The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 30, 2016
Filed:
Jul. 19, 2013
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, JP;
Hiroki Matsui, Ebina, JP;
Haruhisa Tsuchikawa, Yokohama, JP;
Katsuhiro Matsuo, Isehara, JP;
Masami Suzuki, Mishima, JP;
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Yokohama, JP;
Abstract
A neutral determination device is provided with an inhibitor switch and a controller. The inhibitor switch outputs an inhibitor switch signal that indicates a vehicle running range of a vehicle. The controller is programmed to execute a neutral determination process upon determining the vehicle running range exists based on the inhibitor switch signal and a rotational speed control is being performed on a motor that is configured to output a force that drives the vehicle. The controller is programmed to determine existence of a neutral state of a control valve that is configured to selectively supply a control hydraulic pressure to a hydraulic pressure chamber of the clutch upon determining that a motor torque during the rotational speed control is smaller than an estimated motor torque based on a target transmission torque capacity of a clutch that selectively connects and disconnects the motor to and from a drive wheel.