Motor vehicles – Manually actuated controlling devices – With transmission control
Patent
1993-07-15
1995-05-30
Focarino, Margaret A.
Motor vehicles
Manually actuated controlling devices
With transmission control
477 81, 477 79, 74335, B60K 2004, B60K 4122
Patent
active
054194121
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention concerns a gear and gear-range selector for a semi-automatic or fully automatic motor vehicle transmission wherein a speed range is adjustable by means of the gear-range selector, in which the transmission can be manually shifted up or down by a single gear speed via the gear-shift control.
DE-A 40 06 653 has disclosed a gear and gear-range selector of the above mentioned kind. The gear-range selector with which the driver can pre-select different shifting cycles such as a fully automatic operation, a manual operation, a reverse travel position, a neutral position, etc., is optionally designed as a rotary or push-button switch. The gear-shift control, through which the driver transmits shift commands to an electronic control unit in the manual or semi-automatic operation of the transmission, is designed as a steering column selector or as a manually operable console selector. The gear most favorable for the traveling condition concerned is determined by the control unit from the speed, the load and the acceleration values combined with an engine performance graph and optically indicated to the driver. By actuating the gear-shift control into a first plane of motion, the driver releases the shift of the recommended gear. If the driver moves the gear-shift control to a second plane of motion, which extends across the first plane of motion, manual upshifts and downshifts of the transmission are released by a single gear speed. In addition, reverse shifts of the transmission can also be released by means of a kick-down switch provided on the acceleration pedal. The disadvantage of this device consists in that the operation of the gear-shift control designed as a steering wheel or console switch makes special attentiveness of the driver necessary, it being impossible for both hands to stay on the steering wheel.
Therefore, the problem to be solved by this invention is to provide a gear and gear-range selector which is easy to operate and enables the driver to fully concentrate on the traffic.
In a gear and gear-range selector of the above mentioned kind, said problem is solved according to the characteristic part of claim 1, by the fact that the gear-shift control is designed as a foot switch located in the foot area of the motor vehicle. It is possible with the foot switch, depending on the position of the gear-range selector, to release manual shifts by a single gear speed or automatic shifts into the gear speed that the control electronics have assessed as optimal. The driver can then fully concentrate on the traffic and leave both hands on the steering wheel during a manual shift or release of a shift into an automatically pre-selected gear.
The publication DE-A 37 17 675 has disclosed a combined gear and gear-range selector having a selector lever movable in two shift gates. Pre-selected positions in one shift gate are for a fully automatic operation, upshift limiting steps and a parking, a reverse gear and a neutral position of the transmission, respectively. The selector lever can be moved via a crossgate into the second shift gate in which the transmission is gradually and manually shifted up or down. The manual shifting of the transmission likewise requires great attentiveness of the driver who can steer the vehicle with only one hand during this operation.
The publication SAE Technical Paper Series 831776 "Automated Mechanical Transmission Controls"--Nov. 7 to 19, 1983, pages 2, 6 and 7, has disclosed a combined gear-range selector and gear device which has a selector lever movable in a gate extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The selectable positions include a position for a manual operation of the transmission in which the gear shift last engaged by the automatic system is preserved. In the manual position, the selector lever can be moved by hand in two different directions across the selector gate whereby the transmission is gradually shifted up or down. In this device, the driver must also seek an adequate position on the selector lever in which a manual shifting
REFERENCES:
patent: 5022509 (1991-06-01), Schweiger
patent: 5197344 (1993-03-01), Maier et al.
SAE Technical Paper Series 831776 "Automated Mechanical Transmission Controls"-Nov. 7 to 19, 1983, pp. 2, 6, and 7.
Schwab Manfred
Schweiger Klaus
English Peter C.
Focarino Margaret A.
Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
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