Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for selecting shift points in an automated mechanical transmission

US5479345A · kind A · utility

29Cited by
9References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 2, 1993
Grant dateDec 26, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 2, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16H2061/022
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and apparatus for selecting gear shift points wherein vehicle speed and grade are monitored by :sensors which provide data which is used to calculate vehicle acceleration adjusted to compensate for the effect of vehicle grade. A gross vehicle weight value is determined from the adjusted acceleration value. Based on the determined gross vehicle weight and the existing grade, the horse power required to sustain the current GVW and grade with zero acceleration is calculated. Also the current GVW and grade are used to determine the rate of vehicle speed loss during the torque interrupt period in order to predict the engine speed in the new gear and calculate the horse power available from the engine at shift completion. If the predicted engine speed is above a predetermined minimum and if the horse power available from the engine at completion of the shift is equal to or greater than the horse power required to maintain the current vehicle speed, the shift is permitted, otherwise the shift is not permitted and the measurements and calculations necessary to make the shift point decision are repeated. The minimum predicted engine speed may be adjusted to reflect driver demand as…

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