Patent · US Expired

Variable electronically controlled shift points for a cruise control system

US5393277A · kind A · utility

38Cited by
4References
29Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 12, 1993
Grant dateFeb 28, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 12, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16H2061/0015
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An engine-transmission control system is disclosed which provides for variable shift points of a manual/automatic transmission during cruise control and non-cruise control operation of the vehicle. Vehicle speed, engine speed, and engine loading are variables used individually or in combination in order to determine when shifting of the automatically controllable gear ratio operation states of the manual/automatic transmission will occur. In addition, the system includes modes of operation which include algorithms for determining varying gear shift points so that gear shifting of the top two gears occurs at various vehicle speeds dependent upon input parameters to the cruise control system and additionally in response to which cruise control mode of operation is currently selected by the driver. In addition, control of the automatic shifting of the manual/automatic transmission when the cruise control system is inactive or disabled is determined according to algorithms designed to optimize fuel economy as well as improve driveability of the vehicle and reduce driver fatigue.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.