Method to control a solenoid's current recirculation path to enable a specific ECU design to be applied to multiple transmission architectures
US10495215B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 23, 2018 |
| Grant date | Dec 3, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 23, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H2061/026
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method for controlling a vehicle transmission includes electrically connecting a Transmission or Powertrain Control Unit (TCU or PCU) to the vehicle transmission, the TCU or PCU controlling operation of the transmission and having switchable power on a high side, and switchable ground on a low side of a plurality of solenoids in a shared functional grouping configuration, proportionally controlling an amount of current through a load such as a solenoid via controlling an amount of time current is being sunk through the solenoid to ground and controlling an amount of time current is provided via an adaptable recirculation path in the TCU or PCU, the recirculation path minimizing current decay when the solenoid is driven in an OFF state. The TCU or PCU having a single hardware layout, but being electronically adaptable to control a plurality of transmission types and solenoid architectures based on any desired functional solenoid grouping.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.