Patent · US Expired

Combined system for assisting shifting of manual transmission

US5582558A · kind A · utility

79Cited by
64References
34Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 27, 1995
Grant dateDec 10, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 27, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16H2306/46
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A vehicle drive incorporates a speed control that assists an operator in shifting the transmission without requiring the clutch, or synchronization of engine speed. An operator is provided with a single switch that allows a prediction of the next shift direction, and also a request for torque elimination to begin a gear shift. The electronic control unit modifies the engine fueling to a predicted value to achieve a zero torque load, thus allowing the operator to move the transmission to neutral. The transmission is provided with a neutral switch that provides a positive signal to the electronic control unit of when the transmission is in neutral and when it is engaged. Once the electronic control receives the neutral signal, it begins to modify the engine speed to achieve the desired synchronization speed. The operator is thus able to engage the new gear. Once the new gear is engaged, control over the engine returns to the operator.

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