Method/system for controlling upshifting in an automated...

Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Transmission control

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C701S052000, C477S904000, C477S905000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06233512

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to improved shift logic for an automated vehicular mechanical transmission system. In particular, the present invention relates to a control method/system having logic rules whereby an upshift under certain vehicle operating conditions will result in temporarily modifying the shift schedule to minimize the occurrence of unwanted multiple upshifting.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Fully and partially automated vehicular mechanical transmission systems are known in the prior art, as may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,361,060; 4,595,986; 4,648,290; 5,109,721; 5,393,276; 5,409,432 and 5,425,284, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Such transmissions having an automatic shift mode typically base shift decisions upon shift point profiles or shift schedules, which often are graphically represented on a graph of throttle position versus engine or vehicle speed. It is known to temporarily modify these shift profiles in view of various sensed vehicle operating conditions to modify vehicle performance, for antihunt purposes or the like. Examples of such shift logic may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,361,060; 4,551,802; 4,852,006; 4,916,979; 5,053,963 and 5,406,861, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
A problem not addressed by the prior art shift logic involves unwanted, repetitive upshifting which often occurred after a desired upshift, typically a full- or substantially full-throttle upshift, if the vehicle operator then let up on the throttle. This problem is of special concern in light- and medium-duty trucks and other vehicles (MVMA Class 2-6 vehicles) having 5-to-8-forward-speed transmissions and utilizing gasoline or diesel engines having a governed top speed of about 2600 RPM, rather than heavy-duty vehicle diesel engines typically coupled to 10-to-18-speed transmissions and governed to about 1900 RPM.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a new and improved automated change-gear shift control, including improved upshift control logic, is provided.
This is accomplished by providing logic rules whereby, under certain operating conditions and/or operator actions, the normally utilized upshift schedule is modified to prevent unwanted, repetitive upshifts. By way of example, after an upshift, if throttle is above a certain reference value, the normally instituted upshift shift points are increased for a period of time or until engine speed falls below a reset reference value.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved automated change-gear transmission shift control system/method.
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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patent: 0273735 (1988-07-01), None
patent: 0857898 (1998-08-01), None

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