Patent US5601510A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5601510A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Failure detecting system and method for automatic transmission
Assignee: Subaru Corp
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Filing: 1995-06-15
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Granted: 1997-02-11
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Expires: 2015-06-15
Abstract
Abstract A sensor failure and erroneous signal detection system for use in automobiles equipped with cruise control. This system prevents cruise control from operating if certain predetermined conditions occur. Further, the system will determine if the cruise control signal has been erroneously generated and set up an error "flag". A failure is determined in the cruise control system if either one of the following conditions is present when a cruise control signal is generated: (1) the vehicle is traveling below a predetermined speed; (2) the brake switch is on; (2) the shift range is in "N", "R" or "P"; or (4) either (1), (2) or (3) continues for a predetermined period of time. Upon occurrence of (1), (2), (3), or (4), an error has been detected and the automatic transmission is instructed to return to normal operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Ryuzo Sakakiyama
- 👤 Kiminaga Shirakawa
- 👤 Kazunari Tezuka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:01
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K31/00; B60K31/02; B60K31/04; B60K31/042; B60K31/045; B60K31/047; B60T; B60T17/00; B60T17/18; B60T17/22; F; F16; F16H; F16H59/00; F16H59/02; F16H59/08; F16H59/10; F16H59/105; F16H61/00; F16H61/12; B60W; B60W50/00; B60W50/02; B60W50/0205; B60W2050/021; B60W2050/0215; B60W2510/00; B60W2510/06; B60W2510/0614; B60W2510/0623; B60W2510/0628; B60W2510/0638; B60W2520/00; B60W2520/10; B60W2520/105; B60W2540/00; B60W2540/12; B60W2540/16; F16H2061/1208; F16H2061/1224; F16H2061/1244; F16H2061/1248; F16H2061/1256; F16H2061/1284; F16H2312/00; F16H2312/02; F16H2312/022; F16H59/14; F16H59/18; F16H59/22; F16H59/24; F16H59/36; F16H59/38; F16H59/42; F16H59/44; F16H59/50; F16H59/54; F16H59/68; F16H59/72; F16H59/74; F16H61/02; F16H61/0202; F16H61/0204; F16H61/0213; F16H61/16; F16H63/00; F16H63/40; F16H63/42; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S477/00; Y10S477/906; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/19219; Y10T74/19251; Y10T74/19256; Y10T74/1926
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A failure detecting system for an automatic transmission control system of a vehicle, comprising: vehicle speed detecting means for detecting a vehicle speed and providing a vehicle speed signal indicative thereof; a cruise control unit mounted on said vehicle for controlling said automatic transmission at a cruising speed and for generating a cruise control signal indicative thereof; and transmission control prohibiting means responsive to said cruise control signal and said vehicle speed signal for prohibiting control of said automatic transmission by said cruise control unit, when said vehicle speed, detected by said vehicle speed detecting means, is smaller than a cruise control prohibiting value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A failure detecting system for an automatic transmission control system of a vehicle, comprising: vehicle speed detecting means for detecting a vehicle speed and providing a vehicle speed signal indicative thereof; a cruise control unit mounted on said vehicle for controlling said automatic transmission at a cruising speed and for generating a cruise control signal indicative thereof; and transmission control prohibiting means responsive to said cruise control signal and said vehicle speed signal for prohibiting control of said automatic transmission by said cruise control unit, when said vehicle speed, detected by said vehicle speed detecting means, is smaller than a cruise control prohibiting value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The failure detecting system according to claim 1, wherein: said transmission control prohibiting means prohibits control of said automatic transmission by said cruise control unit when said vehicle speed, detected by said vehicle speed detecting means is smaller than said cruise control prohibiting value and said cruise control signal is generated from said cruise control unit for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
113 words
A failure detecting system for an automatic transmission control system of a vehicle, comprising: a cruise control unit mounted on said vehicle for controlling said automatic transmission at a cruising speed and for generating a cruise control signal indicative thereof; an inhibitor switch attached to said automatic transmission for detecting a shift range and for producing a shift range signal indicative thereof; and transmission control prohibiting means responsive to said cruise control signal and said shift range signal, for prohibiting control of said automatic transmission by said cruise control unit when both said shift range signal indicates a parking (P) range, and said cruise control signal is generated from said cruise control unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
113 words
A failure detecting system for an automatic transmission control system of a vehicle, comprising: a cruise control unit mounted on said vehicle for controlling said automatic transmission at a cruising speed and for generating a cruise control signal indicative thereof; an inhibitor switch attached to said automatic transmission for detecting a shift range and for producing a shift range signal indicative thereof; and transmission control prohibiting means responsive to said cruise control signal and said shift range signal, for prohibiting control of said automatic transmission by said cruise control unit when both said shift range signal indicates a parking (P) range, and said cruise control signal is generated from said cruise control unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The failure detecting system for an automatic transmission control system of a vehicle according to claim 3, further comprising: failure flagging means for recognizing automatic transmission control system error when said shift range signal produced by said inhibitor switch is generated prior to generation of said cruise control signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The failure detecting system according to claim 3, wherein: said transmission control prohibiting means prohibits control of said automatic transmission by said of said automatic transmission by said cruise control unit when said shift range signal indicates a parking (P) range, and when said shift range signal and said cruise control signal are generated for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
114 words
A failure detecting system for an automatic transmission control system of a vehicle, comprising: a cruise control unit mounted on said vehicle for controlling said automatic transmission at a cruising speed and for generating a cruise control signal indicative thereof; and an inhibitor switch attached to said automatic transmission for detecting a shift range and for producing a shift range signal indicative thereof; and transmission control prohibiting means responsive to said cruise control signal and said shift range signal, for prohibiting control of said automatic transmission by said cruise control unit when both said shift range signal indicates a reverse (R) range, and said cruise control signal is generated from said cruise control unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
114 words
A failure detecting system for an automatic transmission control system of a vehicle, comprising: a cruise control unit mounted on said vehicle for controlling said automatic transmission at a cruising speed and for generating a cruise control signal indicative thereof; and an inhibitor switch attached to said automatic transmission for detecting a shift range and for producing a shift range signal indicative thereof; and transmission control prohibiting means responsive to said cruise control signal and said shift range signal, for prohibiting control of said automatic transmission by said cruise control unit when both said shift range signal indicates a reverse (R) range, and said cruise control signal is generated from said cruise control unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The failure detecting system for an automatic transmission control system of a vehicle according to claim 6, further comprising: failure flagging means for recognizing automatic transmission control system error when said shift range signal produced by said inhibitor switch is generated prior to generation of said cruise control signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
The failure detecting system according to claim 6, wherein: said transmission control prohibiting means prohibits control of said automatic transmission by said cruise control unit when said shift range signal indicates a reverse (R) range, and when said shift range signal and said cruise control signal are generated for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
129 words
A failure detecting system for an automatic transmission control system of a vehicle, comprising: a brake switch providing a brake signal indicative thereof; a cruise control unit mounted on said vehicle for controlling said automatic transmission at a cruising speed and for generating a cruise control signal indicative thereof; and transmission control prohibiting means responsive to said cruise control signal and said brake signal for prohibiting control of said automatic transmission by said cruise control unit when both said brake signal is generated from said brake switch and said cruise control signal is generated from said cruise control unit, and failure flagging means for recognizing automatic transmission control system error when said brake signal produced by said brake switch is generated prior to generation of said cruise control signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
129 words
A failure detecting system for an automatic transmission control system of a vehicle, comprising: a brake switch providing a brake signal indicative thereof; a cruise control unit mounted on said vehicle for controlling said automatic transmission at a cruising speed and for generating a cruise control signal indicative thereof; and transmission control prohibiting means responsive to said cruise control signal and said brake signal for prohibiting control of said automatic transmission by said cruise control unit when both said brake signal is generated from said brake switch and said cruise control signal is generated from said cruise control unit, and failure flagging means for recognizing automatic transmission control system error when said brake signal produced by said brake switch is generated prior to generation of said cruise control signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
145 words
A failure detecting system for an automatic transmission control system of a vehicle, comprising: a brake switch providing a brake signal indicative thereof; a cruise control unit mounted on said vehicle for controlling said automatic transmission at a cruising speed and for generating a cruise control signal indicative thereof; and transmission control prohibiting means responsive to said cruise control signal and said brake signal for prohibiting control of said automatic transmission by said cruise control unit, when both said brake signal is generated from said brake switch and said cruise control signal is generated from said cruise control unit, said transmission control prohibiting means prohibits control of said automatic transmission by said cruise control unit when said brake signal, generated from said brake signal generating means, and said cruise control signal, generated from said cruise control unit, are generated for a predetermined prior of time.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
145 words
A failure detecting system for an automatic transmission control system of a vehicle, comprising: a brake switch providing a brake signal indicative thereof; a cruise control unit mounted on said vehicle for controlling said automatic transmission at a cruising speed and for generating a cruise control signal indicative thereof; and transmission control prohibiting means responsive to said cruise control signal and said brake signal for prohibiting control of said automatic transmission by said cruise control unit, when both said brake signal is generated from said brake switch and said cruise control signal is generated from said cruise control unit, said transmission control prohibiting means prohibits control of said automatic transmission by said cruise control unit when said brake signal, generated from said brake signal generating means, and said cruise control signal, generated from said cruise control unit, are generated for a predetermined prior of time.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
56 words
A method for detecting a failure of an automatic transmission control system for a vehicle, comprising the steps of: detecting a vehicle speed and producing a vehicle speed signal indicative thereof; generating a cruise control signal; and prohibiting control of an automatic transmission when said detected vehicle speed is smaller than a prohibited cruise control value.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
56 words
A method for detecting a failure of an automatic transmission control system for a vehicle, comprising the steps of: detecting a vehicle speed and producing a vehicle speed signal indicative thereof; generating a cruise control signal; and prohibiting control of an automatic transmission when said detected vehicle speed is smaller than a prohibited cruise control value.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method for detecting a failure according to claim 11, wherein: control of said automatic transmission by said cruise control unit is prohibited when said vehicle speed is smaller than a prohibited cruise control speed and said cruise control signal is generated for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for detecting a failure of an automatic transmission control system for a vehicle, comprising the steps of: generating a cruise control signal; generating a shift range signal indicating a gear position of an automatic transmission; and prohibiting control of said automatic transmission if said cruise control signal is generated when said shift signal indicates a parking (P) range.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for detecting a failure of an automatic transmission control system for a vehicle, comprising the steps of: generating a cruise control signal; generating a shift range signal indicating a gear position of an automatic transmission; and prohibiting control of said automatic transmission if said cruise control signal is generated when said shift signal indicates a parking (P) range.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method for detecting a failure of an automatic transmission control system of a vehicle according to claim 13, further comprising the step of: recognizing automatic transmission control system error when said shift range signal produced by said inhibitor switch is generated prior to generation of said cruise control signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method for detecting a failure according to claim 13, wherein: control of said automatic transmission by said cruise control unit is prohibited when said shift range signal indicates a parking (P) range and said cruise control signal is generated for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for detecting a failure of an automatic transmission control system for a vehicle, comprising the steps of: generating a cruise control signal; generating a shift range signal indicating a gear position of an automatic transmission; and prohibiting control of said automatic transmission if said cruise control signal is generated when said shift signal indicates a reverse (R) range.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for detecting a failure of an automatic transmission control system for a vehicle, comprising the steps of: generating a cruise control signal; generating a shift range signal indicating a gear position of an automatic transmission; and prohibiting control of said automatic transmission if said cruise control signal is generated when said shift signal indicates a reverse (R) range.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method for detecting a failure of an automatic transmission control system of a vehicle according to claim 16, further comprising the step of: recognizing automatic transmission control system error when said shift range signal produced by said inhibitor switch is generated prior to generation of said cruise control signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method for detecting a failure according to claim 16, wherein: control of said automatic transmission by said cruise control unit is prohibited when said shift signal indicates a reverse (R) range and said cruise control signal is generated for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for detecting a failure of an automatic transmission control system of a vehicle comprising the steps of: generating a brake signal when a brake switch is turned on; generating a cruise control signal; prohibiting control of an automatic transmission when both said brake signal and said cruise control signal are generated, and recognizing automatic transmission control system error when said brake signal produced by said brake switch is generated prior to generation of said cruise control signal..
Claim 28
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for detecting a failure of an automatic transmission control system of a vehicle comprising the steps of: generating a brake signal when a brake switch is turned on; generating a cruise control signal; prohibiting control of an automatic transmission when both said brake signal and said cruise control signal are generated, and recognizing automatic transmission control system error when said brake signal produced by said brake switch is generated prior to generation of said cruise control signal..
Claim 29
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for detecting a failure of an automatic transmission control system for a vehicle, comprising the steps of: generating a brake signal when a brake switch is turned on; generating a cruise control signal; and prohibiting control of an automatic transmission when both said brake signal and said cruise control signal are generated for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for detecting a failure of an automatic transmission control system for a vehicle, comprising the steps of: generating a brake signal when a brake switch is turned on; generating a cruise control signal; and prohibiting control of an automatic transmission when both said brake signal and said cruise control signal are generated for a predetermined period of time.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-02-11 | 2000-08-12 | 2001-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-02-11 | 2004-08-12 | 2005-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-02-11 | 2008-08-12 | 2009-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |