Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Continental Automotive Systems Corporation

Joseph Brian Burtch

John E Marano

Jesse B Bradley

Zhen J Zhang

Mark A Vernacchia

Michael Douglas Rizzo

Jonathan P Kish

Sahm E Litkouhi

Jennifer A Moschetta

A system for assisting in the opening of a vehicle door includes a camera disposed on the vehicle for obtaining a plurality of images of an object at the periphery of the vehicle. The example system includes a controller which is configured to determine a distance between the object and a door of the vehicle based on the plurality of images and to initiate a vehicle response based on the distance.

Door opening aid systems and methods

A method of controlling a variator that requires clamping pressure between a first component and a second component to transfer torque therebetween, such as a continuously variable transmission, includes calculating a theoretical clamping pressure, and multiplying the theoretical clamping pressure by a multiplier to define a commanded clamping pressure. The multiplier includes a value that is variable between a minimum multiplier value and a maximum multiplier value. The value of the multiplier is based on current operating conditions of the variator. The commanded clamping pressure is applied to the first component and the second component to generate friction and transfer torque between the first component and the second component.

Method of controlling a variator

A transmission for a motor vehicle with an engine includes a transmission housing and a dual clutch assembly with a clutch housing connectable to an engine output member. The clutch housing is rotationally supported within the transmission housing. The selective engagement of the dual clutch assembly interconnects the dual clutch housing with at least one of a first input member and a second input member. The transmission also includes a plurality of gear sets associated with various forward and reverse gear ratios, a controller implemented with an algorithm that provides a lock-up profile for the dual clutch assembly, and a plurality of synchronizer assemblies that couple at least one of the gear sets with at least one of a first countershaft and a second countershaft. The selective engagement of at least one of the synchronizer assemblies establishes at least one of the forward speed ratios.

Dual clutch transmission

A method of managing clutch thermal loads in a multi-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) that is paired with an internal combustion engine in a vehicle is provided. The method includes assessing operation of the DCT and ascertaining a mode of operation of a clutch in the DCT. The method also includes predicting, in response to the ascertained mode of operation of the clutch, an amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches a threshold temperature. The method additionally includes ascertaining whether the predicted amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches the threshold temperature is within a predetermined range of time. Furthermore, the method includes activating an indicator configured to signal that the predicted amount of time remaining is within the predetermined range of time. A vehicle having a DCT, an internal combustion engine, and a controller configured to predict thermal loading on a clutch in the DCT is also disclosed.

Dual-clutch transmission predictive thermal protection

A torque converter clutch control system of a vehicle includes a target slip module and a slip control module. The target slip module determines a target torque converter clutch slip based on an average number of activated cylinders of an engine during a predetermined period. The slip control module controls a torque converter clutch based on the target torque converter clutch slip.

Torque converter clutch slip control systems and methods based on active cylinder count

A method of managing clutch thermal loads in a multi-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) paired with an engine in a vehicle includes assessing whether the vehicle is being accelerated and ascertaining whether a position of a vehicle accelerator during the acceleration is maintained within a predetermined range. The method also includes identifying a DCT clutch that is being slipped during the acceleration, determining an amount of time remaining until the clutch stops slipping, and comparing a first preset time span indicative of the time remaining until the clutch reaches a threshold temperature with the amount of time remaining until the clutch stops slipping. The method additionally includes setting a time delay for activating an indicator if the amount of time remaining until the clutchs stops slipping is greater than the first preset time span. Furthermore, the method includes activating the indicator after the time delay.

Adaptable thermal management of a vehicle dual-clutch transmission

A method of managing clutch thermal loads in a multi-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) that is paired with an engine in a vehicle. The method includes assessing whether the vehicle is being accelerated and identifying a DCT clutch slipping during the acceleration. The method also includes determining vehicle parameters, determining an amount of time remaining for the clutch to stop slipping using the determined vehicle parameters, and determining an amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches a threshold temperature. The method additionally includes comparing the determined amount of time remaining for the clutch to stop slipping with the determined amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches the threshold temperature. Furthermore, the method includes activating an indicator if the determined amount of time remaining until the clutch reaches the threshold temperature is less than the determined amount of time remaining for the clutch to stop slipping.

A triggering module selectively generates a triggering signal when a vehicle is stopped, a grade of a surface is one of greater than a predetermined positive grade and less than a predetermined negative grade, and a brake pedal position is greater than a predetermined position. A brake actuator provides brake fluid to a braking system when the brake pedal position is greater than the predetermined position. A brake releasing module, after the triggering signal is generated, begins releasing the brake fluid from the braking system a predetermined period after the brake pedal position reaches the predetermined position. A brake applying module selectively operates a brake fluid pump after the triggering signal is generated based on a comparison of a vehicle speed and a predetermined vehicle speed. The brake fluid pump provides brake fluid to the braking system when the brake fluid pump is operated.

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Lake Orion, MI, United States of America

Joseph Brian Burtch