Apparatus and method for assisting gear engagement in controlling the automatic shifting of a manual-automatic transmission
US5638271A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 4, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jun 10, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 4, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H2059/6807
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An electronic engine control monitors engine speed, vehicle speed and determines various engine RPM values and RPM ranges used in fueling a molar vehicle engine to achieve desired engine speeds prior to and during an automatic gear shift sequence. The engine is coupled to a manual/automatic transmission that includes manually selectable gear operation modes and automatically selectable gear operation modes. In order to assist gear engagement of the automatically selectable gears, the engine is fueled to a series of predetermined RPM levels to rock the transmission gears into engagement. In so doing, throttle control by the operator is first inhibited and the engine is first governed to a synchronous RPM value. Throttle control is returned to the operator if gear engagement is verified within a first predetermined delay period. If gear engagement is not verified, the engine RPM is periodically increased or decreased, depending on whether an upshift or downshift is attempted, and throttle control is returned to the operator if gear engagement is verified within a second or third predetermined delay period. If gear engagement is still not verified, the engine RPM is returned to the sy…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.