Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Transmission control
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-21
2001-03-06
Zanelli, Michael J. (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Transmission control
C074S335000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199003
ABSTRACT:
I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for manually shifting an automatic transmission, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for providing an apparatus and method for changing the characteristics of a manual shift method of an automatic transmission.
II. BACKGROUND ART
Automotive vehicles require a power train to transmit the force of an engine to the wheels of the vehicle. The power train's main component is typically referred to as the transmission. The transmission converts engine speed and torque in accordance with the tractive-power demand of the vehicle. Transmissions are generally, either manually or automatically actuated. Manual transmissions generally include mechanical mechanisms for coupling rotating gears to produce different ratio outputs to drive the wheels. Automatic transmissions are designed to take automatic control of the frictional units, gear ratio selection and gear shifting.
Vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions are generally easier to operate with a gear selection process generally adapted to favor fuel economy and smooth shifts. However, some drivers may favor the more aggressive performance and feel of a manual transmission in exchange for lower fuel economy and lower ease of use.
One approach has been to provide for manual shifting of the automatic transmission through a gear shift lever. However, previous attempts to provide manual modes of operation have provided a single mode of manual operation. One inherent problem in providing a single mode of manual operation is that the mode must balance performance and fuel economy, i.e., increased performance typically has a negative effect on fuel economy. Different drivers desire different trade-offs, e.g., more performance with less fuel economy or more fuel economy with less performance.
The present invention is aimed at overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for providing manual shift modes for an automatic transmission for a motor vehicle is provided. A plurality of sensors are coupled to the automatic transmission and the motor vehicle and are adapted to sense a plurality of parameters thereof and produce a plurality of respective sensor signals. An input device, responsive to manipulation by a driver, is adapted to produce one of an upshift signal and a downshift signal and a mode setting signal in response thereto. A controller is coupled to the automatic transmission and the input device and is adapted to receive the mode setting signal and the sensor signals and select one of a first and second manual modes in response thereto and to receive one of the upshift and downshift signals and responsively shift the automatic transmission in response to the sensor signals and the selected one of the first and second manual modes.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method for providing first and second manual shift modes for an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes the steps of selecting a selected manual mode as one of the first and second manual modes, sensing a plurality of parameters related to the automatic transmission and producing a plurality of respective sensor signals, and receiving one of an upshift and a downshift signal in response to manipulation of an input device by a driver. The method further includes the step of receiving the sensor signals and the one of the upshift and downshift signals and shifting the automatic transmission as a function of the sensor signals and a first set of operating characteristics in response to the selected manual mode being equal to the first manual mode and a second set of operating characteristics in response to the selected manual mode being equal to the second manual mode.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4875391 (1989-10-01), Leising et al.
patent: 5509322 (1996-04-01), Anderson et al.
patent: 5680307 (1997-10-01), Issa et al.
patent: 5722292 (1998-03-01), Anderson et al.
patent: 5767769 (1998-06-01), Issa
patent: 6035734 (2000-03-01), Le Van
patent: 6085139 (2000-07-01), Nakauchi et al.
patent: 6089118 (2000-07-01), Iishii et al.
1. “S-M-O-O-O-O-T-H: Saturn automatic combines technology and cost saving” article, one page, Automotive News, Oct. 15, 1992.
2. “Driving With Dedra-13 Lancia's new four-speed electronic transmission—the Dedra 2.0 i.e.” article, page 105, Automotive Industries, Sep. 1992.
Czarnecki Edward W.
Hollingsworth Rita D.
Miller Scott A.
Rzepecki, II John M.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Fuller III Roland A.
Zanelli Michael J.
LandOfFree
Apparatus and method for manually shifting an automatic... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus and method for manually shifting an automatic..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus and method for manually shifting an automatic... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2545843