shuts off power transmission from a power source, or holds power transmission by way of a current change-speed stage or lower, when the vehicle is decelerating rapidly. The after-rapid-deceleration change-speed stage anticipator anticipates a subsequent change-speed stage being adapted for restarting or reaccelerating the vehicle that has come out of rapid deceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignees: Aisin AI Co., Ltd., Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Hatori, Takeshige Miyazaki, Yoshiki Ito, Hiroshi Toyoda, Kiyoshi Nagami, Atsushi Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20120216641
    Abstract: Arrangement for damping of a piston movement in a compressed air cylinder (10; 20), which arrangement includes a compressed air cylinder (10; 20), a valve device, a compressed air device, and a control unit. The control unit controls valve devices such that the movement of the piston is damped before the piston reaches the casing of the compressed air cylinder. A method for control of the arrangement is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventor: Ortwin Schlüter
  • Publication number: 20120216640
    Abstract: A method for shifting a semi-automatic powershift transmission used in a motor vehicle during a manually triggered traction upshift involves the shift phases of the charging of an actuator of a clutch to be engaged, an overlap of the charging of the actuator of the clutch to be engaged and the emptying of an actuator of a clutch to be disengaged, and also involves an engine rotational speed alignment. The charging, the overlap and the engine rotational speed alignment are carried out simultaneously. In the shift process during a manually triggered shift, the driver perceives a change in engine rotational speed with only a minimal delay after the shift command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jan-Peter Hoffmeister, Simon Dylla
  • Patent number: 8250939
    Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle for performing a shift manipulation at a desired time while ensuring a favorable operation feeling. A lost motion member is arranged in a shift drive force transmitting mechanism arranged between a shift spindle and a shift drum, and a rotary position of the shift drum is resiliently held by a shift stopper mechanism in a state where one of a plurality of gear trains is established or in a neutral state. A state which allows a changeover operation of an established state of a plurality of gear trains due to an action of a shift drive force which is temporarily accumulated by a lost motion means and a state which interrupts the changeover operation can be changed over by a shift restricting mechanism which is provided as a part separate from a shift stopper mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koshi Hayakawa, Mikio Kashiwai, Akihiko Tomoda, Yoshihisa Ieda, Kanau Iwashita
  • Patent number: 8245588
    Abstract: A power unit for a saddle-ride vehicle includes a transmission mechanism disposed in the course of power transmission between a crankshaft and a drive wheel is installed in a crankcase, and a shift actuator to drive and control the gear-shifting action of the transmission mechanism is disposed in the engine main body. The shift actuator is attached to a side surface of the crankcase 35 while the operational axis of the shift actuator is placed in a plane that is orthogonal to the axial direction of a transmission mechanism. The shift actuator is disposed so that a high degree of freedom in the layout is guaranteed for the functional parts disposed around the crankcase. At the same time, the amount of outward protrusion from the crankcase is reduced and the maintenance work is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Ogasawara, Yasushi Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 8244440
    Abstract: A method and device for actuating a shifting arrangement with electric actuators of a transmission control of a motor vehicle. The method includes determining a total current of the shifting arrangement available at a point in time, detecting shift requests of shift elements and compared these with the total available current. Shift requests are then tested according to preset priorities and the sequentially performed according to the priority test. The method avoids exceeding a preset allowed current load, when the requested shifts would exceed the total available current. If the total available current would not be exceeded by the requested shifts, the requests are carried out. A device is also provided in the shifting arrangement which has control and detection mechanisms that monitor current and control the current flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Robert Ingenbleek, Markus Ulbricht, Mario Steinborn, Armin Brentel
  • Publication number: 20120198953
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system that shortens the time from when the actuation of the motor is started to when the actual winding of the seatbelt around the spindle is started. This vehicle occupant restraint system includes a clutch mechanism that connects or disconnects an electric actuator and a spindle, and a power transmission mechanism that can transmit motive power from the electric actuator to the clutch mechanism 20. The power transmission mechanism is provide with a low reduction transmission path that reduces the rotation of the electric actuator at a low reduction ratio, a high reduction transmission path that reduces the rotation of the electric actuator at a high reduction ratio, and switching means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventor: Yukinori Midorikawa
  • Patent number: 8235865
    Abstract: An automated gear shift transmission and method of controlling the same are described. The transmission is installed in a motor vehicle comprising several forward gears and at least one reverse gear and that allows choosing from several different driving modes by means of a driving mode selector lever. A forward gear is maintained in engagement in case of an uphill orientation of the motor vehicle when the parking mode is chosen. Instead of the forward gear, a reverse gear is maintained in engagement in case of a downhill orientation of the motor vehicle when the parking mode is chosen. This allows taking specific driving conditions or driving situations into account with relatively simple means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Getrag Ford Transmissions GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Leibbrandt, Ulrich Eggert
  • Patent number: 8235853
    Abstract: A transmission for use in a motor vehicle having an engine and a driveline is provided. The transmission includes an input shaft driven by the engine, an output shaft adapted for connection to the driveline, a mainshaft, a first planetary gearset, a motor/generator and a second planetary gearset. The first planetary gearset includes a first input member driven by the input shaft, a first output member driving the mainshaft and a first reaction member. The second planetary gearset includes a second input member, a second output member fixed to the output shaft and a ring gear operable to drive or be driven by the motor/generator. A rotor of the motor/generator circumscribes and is fixed to the ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain Inc.
    Inventor: Jaroslaw Lutoslawski
  • Patent number: 8239104
    Abstract: A method of altering a drive parameter of a machine having a drive system that is configured to operate a left side of the machine independently of the right side of the machine. The method includes entering, by a user, a drive parameter alteration mode by actuating a first input, and actuating a second input to alter one or more parameters associated with a controller of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Christopher Lee Young, Jason Lee Magnuson, Spencer Lee Mindeman
  • Publication number: 20120186377
    Abstract: A transmission shift device is provided that includes, but is not limited to a shifting shaft, which is mounted so it is axially immovable and rotatable in a transmission shift housing and is mechanically connected to a shift lever. Furthermore, the transmission shift device includes, but is not limited to a selector lever, which is mounted so it is axially displaceable on the shifting shaft and is mechanically connected to a selector lever. The selector lever is held in a spring-elastic manner in a middle axial selection position on the shifting shaft by at least one spring element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Axel GEIBERGER, Thorsten HAHN
  • Publication number: 20120186376
    Abstract: A transmission device has at least one electro-hydraulic transmission control unit and a method of operating the transmission device having a plurality of gear wheel that can be engaged and disengaged from a force flow by fluidically actuated shifting elements. A piston space of a first shifting element, delimited by a second functional surface of the actuating piston of the first shifting element, is made separate from a piston space of a second shifting element, delimited by the first functional surface of the actuating piston, and an area of the second shifting element, that carries an actuating pressure, or an area of the first shifting element, that carries an actuating pressure, is, or can be, connected to the piston space delimited by the second functional surface of the actuating piston of the first shifting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Peter Ziemer, Thilo Schmidt, Georg Gierer, Gert Bauknecht, Thomas Lindner, Peter Schiele
  • Patent number: 8226530
    Abstract: A method controls an automated dual clutch transmission of a motor vehicle. An actuating device, preferably arranged in the region of a steering wheel, for selecting the gear step of the shift transmission, which actuating device has a first and a second actuating element which, when actuated individually, cause an upshift or downshift of the shift transmission and, when actuated simultaneously, transfer the shift transmission into an idling state. When both actuating elements are actuated simultaneously, the force-transmitting clutch remains closed and consequently the selected gear remains engaged, and at the same time a clutch torque and/or an engine torque and, consequently, a drive torque acting on a driven wheel is reduced to approximately 0 Nm. It is thereby possible to tie up the force transmission again especially quickly after the termination of the idling state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Peter Baur, Jan-Peter Hoffmeister, Jochen Möckl
  • Publication number: 20120184406
    Abstract: A motor vehicle comprising: a power source capable of driving the motor vehicle, a gearbox coupled to the power source; and a gear shift commander having a normal state, a prepare state and a shift state; wherein the vehicle is configured to, in response to the gear shift commander entering the prepare state, cause the gearbox and/or the power source to undergo a preparatory adjustment in preparation for an up or down shift; and the vehicle is configured to make an up or down shift in response to the gear shift commander entering the shift state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: MCLAREN AUTOMOTIVE LIMITED
    Inventor: Richard Felton
  • Patent number: 8215196
    Abstract: A power tong having a ring gear, a gear train, a motor and a gear shift mechanism. The gear shift mechanism further includes a linear actuator and a shift arm connect to the linear actuator. A drive gear is positioned on a drive shaft extending from the motor and this drive gear includes an upper and lower set of drive teeth having beveled top portions. The shift arm engages the drive gear between the upper and lower set of drive teeth and movement of the linear actuator causes the drive gear to engage one of at least two gears in the gear train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: McCoy Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Buck, Mark Gravouia
  • Patent number: 8214094
    Abstract: A hybrid system for powering a vehicle and a method of controlling the hybrid system. The hybrid system has both an internal combustion engine and a motor/generator. The vehicle is controlled in response to the combination of states of five control parameters of the vehicle: polarity of the MG (positive or negative), relative rotor/stator speed, fueling of engine (on or off), clutch (on or off), and transmission shift position (drive, reverse, park). A control unit receives data from the vehicle representing these states, and determines an associated control mode. In at least one of the control modes, the engine both drives the vehicles and provides power to the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Shizuo Sasaki, Jayant V. Sarlashkar
  • Patent number: 8210067
    Abstract: A shifting device for a manual transmission having a shift rocker formed by two rocker arms connected by a rocker bridge, which is arranged over a shift sleeve via two slide-blocks attached to a holder at the end of each rocker arm, which pivots about a transverse axis defined by bearing points. A carrier element is positioned off-center on the rocker bridge to engage with a shifting pin of a shifting shaft. The rocker arm closer to the carrier element has a lower elastic rigidity than the other rocker arm. To produce different spring rigidities, the rocker arm closer to the carrier element has the geometrical form of a spring element which is elastic in the pivoting direction. The, rocker arm farther away from the carrier element is a bracket with relatively greater elastic rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Uwe Beer
  • Patent number: 8210066
    Abstract: An assembly for actuating a synchronizer includes a shift fork, a shift rail, and a permanent magnet connected to the shift rail. A first control coil is disposed in proximity to the permanent magnet. The first control coil is operable to produce a magnetomotive force on the permanent magnet in a first direction when a current is applied to the first control coil. A second control coil is disposed in proximity to the permanent magnet. The second control coil is operable to produce a magnetomotive force on the permanent magnet in a second direction when a current is applied to the second control coil. The permanent magnet is moved to a first position when the current is applied to the first control coil and the permanent magnet is moved to a second position when the current is applied to the second control coil. Movement of the magnet in turn moves the synchronizer between engaged positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Shushan Bai, Vijay A. Neelakantan, Paul G. Otanez
  • Publication number: 20120160045
    Abstract: A system and method for selectively engaging and disengaging auxiliary equipment to avoid gear clash in a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a transmission, a transfer case, and a transmission controller. The transmission has a plurality of gears and the transfer case is coupled to the transmission by an output shaft. The controller includes control logic for controlling the engagement and disengagement of the auxiliary equipment. The control logic has a first control logic for determining whether an operator has actuated a selector switch, a second control logic for actuating a torque transmitting device to engage or disengage the auxiliary equipment and avoid gear clash, a third logic for monitoring the engagement or disengagement of the auxiliary equipment, and a fourth control logic determining whether the auxiliary equipment has been engaged or disengaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Shultz, Scott E. Mundy
  • Publication number: 20120144942
    Abstract: A transmission that is able to perform shift operation and select operation using the driving force of a single electric motor is provided. A shift/select actuating device includes: an electric motor; a first conversion mechanism; a second conversion mechanism; and a changing unit that changes a destination, to which the rotational driving force of the electric motor is transmitted, between the first conversion mechanism and the second conversion mechanism. The changing unit includes: a first electromagnetic clutch that transmits the rotational driving force of the electric motor to the first conversion mechanism or interrupts the rotational driving force; and a second electromagnetic clutch that transmits the rotational driving force to the second conversion mechanism or interrupts the rotational driving force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yukitake, Akiyoshi Tashiro, Hiroki Kagawa, Takafumi Uemoto
  • Publication number: 20120144941
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a gearbox including a housing, first and second shafts projecting from the housing, and at least one lay shaft contained within the housing. The first and the second shafts may be connected together by means of gearwheels and the at least one lay shaft in a plurality of transmission configurations. The gearbox also includes a control device movable among multiple consecutive working positions that define different transmission configurations. The control device includes a control shaft able to assume multiple successive angular positions. In some cases the control shaft includes multiple radial recesses spaced circumferentially from each other. At least one poppet ball is pushed radially against the control shaft to engage the radial recesses. Co-operation of the poppet ball with each of the recesses defines a stable equilibrium position for the control shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: BI.CI.DI. SRL
    Inventor: Angelo Cibien
  • Publication number: 20120144940
    Abstract: An automated transmission comprises a hydraulic control device and one or more hydraulically actuated gear units. The hydraulic control device comprises a control unit for setting actuating pressures on the gear units; a base pressure control valve for adjusting a hydraulic base pressure of the hydraulic control device; and a device for controlling the base pressure control valve dependent on the actuating pressures. The automated transmission further comprises a device for switching through an actuating hydraulic pressure to the base pressure control valve. A method comprises the method steps of adjusting a hydraulic base pressure at the hydraulic control device; adjusting actuating pressures for actuating one or more transmission units; switching through one of the actuating pressures to the base pressure control valve; and adjusting the hydraulic base pressure by one of the actuating pressures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Reinhard Moehlmann
  • Publication number: 20120144943
    Abstract: Output gears are disposed so as to be movable toward and counter to plural second input gears to which rotation of the motor is transmitted, and so as to be biased toward the plural second input gears. A cam, which has plural recesses provided at the periphery thereof, is disposed at the inside of the output gear. The cam is rotated, and a pin of the output gear enters the recess, so that the output gear is moved toward the second input gear, and the output gear is engaged with the second input gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryohei Shigematsu, Kiyoshi Nakajima, Kenji Murakami, Takahiro Fujii, Shinji Iino, Hiroshi Yagame
  • Patent number: 8199514
    Abstract: An electrical device storage unit includes a separation wall having a convex portion and a concave portion; a control unit having a printed circuit board whose front surface and back surface are mounted with an electronic component; an adhesive for joining the convex portion and the printed circuit board; and an electrical device that is electrically connected with the control unit by a conductor and arranged opposite the control unit with the separation wall disposed therebetween, wherein the conductor is provided passing through the separation wall and the printed circuit board, and an end of the conductor is soldered to the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Ito
  • Patent number: 8190343
    Abstract: A control system for a dual clutch transmission (DCT) of a vehicle comprises a difference module, a summer module, and a position control module. The difference module determines a difference between a desired position for a gear actuator and a measurement of a current position of the gear actuator. The summer module determines a sum of a derivative of the difference and a product of the difference and a predetermined gain. The position control module controls the current position of the gear actuator based on the sum. The current position of the gear actuator controls a position of a gear synchronizer that slides along an output shaft of the DCT. The position of the gear synchronizer controls coupling of a gear ratio with the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventors: Yue-Ming Chen, Vijay A. Neelakantan
  • Patent number: 8181547
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Tsuji, Tetsuya Yamamoto, Yoshihiro Mitobe
  • Patent number: 8172057
    Abstract: A drive train is used at least including an input shaft and an output shaft. A clutch member is rotatable by a clutch shaft about an axis of rotation. The clutch shaft is supported for lateral movement along the axis of rotation to move the clutch member to cooperate with the drive train at a first lateral position to cause the output shaft to turn and to move the clutch member to a second lateral position to disengage the output shaft from rotation of the input shaft. A permanent magnet is supported by one end of the clutch shaft and arranged for receiving an external magnetic biasing force along the axis of rotation to selectively move the clutch member between the first and second lateral positions. A traveling shaft can be used to support a selected gear for movement by the permanent magnet to implement transmission and reversing configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Mercer
  • Publication number: 20120090417
    Abstract: A sleeve stroke SSt of a specific sleeve is gradually increased from “0” (after t1) in a state in which a vehicle is stopped, a transmission is in a neutral state (all sleeve strokes SSt=0 (original position)), a clutch is in a disengaged state (clutch stroke CSt=0 (original position)), and an engine is operating (engine rotational speed NE>0). Upon determination that the sleeve stroke SSt has reached a predetermined value A, at which synchronization operation of a corresponding synchronization mechanism is performed, the sleeve stroke SSt is fixed to the predetermined value A, and an operation of increasing the clutch stroke CSt from “0” in a press engagement direction is started (time t2). An engagement start point CStlearn of the clutch is obtained based on a change in the rotational speed Ni of an input shaft Ai of the transmission after that (time t3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: AISIN AI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Toyoda, Takeshige Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 8156837
    Abstract: A countershaft transmission with positive engagement clutches for changing transmission gearing ratios and shift rails for supporting shift forks in a transmission housing, one shift rail being adapted to support at least two shift forks, whereby an assembly of shift rails is simplified and the transmission housing size is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy S. Smith
  • Patent number: 8160760
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating autonomic control mode commands to an autonomic control system in a vehicle to execute an autonomic vehicle maneuver in response to an operator command includes a control module signally connected to the autonomic control system and an input device. The input device is manipulated by an operator to transition among operator command positions and configured to generate signal outputs monitored by the control module indicating the operator command positions including a neutral position, a detent position and an extended detent position. The input device further includes a reset state corresponding to the neutral position and monitored by the control module, an initiation state corresponding to the extended detent position and monitored by the control module, and a command state corresponding to the detent position and monitored by the control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: John K. Lenneman, William C. Barley, Joseph F. Szczerba, Sanjeev M. Naik
  • Patent number: 8157076
    Abstract: A servo valve for shifting a transmission between a park and out of park position includes a valve housing and a park servo. A first and second solenoid is disposed in the valve housing for transmitting a respective first or second signal to shift the transmission to the respective first or second state of operation. The park servo is fluidly connected to the transmission and is responsive to the first and second signals to shift the transmission to the respective positions. Fluid pressure within the valve housing moves a valve member therein to move a piston within the park servo to shift the transmission to the corresponding position. A third solenoid transmits a third signal in combination with the second signal to latch and hold the valve member in the corresponding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Michael D. Foster
  • Patent number: 8156839
    Abstract: A vehicle gear box shift actuator and apparatus including the same. The actuator includes a lead screw; a drive nut threaded on the lead screw; a plunger; a first spring disposed between the drive nut and a first end of the plunger; a second spring disposed between the drive nut and a second end of the plunger opposite from the first end. Non-contact position sensing of the actuator output is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Meaney, Thomas P. Schregardus, Robert Cicerchia, David Medina
  • Patent number: 8145399
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for providing an electronic gear shift selector associated with an automatic mechanical transmission for a heavy vehicle. The gear shift selector includes a toggle switch for asserting at least one gear shift request, a counter receiving the at least one gear shift request, and a time delay for preventing communication of the at least one gear shift request from the counter until a predefined time period has passed. A method for communicating a collective gear shift request to a gear box includes asserting one or more gear shift requests with a gear shift selector, communicating the gear shift requests to a counter, determining the collective gear shift requests occurring within a predefined time period, communicating the gear shift requests occurring within the predefined time period to a gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Anders Lindgren, Anders Eriksson
  • Patent number: 8138906
    Abstract: An information presentation system for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle comprises a transmission operable in a plurality of gear states. The system comprises a sensor adapted to detect a gear state of the transmission, an electronic control system adapted to operate the transmission and to detect a gear state of the transmission, and a display device coupled to the sensor and to the electronic control system. The display device is adapted to receive a first signal indicating the gear state of the transmission, to receive a second signal indicating the gear state of the transmission, and to adjust an arrangement of visual elements in a manner influenced by the first and second signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Orson S. Wang, Maureen L. Roth
  • Patent number: 8126623
    Abstract: A shifting device is provided for the gear selection in a manual transmission that includes, but is not limited to a shift/selector lever that can be moved in a shifting degree of freedom and a selection degree of freedom, a measuring sensor for measuring a current position (s, w) of the shift/selector lever in the two degrees of freedom, a two-dimensionally controllable actuator device and a control circuit for the controlling of the actuator device in a position (S, W) which is associated with the sensed position (s, w) of the shift/selector lever, which depicts the movement region of the shift/selector lever on a region of possible positions of the actuator device. The movement region of the shift/selector lever included, but is not limited to a two-dimensional prohibited part region, in which the shift/selector lever is simultaneously moveable in both degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christian Rübsam, Jan Sporleder
  • Publication number: 20120042743
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a motor vehicle with a clutch device on the input side. The drive assembly includes a transmission having input and output shafts, loose and fixed gearwheels, shifting devices for coupling the loose gearwheels to the transmission shafts, a power take-off (PTO) gearwheel that can be driven by the input of the clutch device, and a PTO clutch for engaging the PTO gearwheel in the torque flow. The PTO clutch is arranged in the torque flow after and axially adjacent a starting and shifting clutch. The clutch device comprises the starting and shifting clutch, the PTO clutch and two actuators. The starting and shifting clutch is a friction clutch and the PTO clutch is a claw clutch. The two clutches have a clutch cover and a common actuator housing, and the coupling device of the PTO clutch is arranged radially outside the clutch cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Bernard Hunold, Eckhardt Lubke