Interrelated power delivery controls – including engine control – Transmission control – Engine controlled by transmission
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-21
2001-05-15
Estremsky, Sherry (Department: 3681)
Interrelated power delivery controls, including engine control
Transmission control
Engine controlled by transmission
C477S155000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06231477
ABSTRACT:
I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for providing an automatic transmission, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for providing an apparatus and method for changing the operating characteristics 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.
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 first and second automatic shift modes for an automatic transmission is provided. The apparatus includes an input device adapted to produce one of a first and second mode signals in response to manipulation by a driver. A plurality of sensors is coupled to the automatic transmission. The sensors sense a plurality of parameters related to the automatic transmission and produce a plurality of respective sensor signals. A controller is coupled to the automatic transmission and the input device. The controller is adapted to receive the sensor signals and the one of the first and second mode signals and automatically shift the automatic transmission in response to the sensor signals and the one of the first and second mode signals. The controller is programmed to provide first and second sets of operating characteristics for automatic operation of the automatic transmission in response to receiving the first and second mode signals, respectively. The first and second sets of operating characteristics include engine management characteristics.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method for providing first and second automatic shift modes for an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes the steps of receiving one of a first and second mode signals in response to selection by a driver and sensing a plurality of parameters related to the automatic transmission and producing a plurality of respective sensor signals. The method further includes the step of receiving the sensor signals and the one of the first and second mode signals, automatically shifting the automatic transmission as a function of the sensor signals and a first set of operating characteristics in response to receiving the first mode signal and a second set of operating characteristics in response to receiving the second mode signals. The first and second sets of operating characteristics include engine management characteristics.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4565267 (1986-01-01), Nishikawa et al.
patent: 4875391 (1989-10-01), Leising et al.
patent: 4984484 (1991-01-01), Fujiwara et al.
patent: 5125486 (1992-06-01), Murata
patent: 5224398 (1993-07-01), Sasaki
patent: 5269204 (1993-12-01), Moroto et al.
patent: 5393275 (1995-02-01), Okada et al.
patent: 5396420 (1995-03-01), Graf
patent: 5425686 (1995-06-01), Grange
patent: 5509322 (1996-04-01), Anderson et al.
patent: 5620393 (1997-04-01), Minowa et al.
patent: 5680307 (1997-10-01), Issa et al.
patent: 5683327 (1997-11-01), Inuzuka et al.
patent: 5722292 (1998-03-01), Anderson et al.
patent: 5767769 (1998-06-01), Issa
patent: 5885187 (1999-03-01), Tabata
patent: 6006151 (1999-12-01), Graf
patent: 6035735 (2000-03-01), Graf et al.
patent: 4233938 (1992-10-01), None
patent: 11-22500 (1999-01-01), None
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—Lancia's new four-speed electronic transmission—the Dedra 2.0 i.e.” article, p. 105, Automotive Industries, Sep. 1992.
Czarnecki Edward W.
Hollingsworth Rita D.
Miller Scott A.
Rzepecki, II John M.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Estremsky Sherry
Schurupoff Larry
LandOfFree
Apparatus and method for providing automatic shift modes in... 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 providing automatic shift modes in..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus and method for providing automatic shift modes in... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2571816