Interrelated power delivery controls – including engine control – Transmission control – Transmission controlled by engine
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-02
2001-12-04
Marmor, Charles A (Department: 3681)
Interrelated power delivery controls, including engine control
Transmission control
Transmission controlled by engine
C074S335000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325743
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control method/system for controlling upshifting in an at least partially automated mechanical transmission system. In particular, the present invention relates to the control of upshifting in a vehicular automated mechanical transmission system wherein the system senses conditions indicative of an upshift from a currently engaged gear ratio (GR) and evaluates, in sequence, the desirability of skip upshifts and then single upshifts and commands upshifts deemed desirable.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Fully or partially automated mechanical transmission systems for vehicular use are known in the prior art, as may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,361,060; 4,648,290; 4,722,248; 4,850,236; 5,389,053; 5,487,004; 5,435,212 and 5,755,639. The use of engine brakes (also known as compression brakes, exhaust brakes or Jake brakes) or other input shaft retarding devices, such as inertia brakes, and transmission controls utilizing same are known in the prior art, as may be seen by reference to U.S. Pats. Nos. 5,086,659; 5,409,432; 5,425,689 and 5,713,445.
Control, for automated mechanical transmission systems, especially wherein shifting is accomplished while maintaining the master clutch engaged, wherein single and/or skip shift feasibility is evaluated are known in the prior art, as may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,576,065; 4,916,979; 5,335,566; 5,425,689; 5,272,939; 5,479,345; 5,533,946; 5,582,069; 5,620,392; 5,489,247; 5,490,063 and 5,509,867, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The control of the present invention provides a control for a vehicular automated mechanical transmission system which will sense conditions indicative of upshifting from a currently engaged gear ratio, and will evaluate, in sequence, the desirability of large skip upshifts, then single skip upshifts, and then single upshifts, and will command an upshift to the first target ratio deemed to be desirable under current vehicle operating conditions.
The foregoing is accomplished, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, by setting (i) a maximum acceptable shift time for completing upshifts and (ii) upshift feasibility rules to determine if a proposed upshift is feasible under current vehicle operating conditions. The upshift feasibility rules comprise a two-part test, (a) can the upshift be completed above a minimum engine speed? and (b) when completed, will the engine, in the target ratio, provide sufficient torque at the drive wheels to allow at least a minimum vehicle acceleration?
Large skip upshifts (i.e., upshifts from GR to GR+3) and then single skip upshifts (i.e., upshifts to GR+2) and then single upshifts (i.e., upshifts to GR+1) are evaluated to determine if (i) they can be completed within the maximum acceptable shift time and (ii) if they are feasible. If an evaluated upshift meets both tests, it is desirable and is commanded.
Alternatively, if the evaluated skip upshift meets both tests, it is desirable and is commanded, and if a skip shift is not desirable, a single upshift (i.e., upshifts to GR+1) is evaluated for feasibility (only) and commanded if feasible.
Accordingly, an improved upshift control for automated mechanical transmissions is provided which will automatically evaluate and command desirable skip and then single upshifts.
This and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in connection with the attached drawings.
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Amsallen Marcel
Genise Thomas A.
Janecke Daniel P.
Eaton Corporation
Gordon Howard D.
Marmor Charles A
Pang Roger
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