With Means For Braking Either (1) One Or More Driven Wheels Or (2) Structure Transmitting Drive To Wheel Patents (Class 180/244)
  • Patent number: 11186169
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a motor and a transmission including a drive shaft driven by the motor and connecting the motor to the transmission, a first output shaft extending along the vehicle longitudinal axis in the one direction, which first output shaft is connected to a wheel axle by a first differential, and a second output shaft extending along the vehicle longitudinal axis in the opposite direction, which second output shaft is connected to a second wheel axle by a second differential, characterized in that the drive shaft is disposed in the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle and the first and the second output shaft are disposed on opposing sides relative to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle with identical spacing with respect to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Neander Motors AG
    Inventors: Claus Brustle, Lutz W. Lester
  • Patent number: 11110929
    Abstract: Anti-skid control is performed by switching between a reduction mode for reducing braking torque and an increase mode for increasing braking torque based on a comparison between four wheel speeds and vehicle body speed. A controller calculates wheel accelerations based on wheel speeds and includes a control mode condition where the reduction mode is selected at each wheel and a wheel acceleration condition where each wheel acceleration is within a predetermined value range. If a state in which the control mode condition and the wheel acceleration condition are simultaneously satisfied is maintained over a predetermined time period, the controller determines that a residual state is satisfied. When the residual state is not satisfied, the controller calculates vehicle body speed based on the maximum value of the wheel speeds, whereas when the residual state is satisfied, the controller calculates vehicle body speed based on the minimum value of the wheel speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yohei Mizuguchi, Masato Terasaka
  • Patent number: 11097704
    Abstract: A method for updating a vehicle reference speed for a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes increasing brake pressure to at least one wheel of the plurality of wheels and determining, via an electronic control unit, that a first wheel speed of the at least one wheel is less than a second wheel speed of another wheel of the plurality of wheels. The method also includes estimating the vehicle reference speed of the vehicle based upon the first wheel speed of the at least one wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Veoneer-Nissin Brake Systems Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shawn Wang, Huan Fu, Long Ying
  • Patent number: 10661791
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle may include a plurality of sensors configured to detect an object and to output a plurality of detection signals having a steering torque related to a result of detection; a braking device driver configured to drive a driving device of the vehicle; and a controller configured to select a single detection signal among the plurality of detection signals based on a predetermined priority, and configured to output an integrated control signal controlling the braking device driver based on the determined steering torque of the detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: DaeHwan Kim, Sukki Min, Jongmo Kim, Bongchul Ko, SungYun Kim
  • Patent number: 10655690
    Abstract: A drag ring for a clutch includes an axis, a circumferential surface extending about the axis and first and second pluralities of segments. The first plurality of segments includes first and second ends integrally joined with the circumferential surface and a first center segment protruding radially outward from the circumferential surface. The second plurality of segments includes third and fourth ends integrally joined with the circumferential surface and a second center segment protruding radially inward from the circumferential surface. In an example embodiment, the first and second pluralities of segments are circumferentially distributed about the circumferential surface. In an example embodiment, the circumferential surface includes first and second continuous edges with a distance therebetween. A circular line extending about the circumferential surface at a midpoint of the distance is interrupted by the first and second pluralities of segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jeremiah Bauman, Alexander Reimchen
  • Patent number: 10619730
    Abstract: A method for obtaining gear shifting of a vehicle, where the vehicle has a planetary gearing in the drive train, a combustion engine with an output shaft connected to a rotor of a second electric machine and to a first component of the planetary gearing, a first electric machine with a rotor connected to a third component of the planetary gearing and an input shaft of a gearbox connected to a second component of the planetary gearing. The method is started with the components of the planetary gearing interlocked by a locking means, in which they are released during the gear shifting and interlocked again after the gear shifting has been carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Johan Lindström, Mathias Björkman, Mikael Bergquist, Niklas Pettersson
  • Patent number: 10399428
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a generator, and a motor. The engine burns a gaseous mixture in a cylinder to output a drive force. The generator generates electricity by being rotated by the drive force outputted from the engine. The motor drives by utilizing electric power generated by the generator or electric power that has accumulated in a battery charged with electric power generated by the generator, and the motor thereby outputs a vehicle-running drive force. A case covering the motor is of larger diameter than a case covering a differential. The motor has an output shaft outputting the vehicle-running drive force, and has the output shaft disposed parallel to a vehicle width direction. The generator is disposed such that part of the generator overlaps an upper section of the case covering the differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tadashi Fujiyoshi, Nobuki Kawamoto, Yukio Koseki, Takahiro Shiina, Hideaki Komada
  • Patent number: 10359089
    Abstract: A proportional brake is provided and includes first and second bodies, a spring element, a coil and a booster coil. The first body includes brake plates and the second body includes thrust plates. The second body is disposed such that the thrust plates are interleaved with the brake plates and is rotatable and movable with respect to the first body. The spring element urges the second body to move toward the first body such that the thrust plates are urged toward braking engagements with the brake plates. The coil is provided at a first side of the brake plates and, when energized, generates a first flux moment on the second body in opposition to the spring element. The booster coil is provided at a second side of the brake plates and, when energized, generates a second flux moment on the second body in support of the spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicholas Wlaznik, Darrell E. Ankney
  • Patent number: 10295036
    Abstract: To reduce the complexity and the outlay involved in the development and implementation in a vehicle of systems and methods known from the prior art for operating a differential-free, clutch-controlled balancing unit having a first clutch and a second clutch, the invention provides for the first clutch and the second clutch to be controlled independently of the driving conditions, and always using the same variable controlled variable of the same value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Höck, Harwin Niessen
  • Patent number: 10207557
    Abstract: A robotic work tool system may include a robotic work tool. The robotic work tool may include two front wheels and a chassis. The robotic work tool is characterized in that the two front wheels are arranged on a beam axle that is pivotably arranged to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Jonathan Björn, Martin Elonsson, Anders Sjögren
  • Patent number: 10151357
    Abstract: A rotation transmission device is configured such that when an electromagnet of an electromagnetic clutch is energized, an armature is attracted toward a rotor, so that a control retainer defining a two-way clutch is moved in an axial direction, whereby the control retainer and a rotary retainer are rotated relative to each other in a direction in which circumferential widths of pockets decrease, thereby disengaging pairs of rollers from an inner periphery of an outer ring and an outer periphery of an inner ring. The rotation transmission device includes a shock absorbing member on a surface of the armature facing the rotor, the shock absorbing member being configured to absorb impact force when the armature is attracted to the rotor by being elastically deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naotsugu Kitayama, Marina Fukunari, Kyohei Sasanuma, Koji Akiyoshi, Masahiro Kawai, Takahide Saito, Koji Sato
  • Patent number: 9914454
    Abstract: This invention relates to a vehicle speed control system, configured with off-road performance features, that will allow the driver to travel at a set speed in a smooth, controlled manner on various unmaintained surfaces without requiring the driver to press the brake or accelerator pedal. The vehicle speed control system uses a brake controller to control the wheel brakes, and an engine controller to control the engine/drivetrain torque, separate or in combination, to maintain a target speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignees: Kelsey-Hayes Company, Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Sean Simmons, Shawn Hawley, Charles Anthony Bartlett, Elmar Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 9821655
    Abstract: A clutch control device is provided for a four-wheel drive vehicle for transmitting drive force to the rear wheels. The clutch control device includes a dog clutch and a friction clutch, and a 4WD control unit that controls the engagement and disengagement of the dog clutch and the friction clutch. The 4WD control unit has as two-wheel drive modes, a disconnected two-wheel drive mode in which the dog clutch and the friction clutch are released, and a standby two-wheel drive mode in which the dog clutch is engaged and the friction clutch is released. The 4WD control unit is programmed to switch to the standby two-wheel drive mode when uphill movement is detected during the disconnected two-wheel drive mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuyoshi Ogawa, Atsuhiro Mori, Shunichi Mitsuishi, Makoto Morita, Tetsu Takaishi
  • Patent number: 9688141
    Abstract: A clutch control device is provided for a four-wheel drive vehicle. The clutch control device is able to suppress the elevation of the temperature of the oil supplied to a friction clutch during two-wheel drive travel when the friction clutch is released. The clutch control device includes a dog clutch and an electronic control coupling. The friction clutch is housed in a coupling case. When the dog clutch and the friction clutch are released, a two-wheel drive mode is selected. The coupling case has a passage opening that is closed to retain lubrication oil in an oil chamber with respect to a clutch chamber that houses the friction clutch. When oil stirring conditions are met thereafter, the passage opening is opened and the lubrication oil is allowed to flow into the clutch chamber from the oil chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsu Takaishi, Atsuhiro Mori, Shunichi Mitsuishi, Makoto Morita, Katsuyoshi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9631686
    Abstract: An electric parking brake device holds a parking brake in a braking state by a rotation-linear motion conversion mechanism that converts rotation of an electric motor into a motion in a linear direction, and releases the parking brake by the rotation-linear motion conversion mechanism. In a case of releasing the parking brake, the electric motor is controlled by combining PWM control and ON/OFF control with each other. When the electric motor is driven according to the PWM control, and a predetermined time has elapsed after start of the PWM control, then the electric motor is changed to drive according to the ON/OFF control. In the ON/OFF control, a change in which a drive current of the electric motor is decreased stepwise is detected, whereby a torque drop of the rotation-linear motion conversion mechanism is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Osamu Takei
  • Patent number: 9630612
    Abstract: A vehicle engine activation control system includes a starter connected to a battery; an input unit configured to generate an operation request in response to input from a driver; an electric parking brake device including an electric motor connected to the battery, wherein the electric motor starts driving in response to the operation request; an idle stop control unit configured to automatically stop an engine and automatically reactivate the engine by the starter; and a mediating unit configured to prohibit the driving of the electric motor in response to a predetermined operation request, in at least one of a case where the predetermined operation request is generated while the engine is automatically stopping or after the automatic stopping of the engine is completed, and a case where the predetermined operation request is generated during the reactivation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masatoshi Ogata, Hirokazu Kato, Natsumi Oami
  • Patent number: 9623863
    Abstract: A control device is provided for operating a road-coupled hybrid vehicle having a first drive unit assigned to a first axle, a second drive unit assigned to a second axle, and a selector device which can be operated by the driver for manually changing between a purely electric operating mode and an automatic operating mode. At least one electronic control unit controls the drive units at least partially as a function of the operator control of the selector device. The first drive unit has an electric motor and a two-speed transmission which can be shifted automatically and interacts with the electric motor, and the second drive unit has an internal combustion engine and a further transmission which interacts with the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernd Voelkel, Henning Gelshorn
  • Patent number: 9416876
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for applying a counter torque to at least one axle of a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle has an electronic parking brake (EPB) subsystem, to thus enhance a braking action of the vehicle while the EPB subsystem is engaged. In one embodiment the system may have an all wheel drive (AWD) system configured to process electronic information received by the AWD system that informs the AWD system that the EPB subsystem has been engaged, and to then apply a counter torque to the at least one axle of the vehicle. The system may also at least one of release the counter torque after receiving electronic information informing the AWD system that the EPB subsystem has been disengaged, or return to a torque value required for AWD system operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell T. Capito
  • Patent number: 9296374
    Abstract: Provided is a motion controlling apparatus for a vehicle that can achieve improvement in drivability, stability, and driving comfort. The apparatus includes a control unit for controlling driving forces of vehicle wheels; a vehicle acceleration/deceleration instruction calculator for calculating an acceleration/deceleration instruction value on the basis of a lateral jerk; a first vehicle yaw moment instruction calculator for calculating a first vehicle yaw moment instruction value on the basis of the lateral jerk; and a second vehicle yaw moment instruction calculator for calculating a second vehicle yaw moment instruction value on the basis of lateral slip information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Yamakado, Mitsuhide Sasaki, Mikio Ueyama, Keiichiro Nagatsuka
  • Publication number: 20140367185
    Abstract: A vehicle is described having plural modes of operation for the front and rear differential and whereupon start-up of the vehicle, the front and rear differentials are opened to their most open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Roger J. Hapka
  • Patent number: 8845473
    Abstract: An equalizing unit of a drive train of a motor vehicle includes a clutch device to be oiled in driving mode. In order to stop drag torques which act on the clutch device from the outside, and result in increased dissipation when said clutch device is not required due to an operating state, measures are provided which promote the dry running of the clutch device. The measures include the spatial-functional separation of the oil delivery device from the clutch device and the provision of a braking or decoupling device by which the oil delivery device can be deactivated if there is no oil requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: GKN Driveline Koping AB
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Nett, Christoph Göttert, Michael Müllers, Jan Haupt
  • Patent number: 8771128
    Abstract: A vehicle drive train includes a first power disconnection device and a first driveline for transferring torque to a first set of wheels. A second driveline for transferring torque to a second set of wheels includes a differential gearset having an output coupled to a second power disconnection device. A hypoid gearset is positioned within the second driveline in a power path between the first and second power disconnection devices. The second power disconnection device includes a clutch having a first set of clutch plates fixed for rotation with the differential gearset output. The clutch further includes a second set of clutch plates fixed for rotation with a shaft adapted to transfer torque to one of the wheels of the second set of wheels. A valve limits a flow of coolant to the clutch when the second power disconnection device operates in a disconnected mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Johannes Quehenberger
  • Patent number: 8770328
    Abstract: A process for controlling a vehicle start-stop operation having a hybrid drive with an internal-combustion engine and an electric motor, a service brake with an ABS and an electric parking brake, includes: determining, monitoring and analyzing performance parameters of the vehicle, the internal-combustion engine, the electric motor, the service brake and the parking brake; automatically releasing the parking brake in the case of a starting prompt because of determined performance parameters; driving the vehicle by the electric motor for the start; starting the engine by the electric motor if the engine is switched off; driving the vehicle by the electric motor and the engine; activating a generator operation of the electric motor in the case of a braking prompt because of determined performance parameters; activating the service brake; and automatically locking the electric parking brake when the vehicle is stopped after a previously definable deceleration time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventor: Eduard Hilberer
  • Patent number: 8764599
    Abstract: A vehicle drive train includes a first power disconnection device and a first driveline for transferring torque to a first set of wheels. A second driveline for transferring torque to a second set of wheels includes a differential gearset having an output coupled to a second power disconnection device. A hypoid gearset is positioned within the second driveline in a power path between the first and second power disconnection devices. The second power disconnection device includes a clutch having a first set of clutch plates fixed for rotation with the differential gearset output. The clutch further includes a second set of clutch plates fixed for rotation with a shaft adapted to transfer torque to one of the wheels of the second set of wheels. A valve limits a flow of coolant to the clutch when the second power disconnection device operates in a disconnected mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: MAGNA Powertrain of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Johannes Quehenberger
  • Patent number: 8746393
    Abstract: An engine unit 5 is arranged in the middle of the vehicle body frame 2 with respect to the widthwise direction of the vehicle and rearward of the steering shaft 28, and the fuel tank 10 with a built-in fuel pump 11 and the rear gear unit 31 comprising a wet brake 45 are arranged rearward of the cylinder head 20b of the engine unit 5 and such that at least a portion of the fuel tank 10 and of the rear gear unit 31 is located in the middle with respect to the widthwise direction of the vehicle, and the power steering unit 47 comprising an electric motor 49 is arranged forward of the cylinder head 20b and such that at least a portion of the unit is located in the middle with respect to the widthwise direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignees: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha, Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America
    Inventors: Harold Bolich, Christopher Gervais, William McClendon
  • Patent number: 8731795
    Abstract: A vehicle braking control system includes a vehicle brake associated with a wheel on the vehicle. A pedal activated by an operator of the vehicle controls application of the brake. An electronic control unit determines a grade mode of the vehicle and controls application of the brake independent of the operator activating the pedal while in an automatic braking mode. The electronic control unit sends a control signal to apply the brake in a manner to reduce brake fade while controlling a speed of the vehicle when the electronic control unit is in the automatic braking mode and the vehicle is in a downhill grade mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Frashure, Richard J. Conklin
  • Patent number: 8727365
    Abstract: A tractor braking system (10) having independent brake circuits (L,R) for each of a left and a right wheel is provided. Each circuit is activated by a respective brake pedal (16,17). The system comprises a releasable locking mechanism (25) to lock the two pedals together and sensors (50) to detect depression of the respective pedals (16,17). In response to a detection of only one pedal being depressed, warning means are provided to indicate to a driver that the pedals are in an unlocked state. A sensing of simultaneous depression of the pedals may be used to indicate that the pedals are in a locked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: AGCO GmbH
    Inventor: Johann Epple
  • Patent number: 8670901
    Abstract: A brake and steer-by-braking pedal arrangement for tractors includes a right pedal and a left pedal operating synchronously or diachronically; and at least one hydraulic or pneumatic circuit connected to one master cylinder activated by at least one of the pedals. The pedal arrangement also has potentiometers connected electronically to an electronic central control unit and the potentiometers determine the distance between the pedals The electronic central control unit determines, on the basis of data received from the potentiometers, whether or not to activate the steer-by-braking function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Maurizio Vescovini, Riccardo Morselli
  • Patent number: 8588997
    Abstract: A control circuit for operating the lights of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the rear lights of the vehicle are controlled by the control circuit. The control circuit illuminates two or more of the vehicle lights in a common pattern to indicate a specific vehicle operation. When the vehicle simultaneously performs two operations, the controller may transition the lights to illuminate in different patterns to clearly indicate the separate vehicle operations. The controller may further provide for adjusting the light intensity of one or more of the lights. The lights may be adjusted to have a similar intensity to prevent confusion when the different lights are used in combination to indicate a vehicle operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Custom Dynamics LLC
    Inventors: David T. Pribula, Jonathan Mahtaban
  • Patent number: 8561746
    Abstract: The motorcycle comprises an engine with a gearbox, a gear group and a drive wheel. A secondary transmission chain placed between the engine and said gear group, whereas a tertiary transmission chain is placed between the gear group and the drive wheel. The secondary transmission chain is placed at one side of the motorcycle and the tertiary transmission chain is placed at an opposite side of the motorcycle with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof. This arrangement is resulted in the motorcycle body having substantially narrower width compared to the width of the prior art motorcycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventor: Jose Luis Belil Creixell
  • Patent number: 8548681
    Abstract: A power steering device is mounted on a vehicle and includes a torque applying unit and an applied friction torque changing unit. The torque applying unit sets an applied friction torque applied to a steering wheel based on a real steering angle and a target steering angle, and performs a control of applying the applied friction torque to the steering wheel. The applied friction torque changing unit changes the applied friction torque based on a load condition of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ikuo Kushiro, Kimiaki Ono
  • Patent number: 8538654
    Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein may be useful for braking systems for use in, for example, an aircraft. A method is disclosed comprising determining, at a brake controller, an aircraft reference speed for an aircraft having a first wheel and a second wheel, identifying, at the brake controller, a state comprising the first wheel having a different rotational velocity than the second wheel, wherein the difference in rotational velocity sums to about zero, calculating, at the brake controller, a compensation factor for at least one of the first wheel and the second wheel, and adjusting, at the brake controller, a locked wheel trigger velocity in accordance with the compensation factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Eric D. Cahill
  • Patent number: 8504254
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a traction control apparatus capable of suitably controlling an error, if it occurs, between an estimation of a vehicle speed and an actual vehicle speed. A traction control apparatus according to the invention includes a vehicle speed estimator and a driving-force controller. The traction control apparatus includes a vehicle state determiner that determines whether the vehicle speed of the construction vehicle estimated by the vehicle speed estimator and the driving-force control by the driving-force controller are balanced, and a driving-force control changer that changes a driving-force control by the driving-force controller when the vehicle state determiner determines the vehicle speed and the driving-force control to be unbalanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Uematsu, Kazuhiro Hatake
  • Patent number: 8352145
    Abstract: A traction control device includes: rotation speed detectors provided to wheels; a control-start determiner that determines whether or not to control a braking mechanism and a differential adjusting mechanism based on rotation speeds; a braking mechanism controller that controls the braking mechanism based on a result of the determination of the control-start determiner; and a differential adjusting mechanism controller that controls the differential adjusting mechanism based on the result of the determination of the control-start determiner, in which the control-start determiner includes: a right-left-wheel rotation speed difference calculating section; a front-rear-wheel rotation speed difference calculating section; and a control-start determining section that determines whether or not to start controlling at least one of the braking mechanism and the differential adjusting mechanism when one of rotation speed differences reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Uematsu, Kazuhiro Hatake, Yuya Kusumoto
  • Patent number: 8327967
    Abstract: An off-road vehicle is disclosed which comprises a driveline assembly unit operative Iy connecting the propeller shaft to the front or rear wheel assemblies. The driveline assembly unit includes a main housing, a slip clutch torque limiting mechanism, and a wet brake clutch assembly. The slip clutch torque limiting mechanism and the wet brake clutch assembly being housed within the main housing and are coaxial with the propeller shaft of the off-road vehicle. A driveline unit is also disclosed that combines torque limiting and brake functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Schapf
  • Patent number: 8322473
    Abstract: A process for controlling a start-stop operation of a vehicle having a hybrid drive with an internal-combustion engine and an electric motor, a service brake with an ABS and an electric parking brake, includes: determining, monitoring and analyzing performance parameters of the vehicle, the internal-combustion engine, the electric motor, the service brake and the electric parking brake; automatically releasing the electric parking brake in the case of a starting prompt because of determined performance parameters; driving the vehicle by the electric motor for the start; starting the internal-combustion engine by the electric motor if the internal-combustion engine is switched off; driving the vehicle by the electric motor and the internal-combustion engine; activating a generator operation of the electric motor in the case of a braking prompt because of determined performance parameters; activating the service brake; and automatically locking the electric parking brake when the vehicle is stopped after a prev
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventor: Eduard Hilberer
  • Patent number: 8285465
    Abstract: A cooperative traction control system that integrates throttle control and torque distribution. The system also uses dual slip controllers and methods that involve controlling the distribution of torque between wheels in the front and rear axles of a vehicle and a relatively small or no adjustment of the engine throttle (or, more generally, engine torque output) to reduce wheel slip. The control is cooperative in the sense that two controllers—a front axle torque controller and a rear axle torque controller—work together (or are controlled together) to reduce wheel slip and thereby achieve improved straight-line movement of a vehicle from a standstill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hsien-cheng (Kevin) Wu, Qingyuan Li, Jin-jae Chen
  • Patent number: 8215440
    Abstract: A drive train of a vehicle is disclosed which comprises a permanently driven primary axle and a secondary axle connectable to the primary axle via a switch-on device with a switch-on mechanism, whereby the secondary drive train output via side shaft couplings is transferred to the drive wheels of the secondary axle. Because the switch-on mechanism and/or the side shaft couplings have frictionally engaged couplings, it can be that when the secondary axle is uncoupled, the shutdown section of the secondary drive train located between the switch-on device and the side shaft couplings is uncoupled both from the primary axle and from the secondary drive wheels, such that there is no more power loss in this shutdown section, whereby connecting the secondary drive train during travel is possible all the same and losses in comfort and practicability do not have to be tolerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Getrag Driveline Systems, GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Hoffmann, Hans-Peter Nett, Michael Hoeck, Jan Potulski, Matthias Adelt
  • Patent number: 8046145
    Abstract: A vehicle drive control device includes a target driving torque value control means, a target braking torque value control means, and an automatic drive control means for controlling the target driving torque value control means and the target braking torque value control means through a control signal, for executing an automatic drive control by sending the control signal to the target driving torque value control means and the target braking torque value control means in order to execute a feedback control on a present vehicle speed and for continuously executing the automatic drive control, wherein the target driving torque value control means controls the target value of an actual driving torque to be smaller than an presumed target value of the driving torque calculated by presuming the target value of the braking torque to be zero, for a predetermined time after the cancellation of the braking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhito Ishida, Gen Inoue
  • Patent number: 7909126
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for integrating a torque vectoring differential (TVD) and a stability control system in a motor vehicle. The integrated system is utilized for more efficiently correcting understeer and/or oversteer slides in a motor vehicle. In correcting these slides, the integrated system utilizes the TVD to rotate two wheels on opposite sides of the motor vehicle at different rates to create a yaw moment at the vehicle's center of gravity until the TVD reaches a saturation point and the understeer or oversteer slide is not corrected. Once the saturation point is reached without correcting the understeer or oversteer slide, the stability control system is employed to selectively apply one or more of the vehicle's brakes in a further effort to correct the understeer or oversteer slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Edmund F. Gaffney
  • Publication number: 20100252348
    Abstract: In the case where a difference between rotational speeds of right and left wheels detected by wheel speed sensors is less than a predetermined value, a right and left wheel power transmission control section distributes driving force between the right and left wheels so that a total value of the driving force of the right and left wheels does not exceed a limit value set up by a front and rear wheels power transmission control section. In the case where the difference between the rotational speeds of the right and left wheels is the predetermined value or more, the right and left wheel power transmission control section transmits the driving force up to a driving force upper limit for each wheel to the respective right and left rear wheels regardless of the total value of the driving force of the right and left rear wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahide Ueda, Jiro Hara
  • Patent number: 7593799
    Abstract: A torque transfer device in a motor vehicle, used for variable transfer of torque from a first shaft associated with a first wheel pair to a second shaft associated with a second wheel pair. A coupling unit facilitates variable torque-transferring coupling of the first and second shaft. The coupling unit has a first coupling element rotationally connected to the first shaft and a second coupling element connected to the second shaft. The elements cooperate with each other or are capable of cooperating with each other in order to transfer torque. A controllable adjusting device adjusts a strength of the interaction between the coupling elements by adjusting a relative position and/or a mechanical contact pressure. A control device controls the adjustment. The control device includes a data processing unit for calculating a first control signal on the basis of a plurality of input signals according to predefined rules and for controlling the adjusting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Volker Pichmann
  • Publication number: 20090211830
    Abstract: A driving force transmission device for four-wheel-drive vehicle based on the two-wheel drive of rear wheels or front wheels is provided. In the case of the two-wheel drive of rear wheels, a multi-disc clutch mechanism for controlling the driving force distribution to a front wheel output shaft, and a disconnection/connection mechanism for disconnecting and connecting a front wheel differential and a left front wheel drive shaft are provided, and in the two-wheel drive of rear wheels, the dragging torque of the multi-disc clutch mechanism is made smaller than the friction torque of a front wheel driving force transmission section, and the front wheel differential and the left front wheel drive shaft are disconnected by the disconnection/connection mechanism, thereby the rotation of the front wheel driving force transmission section is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Tadahiko Kato, Satoru Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20090157266
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a commercial vehicle with a control unit connected with the drive of the commercial vehicle and to a method for controlling a commercial vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: LIEBHERR-WERK NENZING GMBH
    Inventor: Norbert Krimbacher
  • Patent number: 7543670
    Abstract: A wheel slip control system includes wheel speed sensors that generate wheel speed signals and a control module that controls torque production of at least one of an engine and an electric motor and that detects a negative wheel slip based on the wheel speed signals. The control module increases torque production of at least one of the engine and the electric motor when the negative wheel slip is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Goro Tamai, James L. Worthing, Birendra P. Bhattarai
  • Patent number: 7509195
    Abstract: A driver control input device includes a support post and a steering ring rotatably supported with respect to the support post. A steering transducer is operatively connected between the steering ring and support post to convert mechanical rotation of the steering ring into non-mechanical steering control signals to be sent to a steer-by-wire system. A braking ring and acceleration ring may also be provided for generating non-mechanical braking and acceleration control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher E. Borroni-Bird, Adrian B. Chernoff, James T. Embach, Julien Montousse, Mohsen D. Shabana, Joseph F. Szczerba
  • Patent number: 7499787
    Abstract: In one example, A method for controlling a powertrain of a vehicle with wheels, the vehicle having a pedal actuated by a driver, is described. The method may include generating powertrain torque transmitted to the wheels in a first relation to actuation of the pedal by the driver during a first condition where said transmitted torque causes said wheels to slip relative to a surface; overriding said driver actuated powertrain torque to control said slip; and during a second condition after said first condition where said vehicle is moving less than a threshold, generating powertrain torque transmitted to the wheels in a second relation to actuation of the pedal by the driver, where for a given pedal position, less powertrain torque is transmitted with said second relation compared to said first relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Davor Hrovat, Michael Fodor, Mitch McConnell
  • Patent number: 7455145
    Abstract: A steering transaxle comprises: left and right drive shafts drivingly connected to respective steerable wheels; a differential gear unit differentially connecting the drive shafts to each other; a transaxle casing having an opening, the transaxle casing incorporating the differential gear unit and the drive shafts; a cover for covering the opening of the transaxle casing; a variable hydraulic motor having a movable swash plate, the hydraulic motor being provided on the inside of the cover; a motor control mechanism for controlling the movable swash plate, the motor control mechanism being provided on the outside of the cover; and a hydraulic oil port for oil supply and delivery to and from the hydraulic motor, the hydraulic oil port being provided on the outside of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Irikura, Norihiro Ishii, Shigenori Sakikawa
  • Patent number: 7328955
    Abstract: When supplied with a signal for correcting a vehicle behavior is input from a brake controller, an electrically-driven parking brake controller releases actuation of an electrically-driven parking brake when the electrically-driven parking brake is actuated. When supplied with a brake control amount when abnormality occurs in a main brake system is input the electrically-driven parking brake controller drives electric motors to generate the brake control amount concerned. Furthermore, when supplied with the brake control amount of the electrically-driven parking brake 30 from an ACC system, the electrically-driven parking brake controller drives the electric motors to generate the brake control amount concerned. The front-and-rear driving force distribution controller directly couples the front shaft and the rear shaft when the electrically-driven parking brake is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuichiro Tsukasaki
  • Patent number: RE41410
    Abstract: If a driver of a vehicle has slowed-down the vehicle, a deceleration controller does not apply deceleration to the vehicle within a specified time after the driver has finished slowing-down of the vehicle. The deceleration controller is a device that automatically decelerates the vehicle if a distance between the vehicle and another vehicle running in front of the vehicle is less than a specific distance to avoid collision of the two vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masato Seki